Woodside announces arrival of FPSO at Sangomar field offshore Senegal

Australia's Woodside, the operator of the Rufisque Offshore, Sangomar Offshore, and Sangomar Deep Offshore (RSSD) joint venture, announced on February 13 that the Leopold Sedar Senghor floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility had arrived at its final destination, approximately 100 km offshore Dakar.

This marks a crucial step forward in the project, initiating the next phase: the commissioning of the FPSO and the hookup of the 23 production, gas, and water injection wells that constitute the Sangomar field development phase 1. 

“The FPSO arrival brings us closer to first production, targeted for mid-2024. We are honored to contribute to Senegal's growth and are confident that this project will be instrumental in shaping the nation’s economic future," Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill commented.

The Sangomar field development phase 1 includes a stand-alone FPSO with subsea infrastructure, boasting an expected production capacity of approximately 100,000 barrels/day.

Woodside holds an 82% participating interest in the Sangomar exploitation area, with Senegalese state-owned Petrosen holding 18%. Additionally, Woodside has a 90% participating interest in the remaining RSSD evaluation area, with Petrosen holding 10%.

Key contractors for the project include MODEC for FPSO construction and operations, Subsea Integration Alliance for subsea infrastructure, and Diamond Offshore for drilling.

Although primarily an oil production project, Woodside also envisions exporting commercial quantities of natural gas to the shore. Woodside completed the acquisition of the entire participating interest of Sydney-listed Far in the RSSD joint venture in early July 2021.

In July 2023, the company announced an increase in costs and a revised schedule for the project.