Saipem starts the operation of Karimun Fabrication Yard

Italian-based turn-key oil and gas contractor Saipem International inaugurated its fabrication yard on Karimun island in Riau Islands Province on Saturday.

"This yard will facilitate the oil and gas companies operating in offshores of Indonesia to export their oil and gas products," said Hardiono, the Deputy Chairman of the oil and gas upstream regulator BPMigas when addressing the facility's inauguration ceremony, which was also attended by Widjajono Partowidagdo, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Michel Laine, Saipem's Country Manager for Indonesia, said that the 130 Ha fabrication yard has an installed capacity of 50,000 tons per year. It will become a fabrication facility for onshore and offshore structures, such as topside, jacket, piles, integrated deck, and module onshore.

Having a pier of 850 meter in length, the Karimun yard will also function as a marine and logistics basis providing maintenance services for all Saipem ships operating in the region.

"Then the Karimun Yard will in turn generate the local economy, creating new jobs, career opportunities, and new business networks, which all will improve the public welfare of the island and adjacent islands," said Laine. (romel)