Cygnus Begins Jacket Fabrication

The ceremonial first cut of steel for the construction of the jackets on the Cygnus gas field project was celebrated today by operator GDF SUEZ E&P U.K. and partners Centrica Energy and Bayerngas at Burntisland Fabrication’s (BiFab) Methil yard in Fife, Scotland.

This latest project milestone involves BiFab’s manufacturing facilities at Methil, Burntisland and Arnish and is expected to create 100 new jobs at Methil and 15 apprentice positions will be created at Methil and Burntisland.

Lindsay Roy MP for Glenrothes and Central Fife and David Torrance MSP for Kirkcaldy witnessed the first cut of the steel, which will be used to build the jackets for all four platforms for the Cygnus field - the largest gas discovery in the Southern North Sea in the last 25 years.

After project sanction in August 2012, GDF SUEZ E&P U.K. placed a contract with BiFab’s Methil yard for the design and fabrication of the jackets, with the intent to place a future order for fabrication of the accommodation platform.  Three jackets will be delivered in April 2014, with the fourth in April 2015.  The BiFab contract covers the design, procurement and construction of the four jackets, completed with piles, with a total weight of approximately 8,000 tons.

Overall the Cygnus partnership is investing £1.4 billion (GBP) in the development of the Cygnus field which will create 4,000 direct and indirect jobs across the UK during the construction phase.

The Cygnus Partnership is led by operator GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd (38.75%) with partners Centrica (48.75%) and Bayerngas (12.5%).

www.gdfsuezep.co.uk

www.bifab.co.uk

www.centrica.com

www.bayerngasnorge.com