The Italian company Saipem was awarded an offshore contract in Angola, valued at approximately $350 million, to execute subsea engineering and construction work for Azule Energy’s West Hub Tails project.
The project is part of the Agogo Integrated West Hub (IWH) development and is located approximately 180 kilometers off the coast of Angola. Operations will be carried out at depths of up to 1,750 meters, placing the work within the deepwater segment.
The award extends Saipem’s activity in West Africa and involves a campaign of approximately two and a half years.
Saipem to Install 62 Kilometers of Subsea Infrastructure
Specifically, the scope of the contract includes the engineering, fabrication, transportation, and installation of subsea infrastructure for the West Hub Tails development.
Saipem will work with approximately 62 kilometers of flowlines, risers, and umbilicals. These systems will be connected to the Agogo FPSO (Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading) unit, one of the central elements of the oil development.
Flowlines transport produced fluids between different components of the subsea system. Risers, for their part, establish the connection between seabed facilities and surface units.
Umbilicals concentrate control, supply, and communication functions necessary to operate subsea equipment. Together, these elements form an essential part of deepwater production infrastructure.
FDS and Normand Maximus to Participate in Offshore Campaign
Additionally, Saipem will mobilize the construction vessels FDS and Normand Maximus to execute the offshore installation campaign.
The company has a specialized fleet for offshore engineering and construction projects. It currently operates 17 construction vessels and 12 drilling rigs within its international activities.
Furthermore, a significant portion of the contract will be carried out directly in Angola. Saipem’s planned fabrication activities will take place at its Ambriz shipyard.
The execution will involve local companies and workers, which will transfer part of the industrial activity associated with the project to Angolan territory.
West Hub Tails Integrates into Agogo Development
Likewise, West Hub Tails is part of the Agogo Integrated West Hub, an offshore development operated by Azule Energy.
Azule Energy is a joint venture formed by Eni and bp. Within the Agogo IWH project, the company holds a 36.84% stake, while Sonangol E&P controls another 36.84%, and Sinopec International maintains the remaining 26.32%.
The development integrates different deepwater oil assets in Angola through subsea infrastructure and floating production systems.
In February 2026, Angola’s National Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels and Azule Energy confirmed the commissioning of the Ndungu field as part of the Agogo Integrated West Hub development.
Saipem Strengthens its Offshore Portfolio in West Africa
Finally, the contract adds another deepwater project to Saipem’s international portfolio.
The company develops engineering and construction projects for the energy and infrastructure sectors and maintains operations in over 50 countries. Its structure also includes drilling activities, subsea services, offshore wind energy, and sustainable infrastructure.
The award in Angola also comes during a period of contractual activity for the Italian company. Saipem has also secured contracts for offshore and subsea installations in other international energy markets.
With West Hub Tails, the company will now have to execute a large-scale subsea campaign at depths of up to 1,750 meters and connect the new infrastructure with the Agogo FPSO over the next two and a half years.
Source: Saipem
Photo: Shutterstock
