KOTUG Completes Bogie Wheel Replacement on Azule Energy’s CALM Buoy in Angola

KOTUG recently accomplished the replacement of the bogie wheel and rail system on Azule Energy’s Single Point Mooring (SPM) CALM buoy located in Angola’s Block 18. This particular buoy, one of the largest globally, was initially installed in 2007 at a depth of around 1,200 meters. It serves as the primary export route for oil from the Greater Plutonio FPSO.

The main goal of the project was to carry out the replacement work without causing disruptions to the ongoing oil production and export operations. To achieve this objective, KOTUG‘s team conducted a thorough site survey, managed engineering and procurement tasks, and devised detailed procedures to ensure the safe and high-quality execution of the project within the limited timeframe available between tanker calls at the SPM.

In October 2024, a dedicated team of 31 individuals from KOTUG worked tirelessly around the clock to complete the task safely, finishing 7 hours ahead of the planned schedule despite the CALM buoy being handed over 15 hours later than anticipated. The operation, which ran for 24 hours, involved transfers between the DP2 Offshore Support Vessel and the CALM buoy during nighttime hours—a task that is not commonly encountered in the field.