The platform for the TotalEnergies-operated Fénix development has been installed offshore Argentina in 70 m of water, partner Wintershall Dea announced Feb. 13.

First gas from the development about 60 km off the coast of Tierra del Fuego is expected in November 2024 and to produce for more than 15 years, according to Wintershall Dea.

The installation of the 4,800-ton platform was carried out in two phases. In January, the jacket was installed with four piles, followed by the lift and setting of the 1,500-ton deck topsides module.

Four vessels were involved in the installation of both parts of the platform, led by Heerema’s heavy lift vessel Aegir.

The deck was transported from the Rosetti Marino shipyard in Italy to Tierra del Fuego onboard the heavy transport ship HTV Interocean II.

The Fénix platform’s 2,500-sq-m deck consists of five levels: the helipad, the upper deck, the main deck with the wellheads and instrument room and the lower deck. The platform is designed to be operated from shore without the need for a permanent crew.

“With the installation of the platform we have completed the surface facilities part of the Fénix development project within the targeted schedule,” Mariano Cancelo, vice president of production and development at Wintershall Dea in Argentina, said in a press release. “Our focus will now switch to the next step, which is the drilling of three production wells.”

A jackup rig will be temporarily located next to the Fénix platform to drill the wells.

Fénix is part of the world’s southernmost gas production concession, CMA-1.

TotalEnergies sanctioned the $706-million development in September 2022, expecting it will produce 10 MMcm/d of natural gas.

TotalEnergies operates the field with 37.5% interest on behalf of partners Wintershall Dea with 37.5% and Pan American Energy with 25%.

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