PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Aug 3, CMC – The Italian enginerring entity, Saipem, has started its operations in Suriname for the offshore GranMorgu project following the arrival of the multipurpose construction vessel Normand Navigator.
The GranMorgu project, operated by TotalEnergies (40 per cent) alongside partners APA Corporation (40 per cent) and the state-owned Staatsolie (20 per cent), is located in the Block 58, 150 km off the coast, and represents Suriname’s first large-scale offshore oil development. It is expected to start up in 2028.
The contract awarded to Saipem in 2024 entails the engineering, procurement, supply, construction, installation, pre-commissioning and assistance for the commissioning and start-up of the Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines (SURF) package, at water depths ranging from 100 to 1,100 mt.
For the offshore campaign, Saipem will deploy a combination of S-Lay and J-Lay vessels, providing the optimal pipeline installation solution, while it will be deploying a dual-marine base approach to handle the significant volumes of equipment required for Saipem’s execution of the SURF packag.
In a statement, Saipem said it has in fact secured a major logistics hub at the commercial port of Jules Sedney Harbour. Spanning an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 square meters, this facility is dedicated to the reception, handling, and storage of all incoming pipes, equipment, and standard containers before they are loaded onto supply vessels bound for the offshore fields.
As the second pillar of Saipem’s approach, the DORDT marine support base, also in Paramaribo, will serve to receive, store, and manage heavy subsea structures and manifolds, keeping high-tonnage fabrications segregated and streamlined for deployment.
Saipem said that by utilizing local docks, material handling and transport networks, the subsea campaign will inject significant value directly into the Surinamese supply chain, confirming the country’s long-term commitment in the country.
CMC/ag/ir/2026