Boskalis wins ¢90 million offshore project in Argentina
A consortium of Royal Boskalis Westminster NV and Allseas Group SA has been appointed for the construction of a gas pipeline through the Strait of Magellan in Southern Argentina. The agreement was signed during an official ceremony attended by the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.
The agreement was signed by Nación Fideicomisos SA as Trustee of the Estrecho de Magallanes Trust and Work Principal. The agreement is worth approximately €180m, with the share for Boskalis amounting approximately €90m. The project is expected to be completed before the end of 2009.
The work consists of laying a new 24” undersea gas pipeline joining Cape Espiritu Santo and Cape Virgenes in waters outside the eastern mouth of the Strait of Magellan, Argentina.
The length of the undersea pipeline and shoreline sections is approximately 38km. The water depth (70m), strong currents and high tidal conditions create a challenging operating environment.
The pipeline is of significant strategic importance linking the gas fields in the south with the main gas network of Argentina. Boskalis will be responsible for the trenching and backfill of the pipeline in the nearshore area on both the northern and southern part of the crossing. Boskalis will also execute near shore pipe pulls and the landing of the pipeline. A jumbo trailing suction hopper dredger will be deployed for the project.
Boskalis has also been awarded a contract for the protection of a 7km stretch of coastline in Cotonou, Benin, West Africa. The project is due to start in the second half of 2009 and will be completed over a three year period.
It requires the refurbishment of an existing groin and the construction of seven new groins into the sea to prevent further erosion of the coastline. The refurbishment and construction will be carried out with dry earth moving equipment. The groins will be constructed using 600,000 tons of rock sourced from local quarries.
