The Ikalou Development Project represents a significant offshore oil production initiative in the Republic of Congo, owned by ENI CONGO and executed by SAIPEM-ROSETTI MARINO. TECON was contracted to provide comprehensive detailed design services for two unmanned drilling and production platforms to be installed in the Ikalou oil field, located 60 kilometers northwest of Pointe Noire in the Atlantic Ocean.

The project required the design of advanced offshore infrastructure capable of supporting oil production operations in challenging marine conditions. The platforms needed to accommodate both permanent production facilities and temporary drilling equipment, including a Tender Assisted Rig for drilling operations and a fast-moving Workover Rig for maintenance activities. The design had to account for the specific environmental conditions of the West African coast while ensuring operational efficiency and safety for unmanned operations.

Project Scope

TECON’s scope of work encompassed the complete detailed design of both the Ikalou and Ikalou Sud platforms, covering all structural aspects from foundation to topside facilities. The engineering deliverables included comprehensive analysis, calculations, and construction documentation for both the in-place operational phase and temporary installation phases.

Ikalou Platform Design

• Eight-leg jacket substructure designed for 45.3 meters water depth
• Structural design accommodating jacket weight of 1,200 tonnes
• Two-level deck structure with topside operating weight of 1,000 tonnes
• Four conductor slots for well drilling and production operations
• Lift-installed configuration optimized for offshore installation

Ikalou Sud Platform Design

• Eight-leg jacket substructure designed for deeper water at 51.4 meters depth
• Structural design accommodating jacket weight of 1,200 tonnes
• Two-level deck structure with topside operating weight of 1,100 tonnes
• Four conductor slots integrated into the jacket design
• Unmanned production facility configuration

Structural Engineering Services

• Detailed structural analysis for jacket and topside structures
• In-place condition design for permanent operational loads
• Temporary phase design for installation and construction scenarios
• Marine operations engineering and lift analysis
• Integration of drilling equipment temporary loads
• Foundation design and pile-to-seabed interface engineering

Engineering Approach

TECON’s engineering methodology for the Ikalou Development Project focused on delivering robust, cost-effective designs that met stringent offshore industry standards. The team employed advanced structural analysis techniques to optimize the platform configurations while ensuring compliance with international codes and ENI’s technical specifications. Special attention was given to the temporary phases of installation, recognizing that marine operations present unique challenges requiring careful planning and design consideration.

The unmanned platform concept required particular focus on structural reliability and maintainability, as the facilities would operate with minimal personnel intervention. The design incorporated provisions for temporary drilling operations, requiring detailed analysis of additional loads from the Tender Assisted Rig and Workover Rig equipment. TECON’s comprehensive design deliverables provided the fabrication yards and installation contractors with complete documentation to execute the project efficiently and safely.