The Saipem 7000 is a semi-submersible crane and pipelaying vessel operating within the Saipem fleet. The unit is designed to support complex offshore projects through heavy-lift operations, offshore structure installation, subsea works and J-lay pipelaying activities. Equipped with an advanced dynamic positioning system, two main cranes with a lifting capacity of up to 14,000 t in tandem lift, and pipelaying capability in water depths exceeding 2,000 m, the Saipem 7000 is deployed on conventional, deepwater and ultra-deepwater offshore projects worldwide.

The North Field South (NFS) project is part of the larger North Field Expansion project. The project is divided into two phases, with phase one involving the development of the North Field East (NFE), while phase two will see to the development of the NFS. It will include five production platforms, 50 wells and gas pipelines to an onshore processing complex.

The Berri field, situated along the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, is undergoing expansion through the Berri Increment Program (BIP) to increase its crude production capacity to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd). Initially discovered in 1964, the Berri field commenced crude oil production in 1970, with the Berri gas plant starting operations in 1977. Currently capable of producing 250,000 bpd of Arab Light crude, the field’s expansion program aims to double its crude production capacity through enhanced oil recovery techniques.