MWS for Nigeria’s OML13 Utapate Crude Oil Blend

Client: Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Ltd (SEEPCO)

Location: Nigeria

Sector: Oil & Gas, Energy Transition

Start Date: November 2022

Services: Marine Warranty Survey (MWS) for the marine transportation of assets and subsea installation operations

Project introduction:

The Utapate crude oil is a new grade of crude oil produced at Nigeria’s Oil Mining Lease (OML) 13. It was introduced to the international market in July 2024 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

It is known for its low sulphur content of 0.06555% and its low carbon footprint due its elimination of flare gas.

As a project, this achievement underscores Nigeria’s commitment to advancing environmentally sustainable energy production.

Production of the Utapate Crude blend began in May 2024, starting at 6,000 barrels per day and rapidly scaling up to exceed 40,000 barrels per day by May 27, 2024.

ABL’s operations in Nigeria were contracted to provide marine warranty survey (MWS) services to support the marine transportation and subsea installation operations relating to the project.

Scope of work

ABL Nigeria provided MWS services for the following:

Marine transportation of project critical assets
Subsea installation operations

The MWS scope of work included:

Vessel suitability surveys of the proposed fleet
Technical document reviews of operational procedures, drawings and calculations
On-site attendances onshore and offshore Nigeria
Certificate of Approval (CoA) for operations

Key features

Installation vessel used:

The DLB Sea Horizon, a multipurpose Derrick Lay Barge (DLB), was used for offshore construction activities.
Its 8-point mooring anchor winches, manufactured by Skagit, enabled precise position-keeping and movement along the installation corridor.

ABL provided MWS inspections and approval for the following project materials:

1: Jacket:

Weight: 325 tons
Dimensions: 12m x 12m x 21.7m
Features: fabricated steel substructure secured to the seafloor with piles driven through guides on its outer members

2: Mooring Piles:

Quantity: 3
Height: 3m
Diameter: 5.5m
Weight: 10 tons each

3. Deck:

Dimensions: Length 25m x width 14.6m x height 4.5m
Weight: 165 tons
Installed on top of the jacket

“Our team played a critical role in ensuring the safety,
compliance, and operational integrity of all subsea installation
activities. This included the inspection and approval of
key project materials, monitoring offshore operations, and
overseeing the transportation and deployment of assets,
contributing to the project’s success.‘’

Philip Atitebi, Managing Director ABL Nigeria

Our value

Expertise delivered by local office in Lagos, Nigeria

Centralised project management and document control for optimised project delivery

Market leading Marine Warranty Survey (MWS) since 1979

150+ years legacy in marine surveying

Marine Surveys, Inspections and Audits

ABL Group are world-leading providers in all types of marine surveys, inspections and audits, providing rapid marine assurance and risk support to clients anywhere in the world, and catering to vessels and offshore assets of any type and any size. Clients include vessel owners, managers, charterers, flag state, brokers, banks and insurance parties. Our global […]

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MWS: Oil & Gas

ABL Group has long and wide-ranging experience in supporting oil and gas infrastructure projects as MWS, de-risking projects offshore and onshore, of any size, type, water depth and anywhere in the world. Our involvement in MWS for oil and gas projects dates back to the early days of the market, approving marine operations on the […]