Arup Delivers the Malampaya Depletion Compression Platform (DCP)

Project completion ensures a steady supply of natural gas to the largest and most populous island of the Philippines

HOUSTON, Sept. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Arup, a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm with a reputation for delivering innovative and sustainable designs, announced today the completion of the installation of the Malampaya Depletion Compression Platform (DCP), a new offshore natural gas platform installed in the West Philippine Sea off the coast of Palawan, Philippines. Following the completion of Substructure Engineering Design in early 2014, Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) appointed Arup to provide engineering support services for the fabrication and installation of the self-installing substructure. The completed facility supports the extension of the Philippines only indigenous producing natural gas source, which provides 40 to 50 percent of the power generation needs for the island of Luzon, the largest and most populous island of the Philippines.

Arup's ongoing support during the fabrication and installation phase of the project, ensured that the substructure design was implemented safely and efficiently. Working closely with the SPEX site team and the fabrication contractor, Arup optimized the modularization and integration of the substructure in the dry-dock utilizing the 1,500 ton gantry crane specifically mobilized for the project. The complex soil conditions at the installation location required a novel seabed removal and rock replacement solution to ensure stability of the gravity based foundations. To ensure the design intent and tolerances were achieved, Arup provided technical supervision throughout these offshore works and actively participated in the installation planning and execution for the 13,000 ton self-installing platform, which saw the successful jack up of the platform in less than 24 hours without incident in February, 2015. The platform was successfully installed within the installation tolerance of one meter from the set-out point, ensuring the interconnecting bridges to the existing platform could be installed without any modification.

"The Arup team have been outstanding during the fabrication and installation of the new platform," said Martyn Turner, SPEX Engineering Manager. "Mobilizing resources as required from both their local Manila office and international Oil and Gas teams has ensured the project was delivered successfully."

Arup has been involved with this project since 1998 when it was commissioned to conduct feasibility studies and Front End Engineering Design (FEED). This led to Engineer Procure and Construction (EPC) phases for the initial development and included the Arup concrete gravity substructure (CGS) solution. In 2010 Arup was engaged by SPEX to develop the second fixed platform substructure. Studies were performed for floating stability, vessel sea-tow response, installation and ballasting sequence and post-installation wave and seismic performance. Arup's substructure design was an adaption of the firm's award-winning Arup Concept Elevation (ACE) platform.

"Arup was delighted to return to the Shell Philippines' Malampaya project in 2011 to engineer a second innovative and cost-effective self-installing substructure.  Our Manila based team, supported by our global engineering resources, integrated with the Fluor and Shell Philippine's team to execute the work," said Brian Raine, principal with Arup. "It is a credit to the capability of the parties and their spirit of collaboration that the project achieved best-practice performances while successfully installing the new facility on-schedule offshore earlier year."

In addition to designing the substructure, Arup developed the concept for the 43-meter bridge link connecting the platform to the existing CGS platform Arup delivered in 2000. The Arup construction phase team supported SPEX in a variety of procurement, quality and operational matters during pre-fabrication onshore and the critical offshore installation activities.

About Arup
Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world's most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. Its engineers and consultants deliver innovative projects across the world. Arup opened its first US office 25 years ago, and now employs 1,000 in the Americas. The firm was founded in 1946 with an enduring set of values that fosters a distinctive culture, intellectual independence and collaborative approach. The people at Arup are driven to find a better way to deliver better solutions for their clients. (www.arup.com)

For further information please contact:

Rebecca Maloney, LEED AP, CPSM
Arup
e [email protected]
m [phone]

Susan Shelby, FSMPS, CPSM
Rhino PR
e [email protected]
m [phone]

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SOURCE Arup