Drydocks World has been awarded the contract for the refurbishment and life extension of the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel Baobab Ivoirien, which commences in May.
MODEC Management Services awarded the contract to the DP World company. The eight-month “expedited project” on the FPSO vessel will involve extensive structural enhancements, including 1 000 tonnes of steel renewal, 250 000 square metres of tank coating, and 11 500 metres of new piping.
The scope also covers enhancements to crew living quarters and integration of advanced technologies to boost its efficiency and reliability. Upon completion, the vessel’s lifespan will be extended by 15 years, ensuring sustained energy production for West Africa.
Drydocks World CEO Rado Antolovic and MODEC Management Services president Gary Kennedy attended the contract signing ceremony.
Antolovic said the award highlighted the company’s expertise in complex FPSO refurbishment and life extension projects.
“Our proven track record in executing large-scale offshore engineering works positions us as the ideal partner to enhance the vessel’s longevity, efficiency and operational safety. We are proud to support MODEC in ensuring the long-term efficiency and reliability of its FPSO,” he said.
The contract was awarded after a rigorous selection process to find the best partner.
“Drydocks World’s extensive experience in FPSO upgrades and their commitment to quality and safety made them the ideal choice. The vessel’s deepwater operations demand precise refurbishment and life-extension measures to overcome complex engineering and operational challenges while ensuring efficiency and long-term safety,” Kennedy said.
“We look forward to working closely with Drydocks World to deliver a revitalised vessel that will continue to play a key role in Côte d'Ivoire’s offshore production."
Originally converted in 2003 from an Ultra Large Crude Carrier (ULCC), FPSO Baobab Ivoirien was designed with expandable topsides to maximise offshore production capacity.
FPSOs like this are essential in deepwater operations, enabling crude oil and gas processing at sea before transferring resources to tankers or pipelines.
The vessel plays a crucial role in West Africa’s offshore production, with a processing capacity of 70 000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and 75 million cubic feet of natural gas. It can also inject 100 000 bpd of water and store up to two million barrels of crude oil.
Currently operating at the Baobab oil field, 25 km off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire, it will relocate to Drydocks World’s Dubai facility for its eight-month refurbishment.
