The History of Atlantia
The Beginning...
The business of Atlantia Offshore Limited was founded in 1979 as a full service offshore engineering company. In its early years, the company distinguished itself as a leading turn-key provider of fixed offshore minimal production platforms, primarily marketed to independent oil and gas companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea. The first Atlantia designed fixed platform was delivered in 1984, and to date, Atlantia has supplied more than 150 fixed platforms.
Birth of the SeaStar®
The Company’s focus changed in 1992 when the initial SeaStar® TLP patent was issued. Atlantia developed SeaStar TLP technology to reach a segment of the deepwater market where the majority of discoveries are relatively small, but plentiful (generally less than 150MM BOE). Reducing development costs in this sector created field development opportunities that could not otherwise be realized with more expensive conventional TLP or Spar technologies.
The first wet-tree SeaStar TLP was installed in 1998 for Agip’s Morpeth field. Two other wet-tree SeaStar TLPs have been installed – Agip’s Allegheny field in 1999 and ChevronTexaco’s Typhoon field in 2001. In September of 2001, Total E&P USA, Inc. selected the SeaStar TLP for their Matterhorn Gulf of Mexico field, which called for nine surface trees.
Acquisition
In July 2001, Atlantia was acquired by IHC Caland, in May 2005 renamed SBM Offshore, a holding company of a group of international marine technology oriented companies, working mainly as suppliers to the offshore oil services industry on a global basis. The Company’s offshore activities started in the early 1950s by pioneering SPM systems, dynamically positioned drilling vessels, jack-up drilling rigs, and heavy offshore cranes. The Group is also in the business of owning and operating FPSO/ FSOs through their operating unit Single Buoy Moorings . For more information on SBM Offshore and our sister company Single Buoy Moorings, please visit their websites at www.sbmoffshore.com and www.singlebuoy.com.
The Future
The market potential for Atlantia's SeaStar TLP is growing, both in the Gulf of Mexico and internationally. IHC Caland’s acquisition of Atlantia was an important step in helping the company take advantage of this potential, by providing additional technology resources, market presence, and financial strength. The partnership with sister company Single Buoy Moorings enables Atlantia to market more effectively on a worldwide basis utilizing SBM’s proven sales and marketing capabilities. SBM Offshore’s ownership also gives Atlantia the financial resources necessary to pursue, win, and execute multiple large turnkey projects concurrently.