Construction of the FPSO topside for Azule Energy’s Greater PAJ development has started at CIMC Raffles’ Haiyang yard in China, one month after the project reached its final investment decision (FID).
The first steel cutting ceremony for the topside process modules marked the beginning of fabrication work for the floating production facility. Representatives from Azule Energy and CIMC Raffles attended the event.
Greater PAJ is located about 200 km offshore Angola in water depths of 1,500 m to 2,000 m. The development combines five offshore fields across two blocks: Palas, Astraea and Juno in Block 31, together with Urano and Dione in Block 31/21. According to Azule Energy, it is Angola’s first integrated cross-block development.
First oil is expected in the first half of 2029, less than three years after FID.
The project includes 17 wells connected to a new FPSO with a nameplate production capacity of 95,000 barrels of oil per day and a gas export capacity of 70 million standard cubic feet per day. Gas will be delivered to the Angola LNG plant through a new export pipeline tied into the existing Block 31 gas export network.
Project contracts have also been awarded for subsea infrastructure and production systems. Saipem secured a $1 billion contract covering approximately 180 km of rigid pipelines and subsea facilities. The scope also includes transporting and installing 38 km of flexible flowlines and jumpers, together with 54 km of umbilicals.
In a separate announcement, TechnipFMC said it will design and manufacture flexible flowlines and risers linking wells in water depths approaching 2,000 m to the new floating production unit. Baker Hughes will supply subsea production systems, while Vallourec will provide more than 26,000 tonnes of seamless carbon steel line pipes.
