Construction is complete for Appomattox, Shell’s largest floating platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Take a closer look at the Appomattox project during its journey in the videos below.
Appomattox
Appomattox, a deep-water oil and gas project, is Shell’s largest floating platform in the Gulf of Mexico. In May 2018 the Appomattox platform left Ingleside, Texas, USA for its final location 130 kilometres (80 miles) off the coast of Louisiana.
Shell Appomattox - Hull Sail Away
Title: Shell Appomattox - Hull Sail Away
Duration: 3:47 minutes
Description:
Shell’s Appomattox hull is making its way to Ingleside, Texas where the final phase of host construction will take place. The size and scale of Appomattox are impressive. Assembly of this massive structure involved teams around the globe working to ensure the topsides and the hull fit together like a glove. Take a glimpse at the journey the Appomattox hull has been on for the last couple of years to prepare for its long and impressive trip to the Gulf of Mexico.
{insert title of video} Transcript
GRFX
Title - Geoje, South Korea
SOT
Sid Johnston – Appomattox Hull Site Lead
It was coined very early on that we’re on the amazing Appomattox, and I do truly believe that this is an amazing Appomattox
SOT
Sid Johnston – Appomattox Hull Site Lead
The Appomattox Hull is the largest floating production system that Shell has ever built. Weighing in at 40,000 metric tons in the current state it’s at.
GRFX
Text Overlay – 16 stories high, 2 football fields wide
SOT
Mark Kite – Appomattox Construction Team Lead
So when you think about it, it’s pretty amazing that something that big actually floats, but it does, quite easily.
SOT
Sid Johnston – Appomattox Hull Site Lead
The displacement of it is at 125k metric tons which is actually bigger than the largest aircraft carrier.
SOT
Mark Kite – Appomattox Construction Team Lead
It’ll be the biggest semi subermisble we’ve installed in the Gulf of Mexico.
SOT
Sid Johnston – Appomattox Hull Site Lead
But while you can engineer anything, it’s always a question of, how do you build this safely?
SOT
Irvin Tyler – Appomattox Construction Team Lead
I like to think that I’m here to help people go home safely to their families.We spend time before we even start executing the work talking about safety, talking about expectations, we do team building, we do engagement with the craft.
SOT
Sid Johnston – Appomattox Hull Site Lead
And try to limit our exposure to working at height, confined space, dropped objects.
SOT
Sid Johnston – Appomattox Hull Site Lead
We can do this today safely if we concentrate on our tasks, we don’t rush, and we work the plan.
SOT
Matthew Winters – Appomattox Project Engineer
The things that I’ve seen Shell do on this Hull are absolutely amazing. And I think when you just look at the scale, the size, the height… When you see it in person it really brings you a certain sense that Shell is doing great things.
SOT
Mark Kite – Appomattox Construction Team Lead
To see it finish, finish on time, within budget, and done as safe as its been done is really pretty gratifying for me and for the site team to have delivered like we have.
SOT
Sid Johnston – Appomattox Hull Site Lead
We’re going to finish up our work on the Hull, and get it ready for its long journey to the Gulf of Mexico…
GRFX
Graphic overlay - Skidding the Hull Into the Water
GRFX
Graphic overlay – Hull is Towed 14km to Transport Vessel
GRFX
Graphic overlay - Hull Floats On To Transport Vessel
SOT
Sid Johnston – Appomattox Hull Site Lead
The Appomattox project to me has been absolutely fantastic. There’s some people here that I’ve formed a lifelong relationship with and had lots of fun with them.
SOT
Mark Kite – Appomattox Construction Team Lead
It’ll be sad to say goodbye to a lot of people we’ve been working with for the last couple of years. Some of the people we’re very close with and have great relationships with.
SOT
Matthew Winters – Appomattox Project Engineer
The people that I’ve met are truly incredible. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
SOT
Sid Johnston – Appomattox Hull Site Lead
Take care of my baby
GRFX
Animated graphic with map of Geoje, South Korea then rotating around the globe to Ingleside, TX, USA.
The Appomattox Hull has “set sail” on its long and impressive journey to the Gulf of Mexico.
GRFX
Shell Pecten
Appomattox hull arrives in Texas to complete platform construction
Title: SHELL_APPO_ARRIVAL_FINAL_110917
Duration: 3:08 minutes
Description:
The successful arrival of the Appomattox hull in Ingleside, Texas was witnessed by staff and contractors located at Ingleside, some of whom lived through the impacts of Hurricane Harvey.
