News & events

TEPNG FSO Upgrade Project  
On the 25^th of October 2010, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG) signed a Letter of Intent to Ascot to undertake an upgrade on the FSO Unity Odudu Terminal located at its OML 100 Block. The OML 100 Block is located approximately 90 kilometres offshore Nigeria and it includes the ODUDU, AFIA, IME and EDIKAN oil fields.

The FSO Unity, which is a Floating, Storage and Offloading Vessel was installed in 2003 is the oil terminal for all offshore fields operated by TEPNG.

The in-exhaustive scope of work for oily water treatment upgrade includes Verification of detailed Engineering, Procurement, Fabrication and Offshore Hookup as well as Pre-commissioning and Commissioning activities.

In Ascot’s continued drive and commitment to Nigeria’s Local Content initiative, the engineering will be carried out by Global Oceon Nigeria Ltd. 

TEPNG has demonstrated her vested confidence in Ascot even in these current and tough economic climes and Ascot takes cognisance of the fact that this project has significant impact in maintaining oil production by TEPNG and this affects Nigeria as a whole.

We reiterate our commitment “To become the foremost energy sector construction company in West Africa by partnering with stakeholders in providing superior engineered solutions.”

We get the job done. 

Resource Rental Agreement with Saipem on NGTL-SPDC
On Thursday the 22^nd of April, 2010, Ascot signed a Resource-Rental Agreement with Saipem for the NGTL-SPDC (the Shell Petroleum Development Company) project. The resources being rented for the project include equipment and personnel. The duration of the Call-Off contract is for a minimum of 30 days with the possibility of extension.  It is based on a minimum scope of equipment and personnel with options.

The NGTL is a National Gas to Liquids Project being undertaken by oil majors and in this case SPDC, in a bid to minimise the environmental impact from gas flaring in E&P operations. The Nigerian Federal Government has called for an end to gas flaring in all oil exploration and production activities in-country and all Nigerian E&P majors are now involved with the conversion of associated and non-associated gas to liquids and hence, the NGTL scheme. It is hoped that the exposure gleaned from our participation in this project will put us in better stead to get larger projects in the NGTL chain with other majors as well.

It is well recognised that our staff are invaluable assets to our operations and that we as a must, maintain a high safety standard off zero fatalities and no Lost Time Accidents (LTAs). We at Ascot, also place a high premium on our equipment. The signing of this contract therefore, is also a pointer to the high value placed on our resources by not only Ascot, but external parties as well.

Even though these are trying economic times globally and more so locally, the signing of this contract is also indicative of Ascot’s good standing in our industry with international construction companies such as Saipem.  This could be the start of a much longer relationship with Saipem as we work with them on various projects

We congratulate the team who worked hard to bring this project to the table and we also congratulate in-advance, the teams who will be involved with this project in one way or another.

We will endeavor to keep you informed on further developments regarding this project. We get the job done.

Addax Adanga Fabrication Contract
In February 2010, Ascot achieved her first Call-Off from Addax on the TB1919 Contract.
The TB1919 contract involves the fabrication of a Production Deck for the Addax Adanga Project. Barring any last minute hitches, we expect the deck to be loaded out to the Addax Adanga Platform offshore Calabar in Q4 (4^th quarter) year 2010.

This job is an important job and it shows the amount of trust vested in Ascot’s fabrication prowess by Addax.

Departure of the Ascot Bonny 1 for Escravos
On Saturday the 6th of February, 2010, the Ascot Bonny 1 (our Offshore Support Vessel) departed Choba to commence work at Chevron’s offshore EGP3A Escravos Field. She arrived the Escravos Field with the JW Powell, a survey vessel all in preparations for CNL’s GSEP Project.

The scope of work involves the Ascot Bonny 1 working in an offshore patrol capacity for 1 month after which she will transfer to assist our Ascot Forcados 1 also currently stationed at the EGP3A Escravos Field. In assisting the Ascot Forcados 1, the Ascot Bonny 1 will be working with the Ascot Forcados 1 in performing offshore as-built survey and Hydrotesting works.

