Excellence at Sea and Onshore: ES-KO’s Long-Term Partnership with TotalEnergies in Congo
Since 2006, ES-KO Congo has played a central role in supporting TotalEnergies’ oil and gas production activities in the Republic of Congo, delivering the full spectrum of catering and life-support services that keep onshore and offshore operations running safely and efficiently.
The partnership started with ES-KO managing the flotel OTTO 1, ensuring that all crew members and employees had safe, clean, and comfortable living and working conditions.
In 2017, TotalEnergies brought Moho Nord on stream — a deep offshore oil project situated 75 kilometers off the Congolese coast. Moho Nord is the largest oil project ever undertaken in the Republic of the Congo, covering 320 square kilometers in water depths ranging from 750 to 1,200 meters. The Moho-Bilondo block comprises four reservoirs, two of which began producing oil in 2008 through the Alima floating production unit (FPU). Moho Nord marked a new chapter, adding production from two additional reservoirs and significantly boosting the country’s output.
The project includes the Republic of Congo’s first tension-leg platform (TLP) and the Likouf floating production unit (FPU) — an all-electric, state-of-the-art facility designed with zero routine flaring and full reinjection of produced water, minimizing environmental impact. Together, these facilities process up to 100,000 barrels of oil per day, accounting for more than half of Congo’s total oil production and showcasing TotalEnergies’ expertise in complex deep offshore developments.
ES-KO’s services have been instrumental in supporting the teams who keep this ambitious project running. In addition to its offshore work, ES-KO has overseen several fixed onshore sites in Pointe-Noire, including Alima, Yanga, and Likouf. Across these sites, ES-KO delivers a fully integrated life-support solution including catering, hotel management, housekeeping, laundry, sanitation, disinfection, pest and rodent control, waste management, maintenance, and procurement. Beyond daily operations, ES-KO invested in training and developing local personnel, ensuring that services meet the stringent international standards required by such a high-profile project.
The impact of ES-KO’s work is felt every day — providing uninterrupted services even under the most challenging circumstances. As Pierre Leschi, Director of Operations at TotalEnergies, stated:
“ES-KO’s performance has always been of very good quality and appreciated by all. They have had to endure numerous obstacles, particularly during the unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic, but have always ensured that we receive quality services with no delays. Their employees and support team are flexible and cooperative.”
This nearly two-decade partnership is a testament to ES-KO’s ability to deliver mission-critical support for complex oil and gas operations — from pioneering deep offshore projects like Moho Nord to daily base-life operations — helping TotalEnergies’ workforce stay well-fed, well-rested, and fully focused on achieving production goals.
