Saipem — EPC & Operations

Saipem's Role in Kaminho

Saipem, the Italian engineering and construction company, is the largest contractor on the Kaminho project with three contracts totaling $3.7 billion awarded by TotalEnergies EP Angola Block 20. Saipem draws on extensive experience operating three other FPSOs in Angola, making it one of the most experienced FPSO operators in West African waters.

Contract Details

Contract 1 — FPSO EPC ($B+): Full engineering, procurement, construction, transportation, and commissioning of the FPSO Kaminho. Saipem manages the overall conversion program and subcontracted the physical conversion to China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) at Nantong, China. The scope includes topsides design, process systems integration, marine systems, and the Siemens Energy 80 MW power generation plant.

Contract 2 — Operations & Maintenance: A 12-year O&M contract with an 8-year extension option — potentially spanning the first 20 years of the FPSO's operational life. This is one of the longest initial FPSO O&M commitments in West Africa, providing revenue visibility for Saipem and operational continuity for the TotalEnergies-Petronas-Sonangol consortium.

Contract 3 — SURF Package: Engineering, procurement, supply, construction, installation, pre-commissioning, and startup assistance for the SURF system — approximately 30 km of 8-inch and 10-inch subsea flowlines, risers, and umbilicals. Saipem fabricates associated structures at its Ambriz yard and deploys its FDS vessel for offshore J-lay installation.

Ambriz Fabrication Yard

Saipem's Ambriz yard in Bengo Province is the in-country fabrication hub for the Kaminho project. The scope includes 5,500+ tonnes of metal structures, 12 vertical suction anchors (170 tonnes each, 24 meters tall), and an 80-meter flowline protector. Over 1.2 million man-hours of fabrication work are being executed with a workforce that is 94% Angolan professionals.

For the complete contract architecture, supply chain, and local content analysis, see our dedicated pages.