Ascot vs. Isiodu Football Match  
On Sunday the 31st of January, 2010, Ascot held a friendly football match with the Isiodu community. Venue of the match was the Isiodu Community Secondary School in Isiodu Village. The match was held to have fun, foster good relations with one of our host communities. 

About 35 expatriates and OCN’s from Ascot were on hand to witness the event. As part of activities that preceded and marked the event, the Paramount Ruler of Isiodu was paid a courtesy visit at his Palace by the Ascot team and offered salutations. A large crowd of at least a thousand spectators watched the game, including chiefs and dignitaries from the community. 

The match which was played in a friendly and happy atmosphere resulted in a 1-1 draw. After celebratory greetings to the players, everyone (players and spectators alike) trooped to the Town hall where a reception was held and the outgoing CLO was applauded for his contributions in fostering good relations between Ascot and the community.

The friendly encounter with our Isiodu landlords is an indication of the good rapport that Ascot maintains with her host communities; it is also an indication that the objectives of our Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) with our host communities and one of our closest neighbours is something that we actively believe in.

Ascot seeks to witness more of such friendly encounters with our other landlords. We salute the fine men who made up the Ascot football team at the match and who did the company proud. We also salute the team of spectators from Ascot who took out time from their busy schedules to cheer their own and represent the company. Well done!

EGP3a Update 4
We are very pleased to announce Ascot’s progress on Chevron’s EGP3a Project in Escravos, Warri.

The Ascot Forcados 1 (our combination derrick and pipelay barge) was employed in the laying of offshore power cables from the Okan GGCP Platform to the Okan NWP Platform, both within the Escravos EGP3a Field. The cable laying portion of the project was completed on Sunday 6th December 2009 and involved the laying of 1,760 metres of subsea power cables and 12 pipeline crossings with some very difficult anchor positions.

The cable-lay and testing was completed with out any LTI (lost time incident). These targets were achieved through diligent team work. Ascot’s goal and commitment to the EGP3A Project is to make this project another success story safety-wise, time-wise and with lesser cost implications for the client.

The Ascot Forcados 1 is now being reconfigured to lay the 20" pipeline section.  

Ascot Bonny 1 Dry Docking
As mentioned in our previous new item, the Ascot Bonny 1 – our offshore support vessel went on dry-dock for her annual maintenance checks and repairs at the Ascot Floating Dry-Dock Facility on the 30th of October, 2009; she will be on dry-dock for a week. She is already sporting her new Ascot colors above the water line.

The Ascot Bonny 1 will be ready to be launched into offshore support mode shortly after undergoing her maintenance checks and repairs.

The regular and periodic maintenance check of our vessels is crucial to the life-span and well-being of our marine fleet operations; this in turn impacts positively on safety and efficiency in our operations.

Our appreciation goes to all teams who worked to ensure that the dry-dock of the Ascot Bonny 1 commenced on schedule.  We get the job done.

Launch of the Ascot Escravos 1 
On the 20th of October, 2009 our offshore pipelay barge – the Ascot Escravos 1 was launched after successfully undergoing her dry-dock maintenance checks and repairs at the Ascot Floating Dry-Dock Facility. She is sporting her new Ascot colors below the water line and in the next few months, this will be extended to the rest of the barge during which time we will complete the accommodation upgrade, followed by her pipelay capability.

This is the first time that our Dry-Dock Facility has been used for a vessel this size.

This launch is crucial to our offshore operations as it signifies that Ascot takes the regular periodic maintenance of her marine fleet seriously.   

The dry-docking and subsequent launch of the Ascot Escravos 1 also signifies again that the safety of our personnel, stakeholders and equipment is of great import at Ascot.

Our appreciation goes to all teams who worked tirelessly to ensure that the dry-dock of the Ascot Escravos 1 was not only performed successfully, but in a safe, timely and efficient manner.

