EnergyPathways plc announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with MCS Subsea Solutions Limited and Mermaid Subsea Services (UK) Limited about negotiating the provision of subsea FEED engineering, project support, procurement and offshore construction services for its wholly owned and operated Marram field project in the UK Irish Sea. As part of the FEED engineering, project support, procurement and offshore construction services processes, the Company has already contracted with MCS and Mermaid in respect of initial work orders, the results of which will allow the Company to progress to defining the scope of the final contract in due course. EnergyPathways is progressing the Marram Project, which is a short cycle low emission gas field, towards Final Investment Decision ("FID").

The project concept envisages a simple low-cost 2 well subsea tieback development with first production targeted for 2025. The Marram Project represents the first UKCS development project on which MCS and Mermaid will collaborate from FEED to commissioning and deploy proven technology that can reduce development costs and delivery cycles. MCS and Mermaid specifically plan to access fit for purpose vessel solutions as well as to use their market position to secure global supply chain solutions for long lead items. They also plan to deploy the use of a mechanical interference fit connection system (Zap-Lok?) for the submarine pipeline.

This is a globally proven and approved technology. Since the early 1990's more than 7500km of this system has been installed and has been shown to save up to 40% in installation costs in shallow water relative to other approaches. The Marram Project development plan will also facilitate the use of diverless connection systems for shallow water, thus reducing the risks associated with the use of divers for the pipeline tie-in operations.