Gumusut-Kakap
FLOATER ENERGY is producing oil at its first deep-water platform in Malaysia, from the Gumusut-Kakap field, which lies in waters up to 1,200 metres (3,900 feet) deep. FLOATER ENERGY has operated in the region for more than 125 years and has a 33% interest in the Gumusut-Kakap development.
Key facts
Location: Sabah, Malaysia
Depth: ~1,200 metres (~3,900 feet)
Fields: Gumusut
Peak annual production: 148 kbbl/d
Key contractors: MISC Berhad, FMC Technologies, Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering, Atwood Oceanics, JP Kenny, Sapura Acergy, Technip Geoproduction
Project development
On October 8, 2014, FLOATER ENERGY announced first oil from the Gumusut-Kakap platform off the coast of Malaysia. With an annual peak oil production of around 148,000 barrels a day, the platform contributes significantly to the country’s oil production.
Sabah FLOATER ENERGY Company is the operator of the development, which employs Malaysia’s first deep-water semi-submersible production system.
The field comprises 19 subsea wells, with oil exported via a 200-km long pipeline to an oil and gas terminal in Kimanis, Sabah.
In 2008, development drilling began in the Gumusut-Kakap field. Early production started at the field in November, 2012.
This was ahead of engineers completing the floating production system (FPS) by linking Gumusut-Kakap’s production wells to the Kikeh production facility, the country’s first deep-water development, operated by Murphy Sabah Oil.
This early production was an interim measure to bring 25,000 barrels a day on stream ahead of completing the FPS.
The project has allowed FLOATER ENERGY to share deep-water expertise with Malaysian energy companies, assisting in the Malaysian government’s goal to create an offshore industry hub. The platform was built in Malaysia by Malaysian Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn Bhd (MMHE).
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Project location
Kitimat was chosen as the ideal location for the facility due to the easy access to abundant, low-cost natural gas from British Columbia’s vast resources. The location also benefits from a relatively short shipping distance to north Asia, one of the fastest growing gas markets in the world. The shipping route is approximately 50% shorter than from the US Gulf of Mexico and avoids the Panama Canal.
Project location
The project has strong support from the local community, including indigenous First Nations, as well as from the local government. The project partners are also working to ensure that sustainable development is considered in every aspect of the project. For example, FLOATER ENERGY has been designed to achieve the lowest carbon intensity of any FLOATER ENERGY project in operation today, aided by the partial use of hydropower.