The next vessel up for the Ascot Floating Dry-Dock Facility is the Ascot Bonny 1 for her annual checks. We get the job done.

Demobilisation from EPC4a UBIT GY Field  
On the 26th of September 2009, Ascot demobilised her services from the UBIT-GY Facility for ExxonMobil’s EPC4a Project. The phase of the project involved the fabrication, installation and hook-up of the UBIT-GY and GZ Flare-Out Decks.

The project timeline spanned 6 months from March to September and involved numerous load outs and movement of equipment from Ascot’s Site II Offshore Fabrication Yard at Isiodu and Onne to the offshore location of the UBIT-GY.

We are pleased that the project went hitch free and that our Ascot Brass 1 successfully completed this phase of the work for UBIT-GY. The deck was tested, fully functional and commissioned before our demobilisation and this resulted in a shut down of a flare that was consuming 15mscf of gas per day.

The size of this project shows the depth of confidence vested in Ascot’s EPIC (Engineering, Procurement, Installation and Construction) capabilities by our clients. We are rightly proud to be associated with this kind of work.

We get the job done. 

EGP3a One Million Man hours without LTI
On the 28th of September 2009, Ascot achieved the One Million Man Hours without a Lost Time Incident (LTI) or Days Away From Work (DAFW) incident on Chevron’s EGP3a Project. The award covered one year from June 2008-June 2009.

This equates to 356 days of operation without any Lost Time Incident, an impressive achievement considering the environmental challenges at the Escravos Site of the EGP3a Project. This is another safety feat that underscores one of our core values: that of absolute safety in our operations.

 At Ascot, the safety of our employees and all stakeholders is important to us; we must continue to ensure that this remains a top priority in our operations so we can retain a great measure of excellence in our operations.

An event was held to commemorate this event where Chevron showed recognition to Ascot’s team for there safety achievement.

We at Ascot are rightly proud of the achievement and salute the people who have worked every day to ensure the achievement of this milestone.  So that they go home to there families in the same way that they came to work but enriched by the experience. We get the job done. 

ExxonMobil's Contractors’ Safety Award to Ascot for Best Overall Performance for the year 2008
On the 23rd of September, 2009 Ascot received ExxonMobil's Contractors’ Safety Award for Best Overall Performance for the year 2008.

In this, Ascot led other indigenous and international oil & gas service contractors to achieve the prize.

At Ascot, safety is a core value. Because safety is key in all our operations, one of our top safety rules is: if the job is unsafe, do not undertake it. We believe that in any work we undertake, the safety of our personnel and all stakeholders alike is paramount to us.

As we all know, ExxonMobil is an international oil and gas major. This award therefore, highlights the confidence vested in Ascot by the clients we partner with in providing superior engineered-solutions based on a core value that safety is paramount and that ALL ACCIDENTS ARE PREVENTABLE.

Our appreciation goes to every person who worked hard to ensure that Ascot's safety rules were strictly adhered to even in the tough environmental operating conditions we work in.

We now have the opportunity to go excel even further. Let us continue to embrace safety as our core value in all our operations.

We truly get the job done. 

Ascot’s Environmental Awareness Programme for Isiodu Community Secondary School
On the 3rd of July 2009, Ascot held an environmental Awareness program for the Isiodu Community Secondary School. The programme which had 20 student attendees and 2 teachers was held at Ascot’s Isiodu Site 2 Fabrication Yard.

They attended lectures on health, safety, security and environment and were taken on a tour of Site 2. The students were urged to use tips gleaned from the environmental awareness programme in their environment and at the end of the programme, the management representatives from the school thanked Ascot for the awareness tips shared with the promise that all that was learnt would be put to practice both in the school and in the community.

ExxonMobil Dom-Gas Project
On the 22nd of May, 2009 Ascot recorded a success in recognition of our capabilities from Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU); we were awarded the domestic gas (Dom-Gas) contract by MPNU in Bonny, Rivers State. The Dom-Gas project forms an integral part of the Gas Master Plan.

