A STRONG operational performance and a rig utilisation rate of 8% helped Norwegian company Prosafe to an operating profit of $218.6million for the year 2009.
While this marked a drop on 2008, it was moderate, and the main reason was that the MSV Regalia was out of operation for more than six months in 2009 due to a major refurbishment aimed at life extension.
Looking ahead, the flotel specialist said in its annual results presentation that the future looked healthy.
“We expect a good long-term demand for semi-submersible accommodation rigs, with growth in activity in the North Sea from spring 2011 and in deepwater regions,” said the company.
“In the North Sea, the majority of the fixed installations is mature and requires greater maintenance and modifications to uphold production and safe operation.
Increased recovery and tie-ins of satellite fields to existing installations have extended the lifetime for many fields in the North Sea.
“Therefore, we foresee a good outlook for modification and maintenance projects over the coming years.
“Prosafe has secured several contracts in the North Sea for 2010.
“We expect that several offshore projects in the North Sea will require additional accommodation in 2011 and 2012, and we foresee higher tender activity in 2010.”
Prosafe said, too, that the market for semi-submersible accommodation rigs continues to be good in Mexico, where Pemex has high activity offshore in order to keep up production of the Cantarell field.