Cenovus Reaches Significant Milestone with Completion of Concrete Gravity Structure for West White Rose Project

Cenovus Energy recently celebrated a significant milestone with the completion of major construction on the Concrete Gravity Structure (CGS) for the West White Rose project. The CGS, constructed in a purpose-built graving dock at Argentia, has reached its final height of 145.2 meters after the last concrete pour. This achievement marks a crucial step forward in the development of the project, demonstrating the dedication and hard work of the entire team.

A Concrete Achievement

The skyline in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, looks a little different these days. More than 8 million liters of concrete were poured, equivalent to filling three Olympic-sized swimming pools. This extensive process allowed the CGS conical slip form operation to gain an impressive 92.35 meters in height. Slip forming is a method used for tall structures, involving continuously moving formwork that ensures the concrete is poured seamlessly, creating a strong and leak-free structure.

Mike Rudofsky, Senior Manager of the CGS Project at Cenovus Energy, expressed his satisfaction with this accomplishment, highlighting the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID-19 shut us down in 2020 just days before we were supposed to start the conical slip. We had to rebuild our teams and try to pick up that momentum again. It’s been a long journey, but the way we came together demonstrates our company values in action. We had success because we did it together and focused on doing it right,” Rudofsky said.

The Next Steps

The team will begin the interior mechanical outfitting, including the installation of decks and various mechanical components necessary to prepare the structure for its eventual tow offshore in 2025.

The CGS, once complete, will support the topsides of the drilling platform in the White Rose field. Risers will extend from the topsides down to the center of the CGS, integrating with the subsea infrastructure.

Nicole Breau, CGS Site Health and Safety Lead at Cenovus emphasized the complexity and precision required for this project. “It’s a deceptively simple looking structure, but it’s very complex. Concrete and rebar are integrated seamlessly to create the structure, but what’s incredible is that someone’s hand touched every piece of rebar and every load of concrete. Everyone involved is really proud of the safety record and of the high quality of the job done,” Breau said.

A Collaborative Effort

The completion of the CGS is a testament to the collaborative effort and resilience of the Cenovus team. The project’s success so far reflects the company’s commitment to quality, safety, and teamwork. As the project moves into the next phase, the focus will remain on completing the interior outfitting and preparing the structure for its critical role in the White Rose field.

Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of the West White Rose project and other exciting developments at Cenovus Energy.