The scope of work includes:‪
▪       Mechanical/piping construction works inclusive of demolition work on the existing 12" line.
‪▪       Instrumentation construction works including the installation of calibrated pressure indicators and associated instruments and the laying of fibre optic cables.‪
▪       Civil / structural construction works including road and canal crossing excavation operations, foundation footing excavation operations and workshop prefab works.‪
▪       Electrical construction works including electrical installation works, system interconnection, wiring and equipment.

The duration of the contract is 5 months. At present, our equipment is being mobilised to site in Bonny and work is set to commence over the course of the next few weeks.

We will endeavour to keep you posted on further developments regarding this project.

EGP3a Update 2
We are very pleased to announce Ascot’s progress on the onshore welding and pipelay work on Chevron’s EGP3A Project in Escravos, Warri. The current schedule reflects starting of welding 13^{th April, up through today (14th April)} we have accomplished 146 welds with out any repairs so the repair percentage is 0%. Our daily welding target with full crew is 30 joints of 24" pipes yesterday we had our best day so far of 23 joints so we are getting there. CNL has acknowledged Ascot’s work regularly in the weekly and daily meetings for the high performance and the quality and quantity of welds. The project completed a total of 738,750 Man-hours as of March 28, 2009 with out LTI (lost time incident). These targets were achieved through diligent team work; Ascot’s goal and commitment to the EGP3A Project is to make this project another success story.

Addax Subsea Contract
Ascot in mid November 2008, signed her first contract in her new identity with Addax Petroleum Development Company in a subsea technology support mode. The contract which started on the 22nd of November, 2008 is in OML 123 offshore the Calabar Adanga Complex in Cross River State. The Ascot Brass 1 was employed on this project.

Completion of the Addax 14" Pipeline Contract
On the 30^th of September, 2008, Ascot completed the 15 kilometre offshore 14” pipelay work for the Addax OML 123 field offshore Calabar in Cross River State. Our Ascot Forcados 1 was employed in a Lumpsum Contract to undertake the work. This work was performed during the wet season in treacherous weather and offshore terrain.  Immediately after the Pipelay, we have started another Variation for Addax which is the pulling of two pipeline spools with a length of nearly 234m.

Addax has complimented Ascot on the completion of the 14” line advising that this particular pipeline has taken them 3½ years to install.

We are also pleased to note this work was performed without a Lost Time Injury (LTI) to our staff and crew.

We congratulate the WB318 crew as well as everyone that worked hard to ensure the efficient and safe completion of both projects.

Addax Offshore Conract
On the 1st of July 2008, Ascot received a contract variation from Addax for the laying of 15km of a 14-inch production pipeline offshore Addax’s OML 123 Field. Ascot will commence the offshore lay of the pipeline within the 20th of July, 2008. We will employ the Ascot Forcados 1 in this undertaking. It is expected that the project will last about six weeks with possible extension.
The Ascot Forcados 1 joins her sister the Ascot Escravos 1 which has been with Addax since late December 2007.

This commitment by Addax is a further demonstration that Ascot has arrived as an Offshore Pipeline Contractor of choice for Addax.

Completion of the Addax 12" Pipeline Contract
On the 22nd of July, 2008, Ascot completed the 10.57 kilometre offshore 12” pipelay work for the Addax OML 123 field offshore Calabar in Cross River State. The Ascot Forcados 1 was employed in a Lumpsum contract to undertake the work which included a very tricky maneuver past the Knock Adoon FPSO.

The project was awarded to Ascot as a sub-contract from Maritimex Offshore Nigeria Limited.

The Ascot Forcados 1 on completing this line has moved on to work on the 15 kilometre stretch of 14” pipeline which was awarded as a Variation to the Original Contract also for Addax in the OML 123 field.

Addax has commended WONL for a job well done.