AWE begins subsea tieback in New Zealand

AWE Ltd. began the Pateke-4H subsea tieback and installation project offshore New Zealand.

Map from AWE.

Pateke-4H is located in the offshore Taranaki basin, in the PMP 38158 permit area, which contains the Tui, Amokura and Pateke fields that have been producing since 2007.

The project got off to a start with the arrival of the DOF subsea diving support vessel, Skandi Singapore, at the Tui area oil fields located approximately 50km off the coast of Taranaki.

The project involves the installation and commissioning of subsea pipelines, manifolds and ancillary support equipment, in water depths of about 124m, to connect the Pateke-4H development well to the Tui field gathering system.

The subsea tieback and installation project will coincide with a two week planned shut down of the FPSO Umuroa for inspection and maintenance activity. First production from Pateke-4H is expected in April.

AWE is the operator of PMP 38158 with 57.5% interest. Partners include New Zealand Oil & Gas (27.5%) and Pan Pacific Petroleum (15%).