Petrofac is in a race against time to get commissioning operations on the FPF-1 floating production unit (FPU) completed before sailaway from the Remotowa shipyard in Poland.

The FPU is destined for Ithaca Energy’s Greater Stella Area (SEN, 32/14) development in the U.K. North Sea.

Ithaca said that at this stage in the modifications programme the “critical path” to achieving sailaway of the FPF-1 is the completion of commissioning operations, which began during the third quarter.

“Full completion of these operations while the vessel is located in the yard is key to avoiding an extended period of more complicated offshore commissioning activities and delay to the startup of production,” Ithaca said.

Continued progress is being made on close out of precommissioning activities on the vessel, enabling the various topsides processing, utilities and accommodation sub-systems to be fed into the main commissioning programme.

Commissioning of the electrical switchboards that distribute power around the vessel is nearing completion, and electrical loop testing on the process control and safety systems is progressing well, the company said.

Internal vessel inspection activities are advancing, along with commissioning of the various utilities systems.

Preparation also is underway for the startup and commissioning of the power generators in the coming weeks, which represents a key milestone in the ongoing work programme.

Following the completion of various offshore campaigns during the quarter, all the subsea infrastructure that is required to be installed prior to the arrival of the FPF-1 on location is now in place.

Offshore