SHELL_APPO_ARRIVAL_FINAL_110917 Transcript
[Background music plays]
Rhythmic instrumental music featuring synthesised musical effects.
[Audio]
Ocean sounds of crashing waves and cawing seagulls.
[Text displays]
Ingleside, Texas
[Video footage]
Estuary early morning footage of water lapping the sand, a fisherman walking along the estuary banks, seagulls flying over the water as the sun rises at the horizon.
Interview with Jillian Hansen
[Title]
Appomattox Transportation and Installation Project Engineer
[Jillian Hansen]
I’ve done transportation for many, many years but this is definitely the biggest thing I’ve been working on. You can’t really beat transporting something that weighs over 40,000 tonnes.
[Text displays]
Jillian Hansen Appomattox Transportation and Installation Project Engineer
[Video footage]
Slow motion footage of Jillian Hansen and a colleague, dressed in safety gear, walking against a background of the estuary and cloudy skies. Close-up of Jillian Hansen dressed in safety gear, speaking to the off-camera interviewer. More footage of Jillian and her colleague walking at the construction site beside the estuary. Footage of a construction vehicle passing the shot, construction infrastructure visible in the background against blue skies.
[Text displays]
Two months earlier
[Video footage]
Footage of Marno de Jong looking out over the estuary towards the Appomattox hull. Front view of the vessel carrying the Appomattox hull. Aerial view of the Appomattox hull surrounded by water. Bird’s eye view of the Appomattox hull aboard the transportation vessel, surrounded by water.
Interview with Marno de Jong
[Title]
Appomattox Project Manager
[Marno de Jong]
Appomattox is going to be what is called the jewel in the crown of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico project for Shell.
[Text displays]
Marno de Jong Appomattox Project Manager
[Video footage]
Close-up of Marno de Jong, dressed in safety gear, speaking to the off-camera interviewer.
[Marno de Jong]
It’s only a few months ago that we said goodbye to it in Geoje, South Korea.
[Text displays]
Two months earlier
[Video footage]
More footage of the Appomattox hull aboard the transportation vessel, land visible in the distance. A number of workers dressed in safety gear are aboard a vessel in the estuary, looking out over the water. Again, footage of the Appomattox hull aboard the transportation vessel, land visible in the distance.
[Jillian Hansen]
We had to get it here safely. It has a long journey, all the way to Texas, and we’re excited to see it.
[Video footage]
Footage of the estuary, the hull visible, in low light, at the horizon, while at middle distance, several people stand on a sand bank jutting out into the estuary. More footage of the group of people standing, in shadow, atop the sand bank. Mid view of Jillian Hansen dressed in safety gear, speaking to the off-camera interviewer
[Marno de Jong]
What makes it unique for me is the fantastic team that we have on Appomattox.
[Video footage]
Workers dressed in safety gear walk through the construction site, with both external and internal footage of the workers talking and gesturing and greeting members of the construction team. Close-up followed by wider footage of a worker welding. More external footage of construction workers working at the site.
Interview with Kelly Bowen
[Title]
Appomattox Topsides Site Lead
[Kelly Bowen]
Number one goal for us here on the site is safety.
[Text displays]
Kelly Bowen Appomattox Topsides Site Lead
[Video footage]
Close-up of Kelly Bowen, dressed in safety gear, speaking to the off-camera interviewer.
[Marno de Jong]
We care for everybody that is on the project and we truly want everybody to return home safe every night.
[Video footage]
More footage of construction workers working in various areas of the site.
[Television Meteorologist]
This is a category four hurricane. This is going to go up the coast and do a massive amount of damage. A catastrophic event for anyone in the path of this storm.
[Video footage]
Television coverage of Hurricane Harvey, showing a weather forecast map, followed by miscellaneous footage of the wind and rain and damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, and cutting back to the meteorologist speaking in front of the screen, still displaying the weather forecast map.
Interview with Kevin MacDonald
[Title]
Appomattox Structural Inspector
[Kevin MacDonald]
Harvey intensified so quickly. We were in a position where we could no leave, so we were here during the storm. I think the eye hit us directly. The entire house was shaking, roof was peeling, walls were vibrating. I guess all we could do was be thankful we were still alive.
[Text displays]
Kevin MacDonald Appomattox Structural Inspector
[Video footage]
More miscellaneous footage of the damage caused by Harvey. Footage of Kevin MacDonald’s house and yard, showing the damage caused. Mid view of Kevin MacDonald seated in his yard, speaking to the off-camera interviewer. Footage of Kevin surveying the damage to his house and property, cutting back to the mid view of Kevin, as he speaks.
