Helix Energy Solutions Group’s floating production unit Helix Producer I (HPI) arrived in the Gulf of Mexico on May 5, continuing preparations for oil and gas production on Helix’s Phoenix deepwater field in the first quarter of 2010.

The Helix Producer I has entered the Kiewit shipyard in Corpus Christi, Texas for installation and commissioning of topside production facilities following completion of its hull conversion in Greece. The vessel is designed to produce and export up to 45,000 barrels of oil per day.

The Helix Producer I is the first ship-shaped production vessel to operate in the Gulf of Mexico. It will utilize a disconnectable transfer system, allowing HPI to quickly decouple from subsea infrastructures in the event of a weather-related emergency.

Hin Chiu, Vice President of Marine Capital Projects, states “The Helix Producer I design concept offers distinct advantages over moored production facilities. Because it is a DP vessel, the HPI can evade weather events such as hurricanes, whereas platforms or moored FPSOs must endure the storms.”

“In addition, the HPI can stay on production longer, and return to production more quickly, because the crew stays onboard. Evacuations are not necessary,” Chiu said.

The Helix Producer I will undergo offshore commissioning, disconnectable transfer system testing and sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico when the installation of production topside modules is complete.