McDermott has safely and successfully completed engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning (EPCIC) activities for Shell Offshore Inc. (Shell), a subsidiary of Shell plc. This milestone enables Shell to begin oil production at its Whale development in the Gulf of Mexico.
Project Overview
Awarded in 2021 and completed last month, the project involved complex offshore operations in ultra-deep waters. McDermott leveraged its marine assets, including the North Ocean 102 vessel and the newly upgraded Amazon, to execute advanced pipelay operations. The team installed approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) of pipeline and 15 kilometers (9 miles) of umbilicals, connecting five subsea drill centers to the new Whale floating production platform.
Collaboration and Safety at the Core
McDermott’s global teams worked seamlessly across multiple offices to ensure project efficiency. Skilled engineering and procurement teams, following rigorous safety protocols, played a key role in the project’s success.
“The completion of the Whale project demonstrates the power of collaboration, engineering expertise, and ingenuity,” said Mahesh Swaminathan, McDermott’s Senior Vice President of Subsea and Floating Facilities.
Swaminathan added, “Our relationship with Shell is built on trust, operational excellence, and solution-oriented project delivery. Together, we overcame challenges and made history with the debut of the Amazon in the Gulf of Mexico, highlighting its strategic value for ultra-deepwater subsea developments”.
Amazon’s Role in Ultra-Deepwater Pipelay
Designed for complex offshore operations, the Amazon set a milestone in the Gulf of Mexico. It installed five steel catenary risers, each 3,350 meters (approximately 11,000 feet) long. The vessel’s high top tension capacity and advanced automation made this achievement possible, reinforcing its role in future deepwater subsea projects.
Advancing Offshore Energy Production
The Whale development is located approximately 200 miles southwest of Houston. It features a semi-submersible production platform designed for remote operations and real-time monitoring of almost every facility aspect. As per the press release, the advanced setup enhances efficiency and sustainability in offshore energy production.
