Only three attend platform revamp pre-bid
Yet again, ONGC is struggling to generate interest for an offshore EPC project.
This time plans to revamp four of its old Mumbai High production platforms as it seeks to extend the field's production life beyond 2030. ONGC issued the tender on March 3 (2023) and wants bids by April 27 (2023).
On offer is a contract to upgrade the IS and ST platforms at the IC complex, the LE platform at the NQ complex, and the ED platform at the SH complex. All four platforms were installed in the 1980s and 90s and have outlived their design life.
But only a few contractors will likely show interest if you go by the pre-bid on March 15 (2023). Only Goa-headquartered Chowgule and Company, Mumbai-based HAL Offshore, and Navi-Mumbai-based Das Offshore attended.
HAL raised the most queries. "Most of Hal's queries were about the technical specs related to the repairs needed," says a source.
"They also asked ONGC to extend the completion deadline." ONGC wants repairs carried out across the four platforms in one fair weather season or from May to October.
"Five months only," adds our source. "That's a tight deadline!" Das Offshore wanted permission to deploy higher-capacity barges to carry out the upgrade.
ONGC, which asked for a minimum of two workboats and two offshore supply vessels in the tender, is yet to respond to the query. ONGC rejected Das Offshore's demand to increase standby rates for ships after new DGS rules that will lead to fewer vessels available and higher market rates.
"As per the DGS orders, vessels aged 30 or more must be de-registered immediately," a source reminds us. "This will make vessel hire rates shoot up."
Chowgule wanted to revise the criteria barring bids from a consortium, arguing that if ONGC allows consortium bids, more companies would participate. "Allowing consortia helps contractors qualify for jobs where they cannot qualify independently," says our source.
As expected, ONGC rejected Chowgule's request.