McDermott International Inc. (MDR) and Nakilat-Keppel
Offshore Marine (N-KOM) said they have a memorandum of understanding for an
exclusive cooperation agreement to pursue offshore engineering, procurement,
construction and installation (EPCI) projects within Qatari waters.
The five year agreement calls for collaboration on projects
that can utilize McDermott’s proven experience in offshore EPCI projects and
N-KOM’s internationally recognized ship repair and offshore construction
facility at the Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in
Qatar. Under the agreement, N-KOM will act as the subcontractor and facilitate
fabrication from its Qatar facility and McDermott will be the main contractor to
customers and will utilize its teams in Dubai and its Global Engineering Center
in Chennai, India, to lead engineering duties.
“Through this exclusive agreement, McDermott and Keppel
build upon our long-standing relationship to combine each company’s strengths
to benefit our clients in Qatar and increase Qatari local content,” Linh
Austin, McDermott’s vice president, Middle East, said. “With both our Dubai- and
Saudi-based facilities, McDermott is well positioned to address the continued
growth for the entire Middle East market. And now with this cooperative
agreement, we have an even higher level of capacity and availability.”
Within two decades, McDermott has fabricated more than 80 percent
of the North Field gas infrastructure and continues to see Qatar as a main
focus for growth.
“We are pleased to partner with McDermott, one of the
leading EPCI contractors in this region, to enhance our standing as a premier
marine and offshore service provider in Qatar,” Abdullah Fadhalah Al
Sulaiti, managing director of N-KOM, said. “N-KOM has delivered several offshore
construction projects, including a newly built liftboat. This agreement will
add value to our services in this area to better support the local oil and gas
industry in Qatar.”