[Television reporter]
The wind is pretty strong, the rains are coming in and the tides now have come in here at Wilton beach.
[Video footage]
Live television coverage by a reporter of the wind and rain during Hurricane Harvey.
[Kevin MacDonald]
The coworkers I had that came here to help me clean up and delivered gas and asked what you need and phoned and checked on you – it’s a family away from home. It’s been amazing to me.
[Video footage]
Footage cuts several times between Kevin MacDonald walking around his property, surveying the damage, and the mid view of Kevin, as he speaks to the off-camera interviewer.
[Marno de Jong]
The resilience of the people here at Kiewit, the resilience of the families as we have witnessed through Harvey, has been truly remarkable. Our team is going to be delighted to see the piece of work of two years of hard labour in Geoje, coming to the shores here in Ingleside. And I would like my team to have a proud moment, take a moment to see the hull coming in, and think of the great things they have already done.
[Video footage]
Reverse view close-up of a man dressed in safety gear, seen against the background of construction site infrastructure and blue skies. Low-angle close-up of the aforementioned man. Close-up of an American flag flying in the wind. High angle view of the surrounding Ingleside area by night. Footage of a construction team, dressed in safety gear, talking together at the construction site. Miscellaneous scenes of work taking place on the construction site. Close-up of Marno de Jong, dressed in safety gear, speaking to the off-camera interviewer. More footage of the aforementioned construction team walking on the site, all looking very pleased. Close-up of Marno de Jong, dressed in safety gear, speaking to the off-camera interviewer.
[Video footage]
More footage of the group of people standing, in shadow, atop the sand bank, the hull aboard the transportation vessel now much closer to where they are standing. Footage from various angles of the hull aboard the transportation vessel, interspersed with footage of the construction team watching the hull approach while they talk together. More footage of the transportation vessel alongside land, as well as miscellaneous footage of people observing, some taking photos or videos of the arrival.
[Jillian Hansen]
I’m really glad it’s here. All these years of planning have really paid off.
[Video footage]
Close-up of Jillian Hansen dressed in safety gear, speaking to the off-camera interviewer. Low angle footage of the hull aboard the transporting vessel, now alongside land, while the construction team, in the foreground, look towards the hull.
[Kelly Bowen]
We actually had the opportunity on this project to implement constructability into the design which has significant savings both in HSE exposure, time and cost.
[Video footage]
Close-up of Kelly Bowen, dressed in safety gear, speaking to the off-camera interviewer. More footage of the construction team walking on the construction site and then walking under a part of the hull. Miscellaneous footage of the construction team working on parts of the hull.
Interview with James Welch
[Title]
Appomattox PDMS Operator
[James Welch]
It’s amazing how it all starts with plate, and rolled up pipe, and schematic drawings, and it ends up like it is.
[Text displays]
James Welch Appomattox PDMS Operator
[Video footage]
Mid view of James Welch dressed in safety gear, speaking to the off-camera interviewer. Close-up of the end of one of many pipes on the construction site, seen against a background of blue-cloudy skies. Footage of James walking through the pipes and infrastructure, a device held in his hands.
[Marno de Jong]
We’ve come a long way and the Appomattox project looks fantastic in terms of its safety, cost and scheduled performance. We need to now finalise this beautiful work of art that we are putting together.
[Video footage]
Low angle footage of the hull seen against blue skies, construction team members in the foreground looking up at the piece of infrastructure. Bird’s eye view of the hull and vessel alongside land. Aerial footage of the hull. More low angle footage of the hull seen against blue skies, construction team members in the foreground looking up at the piece of infrastructure. Another bird’s eye view of the hull and vessel alongside land as the shot slowly zooms out.
[Audio]
Shell jingle
[Graphic]
Shell Pecten centred on a white background.
Appomattox makes its journey to its final location in the Gulf of Mexico
Title: APPO_HOST_SAIL_AWAY_FINAL_070917
Duration: 2:04 minutes
Description:
Appomattox, one of Shell’s biggest deep-water platforms, left from Ingleside, Texas, USA and headed to its final location in the Gulf of Mexico. Here, meet the team that built it.
