Boskalis secures oil and gas contracts

Two contracts are linked to the Nord Stream project, which encompasses the construction of two gas pipelines from Russia to Northern Germany through the Baltic Sea.Boskalis will prepare the seabed for the laying of the pipelines over the full distance of the Nord Stream pipelines, and also execute the shore approach of the pipelines in Germany.

The contract for the preparation of the seabed for the 1,220km double pipeline requires the construction of rock beds and berms using approximately 320,000 tons of rock to level and stabilize the seabed. The project will be executed in a 50/50 partnership with Tideway and be realized in 2010.

The contract for the shore approach for the double pipeline in Germany requires the dredging of a 23km trench for the pipes, a pipe-pull over a distance of approximately 800m and the backfilling of the dredged trench. A 650m cofferdam will be constructed on the waterline to protect the pipeline. The project will be executed in a 50/50 partnership with Rohde Nielsen A/S and will also be realised in 2010.

The third contract comprises the infrastructure, including the shore approach, for an oil pipeline from the Safaniyah offshore field to the mainland of Saudi Arabia. Boskalis will dredge a 7km trench and backfill the trench with sand after completing a pipe-pull. The project will be executed in 2009 for Saudi Aramco.

In all three projects, Saipem will be the lead contractor.