McDermott successfully installs Scarborough FPU off the coast of China

McDermott has completed the offshore installation of the Scarborough floating platform for Woodside Energy, marking a key step in the preparatory maintenance phase of the gas project in Western Australia.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

McDermott International has completed the offshore installation of the Floating Production Unit (FPU) for the Scarborough gas field operated by Woodside Energy. This operation concludes the fabrication, construction and assembly phases conducted in China as part of the engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) contract.

A structure designed for long-term operations

The project includes a 30,000-ton topside and a 37,000-ton hull, making it the largest floating unit ever built by McDermott. Designed for long-term operation, the platform features 169 core equipment units, including three gas export compressors and three generators with heat recovery systems. It also includes a battery energy storage system to support operations during critical maintenance phases.

The topside was built at the Qingdao McDermott Wuchuan (QMW) yard, a joint venture established in China, while the hull was constructed at the China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) yard in Qidong. More than one million metres of cabling and 50,000 metres of piping have been installed on the structure.

Final preparations in China before transfer to Australia

Both structures were transported offshore in early May, then assembled off the coast of Dalian via a floatover operation. This method, which allows the installation of heavy modules without the use of cranes, represents a strategic step in the offshore logistics process during the pre-operational phase.

The FPU was then moved to the Raffles yard operated by China International Marine Containers (CIMC) in Yantai for final integration works. These pre-deployment operations are intended to prepare the platform for production at the Scarborough field, located 375 kilometres off the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia.

A platform prepared for maintenance in extreme environments

The technical layout of the FPU was designed to facilitate offshore servicing, with 568 integrated subsystems and accessible infrastructure for critical interventions. This setup aims to reduce production downtime and enhance long-term operational reliability.

“The completion of this phase reflects our commitment to the safe and structured execution of complex offshore projects,” said Mahesh Swaminathan, Senior Vice President at McDermott, according to PR Newswire on May 13.

Producers bring volumes back after targeted reductions, taking advantage of a less discounted basis, expanding outbound capacity and rising seasonal demand, while liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports absorb surplus and support regional differentials.
Matador Resources signs multiple strategic transportation agreements to reduce exposure to the Waha Hub and access Gulf Coast and California markets.
Boardwalk Pipelines initiates a subscription campaign for its Texas Gateway project, aiming to transport 1.45mn Dth/d of natural gas to Louisiana in response to growing energy sector demand along the Gulf Coast.
US-based asset manager Global X has unveiled a new index fund focused on the natural gas value chain, capitalising on the growing momentum of liquified natural gas exports.
US producer Amplify Energy has announced the full sale of its East Texas interests for a total of $127.5mn, aiming to simplify its portfolio and strengthen its financial structure.
Maple Creek Energy has secured the purchase of a GE Vernova 7HA.03 turbine for its gas-fired power plant project in Indiana, shortening construction timelines with commercial operation targeted for 2029.
Talen Energy has finalised a $2.69bn bond financing to support the purchase of two natural gas-fired power plants with a combined capacity of nearly 2,900 MW.
Excelerate Energy has signed a definitive agreement with Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity to develop a floating liquefied natural gas import terminal at Khor Al Zubair, with a projected investment of $450 mn.
Botaş lines up a series of liquefied natural gas (LNG, liquefied natural gas) contracts that narrow the space for Russian and Iranian flows, as domestic production and import capacity strengthen its bargaining position. —
A record expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG, gaz naturel liquéfié — GNL) capacity is reshaping global supply, with expected effects on prices, contractual flexibility and demand trajectories in importing regions.
The Philippine government is suspending the expansion of LNG regasification infrastructure, citing excess capacity and prioritising public investment in other regions of the country.
Caracas suspended its energy agreements with Trinidad and Tobago, citing a conflict of interest linked to the foreign policy of the new Trinidadian government, jeopardising several major cross-border gas projects.
TotalEnergies is asking Mozambique for a licence extension and financial compensation to restart its $20 billion gas project suspended since 2021 following an armed attack.
An Italian appeal court has approved the extradition to Germany of a former Ukrainian commander suspected of coordinating the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, a decision now challenged in cassation.
QatarEnergy has acquired a 40% stake in the North Rafah offshore exploration block, located off Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, strengthening its presence in the region in partnership with Italian group Eni.
The U.S. Department of Energy has given final approval to the CP2 LNG project, authorising liquefied natural gas exports to countries without free trade agreements.
LNG Energy Group finalised a court-approved reorganisation agreement in Colombia and settled a major debt through asset transfer, while continuing its operational and financial recovery plan.
Daniel Chapo is visiting the United States to encourage ExxonMobil to commit to a major investment in Rovuma LNG, a strategic gas project for Mozambique as TotalEnergies resumes its suspended operations.
Baker Hughes will expand its coiled tubing drilling fleet from four to ten units in Saudi Arabia’s gas fields under a multi-year agreement with Aramco, including operational management and underbalanced drilling services.
Indonesia Energy Corporation partners with Aquila Energia to develop two pilot projects combining solar and natural gas to power data centres in Brazil, under a non-binding framework supported by both governments.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.