Work finished on $70 million Pohokura platform project
Thursday, 11 February 2016
The Ensco-107 jack-up rig has demobilised from the Pohokura platform following a $70 million maintenance project.
The four-month project saw the remotely operated facilities and three of the offshore wells undergo inspection, maintenance and repairs.
Shell New Zealand chairman Rob Jager said after nine years of safely and reliably producing around 40 per cent of New Zealand's natural gas every year, the offshore facilities at the Pohokura natural gas field in North Taranaki underwent a refresh.
'This work involved scaffolding and screening, painting, welding, equipment repair and replacement, and well maintenance. The four month project was completed safely and with minimal impact on the environment,' he said.
**READ MORE:
* [Multi-million dollar maintenance project at North Taranaki's Pohokura gas field
](http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/73034206/Multi-million-dollar-maintenance-project-at-North-Taranakis-Pohokura-gas-field)* [Ensco-107 leaves Port Taranaki for Pohokura natural gas field
](http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/73751458/ensco107-leaves-port-taranaki-for-pohokura-natural-gas-field)* Final preparations being made to rig for Pohokura maintenance project**
'It provided substantial contracts for a range of local businesses such as Fitzroy Engineering and work for 250 people.'
Jager said the innovative project included the use of new scaffolding technology which allowed for full containment of minute painting debris.
The Ensco-107 would now travel to Admiralty Bay near Nelson where it was due to be transferred onto a heavy lift vessel and leave New Zealand waters.
Jager said now the offshore project was completed, the onshore Pohokura station would undergo inspection and maintenance in March.
'This work programme will again utilise a range of local contractors and provide hundreds of extra jobs over the month long project,' Jager said.