APPO_HOST_SAIL_AWAY_FINAL_070917 Transcript
[Background music plays]
Upbeat instrumental music with synthesized effects
[Video footage]
Time-lapse footage of the Appomattox host being completed at Ingleside, Texas. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
THIS IS APPOMATTOX
[Video footage]
Wide-angled drone footage of the host. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
29 STORIES TALL
[Video footage]
Further drone footage of the host. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
2 FOOTBALL FIELDS WIDE
THE LARGEST FLOATING PLATFORM OF ITS KIND SHELL HAS EVER CONSTRUCTED
[Video footage]
Quick close-ups of Gage Craig, Irvin Tyler, Jillian Hansen, Mark Kite, Shawanna Reed and Marno de Jong with text onscreen throughout as displayed below.
[Text displays]
NOW LET’S MEET THE TEAM THAT BUILT IT
Interviews with the Appomattox team
[Video footage]
Low-angled close-up looking upwards at Marno de Jong.
Marno de Jong
My name is Marno de Jong.
[Video footage]
Wide-angled shot of Jillian Hansen smiling into the camera, her arms crossed.
Jillian Hansen
I’m Jillian Hansen.
[Video footage]
Close-up of Sid Johnston smiling into the camera.
Sid Johnston
Sid Johnston.
[Video footage]
Close-up of an individual welding. Close-up of a gloved hand turning a wrench. Shot of workers assembling scaffolding. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
BUILT IN 35 MONTHS
[Video footage]
Shot of Gage Craig looking into the camera standing in front of the Appomattox.
Gage Craig
OVM Installation Engineer.
[Video footage]
Close-up of Irvin Tyler smiling to the camera.
Irvin Tyler
Construction HSE Lead.
[Video footage]
Close-up of Matt Winters nodding to the camera.
Matt Winters
Construction Engineer.
[Video footage]
Split-pane shot of the Appomattox at the top, cyclists on a road, and a close-up of part of the host on the bottom. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
ON THREE CONTINENTS
[Video footage]
Wide-angled shot of cyclists on their bikes. Shot of Gage Craig.
Gage Craig
On Shell Appomattox.
[Video footage]
Close-up of Kelly Bowen smiling to the camera.
Kelly Bowen
Appomattox.
[Video footage]
Shot of Marno de Jong smiling to the camera, his arms crossed.
Marno de Jong
Appomattox.
[Video footage]
Shot of Sid Johnston speaking to off-screen interviewer.
Sid Johnston
Amazing Appomattox.
[Video footage]
Wide-angled shot following an individual walking towards the host’s construction site. Series of quick shots of workers at the site. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
15 MILLION MAN HOURS
[Video footage]
Slow-motion footage of two men walking towards the Appomattox. Close-up of a man and Gage Craig smiling and looking upwards.
Gage Craig
I think I’ve managed to learn something new every day.
[Video footage]
Close-up of Mark Kite speaking to off-screen interviewer, the host in the background. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
MARK KITE
APPOMATTOX CONSTRUCTION LEAD
Mark Kite
Displaced weight is around 120,000 tons. It’s bigger than an aircraft carrier.
[Video footage]
Drone footage of the Appomattox. Shot following Wes Matai as he walks onto the platform. Close-up of Wes Matai turning and looking upwards around the platform.
Wes Matai
You’re walking up to the platform itself and you’re just in complete awe.
[Video footage]
Sequence of shots of the platform and inside the Appomattox. Close-up of Gage Craig speaking to off-screen interviewer. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
GAGE CRAIG
APPOMATTOX OFFSHORE ENGINEER
Gage Craig
It’s like a floating city. You really get an appreciation for all the hard work and the different people that come together to build a project like this.
[Video footage]
Close-up of Shawanna Reed laughing. Low-angled close-up of an individual. Shot of an individual looking out over the site. Time-lapse footage of the Appomattox being assembled. Close-up of Kelly Bowen speaking to off-screen interviewer, the host in the background. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
KELLY BOWEN
APPOMATTOX SITE LEAD
Kelly Bowen
I’ve known people that I’ve worked with on this project since I started at Shell 34 years ago.
[Video footage]
Wide-angled shot of materials being lowered down towards two workers. Shot of workers putting on safety gear. Close-up of Marno de Jong speaking to off-screen interviewer, the host in the background. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
MARNO DE JONG
APPOMATTOX PROJECT MANAGER
Marno de Jong
I think for a lot of people on the project, including myself, this is a highlight in our careers.
[Video footage]
Close-up shot panning around Marno de Jong as he looks upwards at the host. Drone footage of the Appomattox. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
THIS IS THE MOMENT THE TEAM HAS BEEN WAITING FOR
ITS FINAL TRIP TO THE GULF OF MEXICO
[Video footage]
Close-up of Shawanna Reed smiling and talking to an individual, then pointing her arm upwards.
