Topaz Energy and Marine, a leading offshore support vessel (OSV) company, has won a new $100-million contract from  Dragon Oil, the upstream oil and gas subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc).

 Dragon Oil's principal asset is the Cheleken Contract Area in the eastern section of the Caspian Sea, offshore Turkmenistan, said a statement.

Under the terms of the contract, Topaz will supply Dragon Oil Turkmenistan with six vessels, comprising five anchor-handlers and one Emergency Recovery and Response Vessel.

The contract has already commenced with vessel mobilisation and operation ramp-up under way. The contract is scheduled for a five-year term with a two-year option and brings Topaz’s market leading revenue backlog above $1.5 billion, said the statement.

The contract award demonstrates Topaz’s ability to secure substantial, long-term contracts in a weak market by offering clients a young fleet equipped with the latest technology, aligning with its clients’ needs to deliver cost, efficiency and safety benefits, it said.
 
Topaz has been active in Turkmenistan since 2010 and is committed to the country and the wider Caspian region.  Out of a global fleet of 97 vessels, 62 of Topaz’s OSVs are deployed in the Caspian region, servicing the exploration, development and production needs of major companies such as BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Saipem in Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, the company said.
 
René Kofod-Olsen, CEO, Topaz Energy and Marine, said: "This is a critical contract win for Topaz. It not only increases our revenue backlog above $1.5 billion – the highest in the industry – but it also demonstrates the trust that Dragon Oil has placed in our ability to deliver the technology and safety capabilities our clients increasingly require.  Our solid funding also means that we are able to structure long-term commercial terms which offer predictability and value to our clients at very low counterparty risk. We look forward to supporting the development of Turkmenistan’s offshore hydrocarbon resources through the provision of Topaz’s safe, reliable and competitive offshore vessel services.” - TradeArabia News Service