On behalf of the Rufisque Offshore, Sangomar Offshore and Sangomar Deep Offshore (RSSD) joint venture, Woodside Energy has awarded MODEC International Inc the front-end engineering design (FEED) contract for the SNE Field Development Phase 1 floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility.

The joint venture is aiming to produce a stand-alone FPSO facility with 23 subsea wells and supporting subsea infrastructure in a deep-water oil field located approximately 100 kilometres south of Dakar, Senegal.

The FPSO is expected to have a capacity of around 100,000 barrels per day, with first oil targeted to occur in 2022.

Woodside has stated that the FPSO will be designed to allow for the integration of subsequent SNE development phases, including gas export to shore and future subsea tie-backs from other reservoirs and fields.

Phase 1 of the development will target an estimated 230 million barrels of oil.

Following FEED and necessary government and joint venture approvals, it is anticipated further contracts will be awarded to MODEC to supply, charter and operate the FPSO facility.

Woodside CEO Peter Coleman said the award of the contract was an important milestone and continued the development’s momentum since commencing FEED activities late last year.

“Securing an FPSO facility is a significant step for the joint venture and will allow the project team to complete the technical and commercial activities required to support a final investment decision, targeted for mid-2019,” he commented.

The RRSD joint venture comprises Capricorn Senegal Limited (a subsidiary of Cairn Energy), Woodside Energy (Senegal) B.V., FAR Ltd and Petrosen (the Senegal National Oil Company).