Kotug International has bolstered its fleet of offshore terminal support tugs in Guyana, mobilising three more vessels to the growing oil export nation
The Rotterdam, the Netherlands-headquartered tug owner has increased its fleet in Guyana to five by transiting 2018-built SD Grace, 2011-built Seaways 20 and 2013-built Seaways 22 to the offshore fields operated by energy major ExxonMobil.
These joined 2015-built SD Power, which started in 2021, and 2021-built SD Honour, which was deployed offshore Guyana in 2022.
All five vessels support tanker lifting operations at two floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units in the Stabroek block. Tankers load crude oil from these FPSOs and transport cargo to refineries worldwide.
These five support tugs also provide hose handling, fire-fighting, pilot transfer and oil spill response duties in the field.
“We are growing our presence in Guyana with more tugs we gained from our takeover of Seaways,” Kotug International’s Maritime Excellence Centre general manager Patrick Everts said. “These vessels support tanker loadings and position the FPSOs,” he told Riviera Maritime Media at Kotug’s Rotterdam offices.
With five FPSOs already deployed in Guyana, and more expected in the future, Kotug expects more support vessels to be needed in the future.
Kotug International chief executive and president Ard-Jan Kooren said the vessel owner has a long-term partnership with ExxonMobil.
“Our well-trained crews deserve credit for operating our vessels in a safe and professional manner,” he said.
Mr Everts said Kotug’s Maritime Excellence Centre provides training for tug masters, pilots and crew in various offshore and maritime operations worldwide.
All Kotug’s offshore terminal tugs have azimuth stern drives, and are equipped with dynamic positioning of class DP2 and have double-ended control abilities with winches placed forward and aft on the vessel.
Experienced crews, including Guyanese seafarers, have been recruited and trained by Kotug since the start of operations in Guyana in 2021.
All vessels are engaged in long-term agreements to support offshore production activities in the country, operating between Georgetown and the Liza Unity and Liza Destiny FPSOs.
ExxonMobil, which has discovered around 11Bn barrels of oil equivalent in the Stabroek block, has just started production from a third FPSO, Prosperity, in the block and believes six FPSOs will be in operation on the Stabroek Block by the end of 2027. Yellowtail and Uaru, the fourth and fifth projects, are in progress. ExxonMobil is working with the government of Guyana to secure regulatory approvals for a sixth project at Whiptail.
ExxonMobil discovered oil with successful exploration wells offshore Guyana, in chronological order, on Payara, Liza deep, Snoek, Turbot, Ranger, Pacora, Longtail, Hammerhead, Pluma, Tilapia, Haimara, Yellowtail, Tripletail, Lau Lau, Seabob, Kiru-Kiru, Sailfin and Yarrow.
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