Aberdeen’s offshore engineering capabilities are enjoying a rising position in supporting fast-track deepwater growth in West Africa, as Altera Infrastructure highlighted this week on the Wider African Vitality Summit in Aberdeen.
Talking on the occasion, held in partnership with the African Vitality Chamber, Stig Bøtker, Altera’s Director of Enterprise Growth, mentioned the corporate more and more depends on its UK base to ship initiatives in rising African offshore hubs—most notably Ivory Coast’s quickly increasing Baleine growth.
Bøtker pointed to the Petrojarl Kong FPSO, now working on the Eni-operated Baleine discipline, as a number one instance. The vessel was redeveloped on an accelerated 24-month schedule, beginning in late 2022 and reaching first oil in December 2024. It at the moment processes 40,000 bpd of oil and 44 MMscf/d of gasoline, with the related gasoline supplying an onshore energy plant in Ivory Coast.
See additionally: UK offshore experience spotlighted as African producers pursue quicker oil and gasoline growth
Altera additionally secured $464 million in post-delivery financing by means of a U.S. personal placement—the primary transaction of its sort for a West African offshore venture—strengthening the business framework for future developments within the area.
A core focus, Bøtker mentioned, is increasing Ivory Coast’s power workforce and provider base. Altera has reached 85% Ivorian employment onshore and 46% offshore, supported by coaching packages, partnerships with technical establishments and hands-on growth aboard the corporate’s FPSOs.
“Strengthening native suppliers and constructing long-term functionality is crucial,” he mentioned. “It’s vital for us to proceed growing folks and increasing the area’s technical capability.”
Bøtker added that Altera is deploying emissions-reduction applied sciences already used within the North Sea and goals to supply extra gear and companies regionally because the Baleine venture grows. The agency sees further venture alternatives forward in Ivory Coast, the place the federal government is pushing for quicker oil and gasoline growth to assist home power provide.
