On April 24, 2024, SAIPEM, an engineering and construction company for energy projects and infrastructure, and Africa Global Logistics (AGL), launched the construction of the preparatory subsea structures for phase 2 of Eni and PETROCI’s Whale project, in the workshops of CARENA, a subsidiary of AGL.
The ceremony was attended by the General Directorate of Hydrocarbons of the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, the General Manager of Maritime Solutions of AGL, the Directorate of Maritime and Ports Affairs of the Ministry of transport, the General Directorate of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan, Eni Côte d’Ivoire and its partner PETROCI HOLDING.
Once the equipment has been received, the work of AGL’s teams will consist of carrying out under the supervision of the SAIPEM teams, the cutting of the various parts, the assembly of the components, the welding of the material, the sandblasting and painting of the structures, as well as the quality control of the work. In particular, SAIPEM has entrusted AGL, after a call for tenders launched in October 2023, with the construction of underwater metal structures, namely 2 umbilical anchoring systems, weighing 80 tons, and 6 underwater fixing structures weighing about 120 tons, which will be deployed on the site offshore in a water depth of more than 1,000 m.
The manufacture of this equipment in Abidjan is part of SAIPEM’s local content policy, the objective of which is to maximize the use of local expertise and skills in its projects in the countries where the company works. SAIPEM thus intends to effectively and efficiently support the development of Ivorian human resources and social communities, the transfer of skills and technologies to local companies, the promotion of ecological awareness, and bring real and sustainable added value through its presence in the country.
With this in mind, AGL has mobilized a hundred employees for this project, including its teams of welders, slingers, crane operators, painters and national supervisors certified in the construction of metal structures for the offshore oil sector. The company involves local skills in the implementation of energy projects in Côte d’Ivoire. AGL was chosen to manufacture the project’s subsea structures for the resources and equipment it has, and especially for the direct access to the sea offered by its shipyard in Abidjan.
About Africa Global Logistics
AGL is the leading multimodal logistics operator (port, logistics, maritime and rail) in Africa. The company is now part of the MSC Group, a leading shipping and logistics company. AGL provides its African and global customers with comprehensive, customized and innovative logistics solutions, with the ambition to be “At the Heart of Africa’s Transformations”. AGL is present in 50 countries in Africa, as well as in Haiti and Timor.
CARENA (Compagnie Abidjanaise de Réparation Navale et de Maintenance Industrielle) is a subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics (AGL), created on July 30, 1953. This reference shipyard offers integrated ship maintenance and repair services, in accordance with international standards and the expectations of its customers.
PRESS CONTACT
Arsène YAPI
Regional Manager Media and Content – AGL Côte d’Ivoire–Burkina Faso
About SAIPEM
SAIPEM is a global leader in the engineering and construction of large projects for the energy and infrastructure sectors, both offshore and onshore. The company has 7 manufacturing yards, an offshore fleet of 21 construction vessels, 17 of which are owned, and 15 drilling rigs, 9 of which are owned. Saipem is oriented towards technological innovation with the raison d’être of “engineering for a sustainable future”. As such, Saipem is committed to supporting its customers on the path to energy transition towards Net Zero carbon emissions, with increasingly digital means, technologies and processes adapted to environmental sustainability. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, Saipem operates in more than 50 countries around the world and employs approximately 30,000 people of more than 120 nationalities. Saipem is present in Côte d’Ivoire through its two (2) branches: Saipem Portugal Comercio Maritimo (SPCM CI) since 2021, and Servizi Energia Italia (SEI CI) since 2022.