Shawanna Reed
Oh, I’m super excited. I’m ready to go.
[Video footage]
Close-up of Marno de Jong and Kelly Bowen looking upwards.
Marno de Jong
A big day. Fantastic day.
[Video footage]
Wide-angled shot of Marno de Jong and Kelly Bowen in front of the Appomattox as Marno de Jong points upwards. Close-up of Kelly Bowen speaking to off-screen interviewer, the host in the background.
Kelly Bowen
It’s time for it to go, but it’s always a strange feeling to see it leave. It’s sort of like, you know, a child leaving home and going off to college.
[Video footage]
Shot of a rope and pulley. Slow-motion footage of Wes Matai walking on the platform. Shot of three men standing on the platform as two of them shake hands. Wide-angled shot of part of the site with the sun setting in the background. Wide-angled shot of a group of men carrying a thick rope. Close-up of Shawanna Reed speaking to off-screen interviewer. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
SHAWANNA REED
APPOMATTOX INTEGRATION LEAD
Shawanna Reed
I’m proud to be a part of the team that helped push this through all the way around. It’s all about the people.
[Video footage]
Wide-angled shot of a group of individuals talking at an exterior location as the sun has set in the background. Close-up of the men as one of them laughs. Close-up of Marno de Jong speaking to off-screen interviewer, the host in the background.
Marno de Jong
The Appomattox team has truly been a family and you need that family feel to it to really get the intense collaboration that is needed to have an enormous project like this.
[Video footage]
Slow-motion footage of a man walking towards the Appomattox as the sun has set, the lights coming on on the host. Shot panning around Marno de Jong and Kelly Bowen looking at the host at night-time. Close-up of Mark Kite and others smiling and laughing, then looking towards the Appomattox. Wide-angled shot of the Appomattox lit up at night-time, the silhouettes of various individuals in the foreground. Shot of a group of individuals waving goodbye to the Appomattox as it sets sail in the distance. Wide-angled shot of the Appomattox leaving Ingleside as the sun has set. Text appears onscreen as displayed below.
[Text displays]
ONCE INSTALLED, THE APPOMATTOX IS DESIGNED TO HAVE A LIFESPAN OF DECADES,
ENSURING THAT THE APPOMATTOX FAMILY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
[Audio]
Shell jingle
[Graphic]
Shell Pecten centered on a white background
Key facts
Location: Gulf of Mexico, 130 kilometres (80 miles) off Louisiana
Depth: 2,255 metres (7,400 feet)
Interests: Shell (79% operator), Nexen Petroleum Offshore USA Inc. (21%)
Fields: Appomattox, Vicksburg
Average peak annual production: 175,000 barrels of oil equivalent
Project development
Building on Shell’s history of leadership in the Gulf of Mexico, the Appomattox development is a cornerstone of our global deep-water strategy that will drive safe, competitive, and profitable production growth for years to come.
The Appomattox development will initially produce from the Appomattox and Vicksburg fields, with first oil by the end of the decade and average peak production estimated to reach approximately 175,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d).
Shell first discovered the Appomattox field in 2010 and Vicksburg in 2013 and the final investment decision (FID) to advance the Appomattox project was made in July 2015. Since taking FID, Shell has achieved more than 25% cost savings, in addition to approximately 20% cost reduction on the project prior to FID. These cost reductions have been the result of efficient execution, significant well cost reductions and lower market costs.
The Appomattox hull, weighing 40,000 metric tons, is the largest floating production system that Shell has ever built. Constructed in Geoje, South Korea, it made its way to Ingleside, Texas, USA, in 2017 where the host platform and subsea infrastructure were added.
In May 2018 the Appomattox platform left Ingleside to travel to its final location in the Gulf of Mexico. Production is expected to start in 2019.
Strategic, competitive and innovative
With Shell’s industry-leading position in the deep water, our business is on a growth trajectory, including expanding production opportunities in this area of our Gulf of Mexico heartland. Currently we are the only operator in the Gulf of Mexico with commercial deep-water discoveries in the Norphlet formation, including Appomattox, Vicksburg, Rydberg and Ft. Sumter.
Shell continues to focus on the break even price of the project to pursue cost reductions, making this development an attractive and competitive investment in Shell’s global portfolio.
As a leading, competitive and innovative project in deep water, Appomattox will continue this legacy to safely, responsibly and efficiently unlock energy resources from this industry-first, frontier development.
Read more about how the Appomattox team were able to cut costs on the project without compromising safety.
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