Converted ONGC MOPU processes first oil from fields offshore India

Jan. 4, 2023

ONGC’s Sagar Samrat mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) has started operating at the offshore WO-16 cluster of four marginal fields in the Arabian Sea.

Courtesy ONGC

Sagar Samrat, the Legend, stands tall in its new Avatar as a MOPU in WO16 Field.

Offshore staff

Sagar Samrat jackup rig being towed to GPC yard for conversion

NEW DELHI, India – ONGC’s Sagar Samrat, which recently converted from a jackup to a mobile offshore production unit (MOPU), has started operating at the offshore WO-16 cluster of four marginal fields in the Arabian Sea.

The location is about 40 km from the Mumbai High complex off western India in water depths of 75-80 m.

As a MOPU, Sagar Samrat will handle up to 20,000 bbl/d day of crude oil, with a maximum export gas capacity of 2.36 MMcm/d.

The first oil from WO-16 has already been dispatched to the onshore terminal.

Sagar Samrat, built in 197, contributed to the discovery of Mumbai High in 1974. It went on to drill more than 125 wells, including 14 offshore oil and gas discoveries.

Eventually ONGC plans to relocate the MOPU to develop other discoveries.

The conversion project was originally awarded in 2011 to a consortium of Mercator Oil & Gas, Mercator Offshore and Gulf Piping Co., but it was delayed by legal challenges and latterly COVID-19.

Last April, the MOPU was transported to India on a heavy-lift vessel and installed close to the WO-16 wellhead platform.

01.04.2023