Page 7 - Sphere No.7 (Oct 2002)

E N E R G Y & I N F R A S T R U C T U R E T E L E C O M S
S PHERE
5
Sofware Sign-ups
Hutchison 3G continues
to sign up software
vendors to provide key components of the
middleware infrastructure of its 3G network.
Most contracts allow for the deployment of
platforms first in the UK then in other
countries where Hutchison 3G has a
presence. Recent signings include:
UK
Husky Energy and co-partner China
National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) in
June achieved first oil production from the
Wenchang offshore project in the South
China Sea. Blocks 13-1 and 13-2 are
producing oil from two fixed platforms and
from the FPSO vessel Nanhai Endevour. Husky
has a 40% working interest in theWenchang
oil fields, which have estimated reserves of 83
million barrels.
Meanwhile, Husky has contracted Norway’s
Knutsen OAS Shipping for two new-build
shuttle tankers to transport oil from theWhite
Rose offshore project to market once
production begins in late 2005. Husky and
Petro-Canada, as co-charterers, signed the
time charter agreements with
Knutsen as owner. One tanker
will be chartered for 10 years
and the other for five years, with
options to extend.The shuttle
tankers – each with a one million-
barrel capacity – will be built by South Korea’s
Samsung Heavy Industries. Delivery of the
Suezmax-size vessels is planned for the second
quarter of 2005.
In a further development, Husky has awarded
a C$250 million (about US$159.5 million)
contract to Technip CSO Canada for the
subsea production system of the White Rose
oil field project.The contract covers design,
supply and installation.
Collaboration Deals
Hi3G and Telia AB are
working together on the
co-location of masts. Under the terms of a
September agreement, Telia Mobile will lease
space on its existing masts in Sweden for co-
locating and installing Hi3G’s UMTS antennas
where there is available space.Telia Mobile is
equally granted co-location on Hi3G’s masts.
Meanwhile, Hi3G is collaborating with
Vodafone to allow Hi3G’s customers in
Sweden to useVodafone’s GSM (national
roaming) network in areas where Hi3G lacks
coverage.
SWEDEN
Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings
(CKI) and Hongkong Electric Holdings
(HEH) in July acquired Australian electricity
company CitiPower for a net A$1.418 billion
(approximately US$792 million).The
acquisition, from AEP Resources, the wholly
owned Australian subsidiary of American
Electric Power, follows the September 2000
purchase by CKI/HEH of Powercor
Australia, and of ETSA Utilities at the end
of 1999. CitiPower distributes approximately
5,300 GWh of electricity to around 265,000
customers in the Melbourne area. Consisting
of a network distribution business as well as a
retail operation, the total consideration for the
CitiPower tender was A$1.555 billion.The
CKI/HEH partnership will take up the
distribution business, valued at A$1.418 billion,
and on-sell the retail business to Origin
Energy for A$137 million.This follows the
practice seen in both the ETSA and Powercor
transactions, in which CKI and HEH have
focused on building strong critical mass in
power distribution while disposing of related
retail businesses.Together with Powercor,
CKI/HEH will own two out of five electricity
distributors inVictoria, supplying almost
14,000 GWh to 880,000 customers. In South
Australia, ETSA Utilities supplies 10,000 GWh
to approximately 747,000 customers.The three
together make CKI/HEH the biggest
electricity distributor in Australia.
CKI/HEHAcquire Australian Power Company
Harbour Plaza Hotels
and Resorts celebrated
the latest addition to the
family on June 28 when
the Harbour Plaza
Metropolis opened for
business. Located in
Kowloon, the hotel boasts stunning
views of Victoria Harbour and is minutes
away from the MTR, the Tsimshatsui East
Ferry Pier and the downtown shopping
district.With 690 guestrooms and suites, the
Metropolis offers a comprehensive range of
top-quality services and facilities.
Metropolis Opens
applause
Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort in
Grand Bahama has earned a prestigious
“2002 Gold Key Award” from Meetings &
Conventions magazine.
The award is bestowed on “TheWorld’s
Finest Meeting Properties” and properties
are judged on strict industry criteria
including: staff attitude, quality of meeting
rooms, guest services, food and beverage
service, reservations proficiency, recreational
facilities and availability of technical
equipment and support.
Roaming Agreement
Hutchison 3G Austria
has signed an agreement
with GSM operator Mobilkom to provide
2G national voice and data roaming, which
will give Hutchison 3G almost full national
coverage for voice, GPRS and SMS services
from the very first day of operation.
AUSTRIA
First Oil fromWenchang
SchlumbergerSema
Usimera – USIM smart cards.
Elata
Senses – wireless Java delivery manager.
Whereonearth / Telcontar
Location-based services software, data
engineering tools and professional services.
IONIC Software
Standards based software such as Web Feature
Server (WFS) and Web Map Server (WMS).
TeleCommunication Systems (TCS)
Location-based software and services,
including Xypoint Location Platform (XLP).
Vendor Software Solution
P R O P E R T Y & H O T E L S