Having been selected to provide well decommissioning services by Tullow Oil in Mauritania, Petrofac, a global energy services provider, has successfully expanded its presence in Africa.

Potentially worth more than US $60 million, the scope of the contract will include project management, engineering, planning, plugging and abandoning of seven subsea wells on Tullow Oil’s Banda and Tiof fields.

Petrofac takes over from Maersk Decom, the group responsible for the subsea well decommissioning contracts, which has been prepared since 2020. By mutual agreement, Petrofac has been awarded the contract, and it will take immediate responsibility for the project, which is slated to start in Q4 2022 and run through Q1 2023. A Petrofac team will manage Island Innovator drilling unit and offshore support vessels, as well as provide all personnel, assets, and equipment for the project.

Nick Shorten, Chief Operating Officer for Petrofac’s Asset Solutions business said: “Today’s award is further demonstration of the international demand that exists for the skills and quality of delivery we have established in the North Sea. Since 2016 Petrofac has delivered three successful decom campaigns for Tullow Oil. We look forward to emulating this success for them in Mauritania, and across the African continent as we continue to grow our business here.”