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ABS Signs Kazakhstan
MOU Strengthening Presence in Caspian Sea
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ABS
Europe President and Chief Operating Officer Antonio
Lino Costa (left) signs a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with Deputy Chairman for the Agency of the Republic
of Kazakhstan for Emergency Situations Vadim V. Oglov
establishing a formal framework for technical collaboration
between the two organizations for oil and gas operations.
Looking on is Kazakhstan's Head of Oil and Gas Control
Department Aitzhan B. Shagirov.
The MOU recognizes ABS' classification and certification
services for offshore oil and gas facilities in the
Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea, which is the northeast
portion.
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BS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the Agency of the |
Republic of Kazakhstan for Emergency Situations which represents
the Kazakh Coastal State Authority. The MOU establishes a formal
framework for technical collaboration between the two organizations
with respect to offshore oil and gas operations.
The agreement recognizes ABS’ classification and certification
services for offshore oil and gas facilities in the Kazakhstan
sector of the Caspian Sea, which is located in the northeast
portion of the of the sea and home to some of the largest
known oil fields.
ABS’ consolidation, he adds, addresses these impending
needs of prospective participants in the gas sector of the
energy market while continuing to remain attentive to the
offshore business segment.
The formalized working relationship establishes the region’s
compliance with the relevant Rules and Guides of ABS. This
includes plan review and survey work by ABS, and establishes
a streamlined process of alternative compliance with internationally
recognized standards as permitted under Kazakhstan legislation.
This further strengthens ABS’ presence in the Caspian.
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One year ago the offshore classification society leader signed a MOU
with the oil and gas safety agency Gosgortechnadzor (GGTN) of the
Azerbaijan Republic responsible for offshore development in the northwest
sector of the Caspian Sea.
“Formal recognition of ABS technical expertise by the Kazakhstan
Republic furthers our efforts in this region,” says Antonio
Lino Costa, President and Chief Operating Officer, ABS Europe. Lino
Costa pointed to a variety of ABS projects in the region. Notably
the Maersk Explorer/Lider, which became the first semisubmersible
deepwater mobile drilling unit built in Azerbaijan and the most
technologically advanced in the region as well as the world-class
self-elevating drilling unit Trident 20/Qurtulus. Additionally
ABS classed the world’s only Arctic-class barge drilling rig
the Parker 257/Sunkar which was not built for the Arctic
but to tap the great reserves offshore Kazakhstan.
Working in the Caspian Sea region means addressing the unique
challenges of unstable geotechnical features and a highly sensitive
environment, says Ibrahim Fawzy, District Manager, ABS Europe. Unusually
shallow at its northern end, very deep on its southern end, and
subject to fierce winters, this landlocked body of water is environmentally
sensitive as the breeding ground of caviar-producing sturgeon.
“The Kazakhstan area is most active in field development
work, but with water depths of approximately 20 feet, the dynamics
of floating structures and shallow hazards for moving vessels are
particularly challenging,” he explains. “The Azerbaijan
area has been active in exploration, with unique challenges due
to seismically active mud volcanoes, complex pressure regimes and
other unstable geotechnical features in some 3,000 feet of water.”
With reserves estimated at more than 50bn barrels located under
the shallow waters off the Kazakhstan and Russian coastlines, the
region with its huge oil and gas reserves will continue to be the
focus of international attention.
For a comprehensive profile on ABS’ work in
the Caspian Sea, see the spring 2004
issue of ABS’ quarterly news magazine Surveyor.
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