Audubon Engineering Co. LP will support LLOG Exploration Offshore LLC's Salamanca floating production system (FPS) project in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, according to a press release on Aug. 17.

Located in Block 689 of the Keathley Canyon, the FPS will be situated in a water depth of approximately 6,400 ft with the ability to tap the Leon and Castile discoveries. Once running, the platform will include facilities capable of processing 60,000 bbl/d of oil, 25,000 bbl/d of water and 40 MMscf/d of natural gas.

The engineering, construction, fabrication and technical services provider will supply LLOG with detailed design and procurement services, vendor equipment management, construction, pre-commissioning and offshore commissioning support throughout the duration of the agreement.

Initial production is expected to begin in mid-2025.

“Our history of partnership with LLOG goes back to 2006. As LLOG has grown from inshore facilities to offshore shelf to deepwater facilities, Audubon has grown with it,” Aubudon president Ryan Hanemann commented in the release.

“We are excited about the opportunity to extend Audubon’s growth in offshore service delivery while helping LLOG achieve its mission of safely exploring and producing energy from the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.”

Prior to production, LLOG will obtain ABS A1 notation for the platform to comply with CG-ENG Policy Letter No. 01-13, Alternate Design and Equipment Standard for Floating Offshore Installations, the release stated.

As acting project manager for the Salamanca FPS, LLOG will repurpose the existing Independence Hub rather than build a new facility – the first time an operator will have accomplished this feat in the Gulf of Mexico.

During the renovation, the hull, topside truss, cranes, and lifeboats will be reused with minor modifications, while all other topside equipment will be new and fit-for-purpose, according to the release.

Using the existing infrastructure will have a positive ESG impact on the company; the project is also anticipated to reduce emissions by about 70% compared to the construction of a new unit.

Offshore