US independent Hess is preparing to approach major contractors about design and construction of the large semi-submersible production platform that will anchor its Equus deep-water gas project in Western Australia.
The field is planned to provide feedstock for a third-party LNG project.
Hess is expected to seek expressions of interest as soon as next month, and will then choose three or four groups to compete for the big turnkey contract by about October, said sources.
