Aker Kvaerner won a contract for operation, management and maintenance of the Al Zaafarana FPSO offshore Egypt by operator Gemsa Petroleum Company and partners. The contract value is $32.5 m for a five year contract period effective from September 1, 2007. Options for contract extensions are included in the contract.

The Al Zaafarana FPSO is located offshore Egypt in the Red Sea and is operated by Gemsa Petroleum Company (Gempetco). Produced oil is stored in the FPSO and is transported onshore by shuttle tankers. The average manning of the FPSO is approximately 25 persons. Under the new contract, personnel will be provided by Aker Kvaerner Operations and its partner Gravitas & Cie SA for the work at the Al Zaafarana FPSO.

"The award of this contract gives Aker Kvaerner Operations a foothold in North Africa and in the growing market segment of FPSO production,'' says Managing Director of Aker Kvaerner Operations, John McKeown.

Further, he says, "Gempetco has, in meetings and negotiations and now in the award of this contract, confirmed their confidence in Aker Kvaerner. We are enthusiastic to undertake this challenging contract and to develop additional opportunities in the region.''