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GDF SUEZ E&P UK has awarded a five-year contract to Sentinel Marine to provide a new 61-meter multi-role Emergency Response & Rescue Vessel (ERRV) to support drilling operations in the Cygnus field, enhancing our marine support solutions for offshore projects.
The vessel will provide emergency cover and marine support solutions for this flagship gas development in the Southern North Sea. The 1,890 tonne ship, named Cygnus Sentinel, will be built in the Fujian Southeast shipyard in China, due to arrive in the UK in January 2015.
Jean-Claude Perdigues, Managing Director of GDF SUEZ E&P UK said: “Placing this order for the Cygnus Sentinel demonstrates our long-term commitment to safe and effective operations support in the UK Continental Shelf. At peak, Cygnus will provide 5% of the UK’s gas and ensuring the safety of our personnel during this project is our utmost priority.
Sentinel Marine has a proven record in emergency response in the oil and gas sector and we look forward to working with the company in our continued drive for safety.”
Jonathan Mitchell, Managing Director of Sentinel Marine added: “The Cygnus Sentinel is one of eight multi role ERRVs being delivered in 2014/2015 by Sentinel Marine. All eight vessels have a fuel and environmentally efficient design and offer the crews a high level of on-board comfort. The vessels will comply with pan European industry standards, which will allow them to work in all areas of the North Sea as well as throughout the UK Continental Shelf.”
Led by operator GDF SUEZ E&P UK, with partners Centrica Energy and Bayerngas UK, the Cygnus field is the largest gas discovery in the Southern North Sea in 25 years and will consist of four platforms forming Cygnus Alpha and Cygnus Bravo. The field is targeted for first gas in Q4 2015 with the first of the platforms having been installed earlier this month.
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GDF SUEZ E&P activities in the UK
GDF SUEZ, through its subsidiary GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd is an increasingly significant player in oil and gas exploration and production in the UK Continental Shelf. Since entering the region in 1997, the company has built up a substantial portfolio of assets in the Central and Southern North Sea, and West of Shetland, comprising more than 50 licenses, 20 as operator*. The company entered the UK onshore market in October 2013 when it agreed to acquire a 25% share in 13 licences located in Cheshire and the East Midlands from Dart Energy, which is operator of the licences.
GDF SUEZ E&P UK is the operator of the Cygnus development, one of the most significant undeveloped gas fields in the North Sea, and employs more than 300 staff and contractors in offices in London and Aberdeen. Cygnus is located in the Southern North Sea, 150 kilometers off the coast of Lincolnshire. It has gross 2P (proved and probable) reserves of approximately 18 billion cubic meters. First gas is targeted for late 2015, with marine support solutions playing a key role in ensuring the success and safety of the operations.
*As awarded by DECC
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ABOUT GDF SUEZ
GDF SUEZ develops its businesses (power, natural gas, energy services) around a model based on responsible growth to take up today’s major energy and environmental challenges: meeting energy needs, ensuring the security of supply, fighting against climate change and maximizing the use of resources. The Group provides highly efficient and innovative solutions to individuals, cities and businesses by relying on diversified gas-supply sources, flexible and low-emission power generation as well as unique expertise in four key sectors: independent power production, liquefied natural gas, renewable energy and energy efficiency services. GDF SUEZ employs 147,200 people worldwide and achieved revenues of €81.3 billion in 2013.
The Group is listed on the Paris, Brussels and Luxembourg stock exchanges and is represented in the main international indices: CAC 40, BEL 20, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe and Euronext Vigeo (World 120, Eurozone 120, Europe 120 and France 20). GDF SUEZ is also the main shareholder of SUEZ Environnement, an expert in water and waste management.
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ABOUT SENTINEL MARINE
In June 2011, Sentinel Marine was established to trade, own and operate offshore support vessels in the oil and gas marine industry. Currently operating 3 vessels in the North Sea, the Sentinel Marine fleet is set to expand with the arrival of Cygnus Sentinel, the first of eight Multi Role Emergency, Response and Rescue Vessels.
A further nine vessels, a mix of various sized Platform Supply Vessels (PSV) and Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessels (AHTS) will see Sentinel expand into other offshore segments. Sentinel endeavours to service the ever-changing needs of its client base and to provide flexible solutions to their shipping needs by adopting a cooperative relationship to match and exceed their expectations.