Gruppo Antonini, a global player in the oil and gas industry for over 80 years, celebrated the First Cut ceremony for the WHPA platform at its Pertusola shipyard (La Spezia) and Arcora mechanical workshop, marking the official start of construction work on the offshore project, worth over US$1,350bn, to increase gas production capacity in the Gulf of Sirte off the Libyan coast.
The WHPA platform is a strategic Italian and European energy procurement project in the framework of the wider-ranging EPICIC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning) contract awarded by Mellitah Oil & Gas B.V. (a joint venture between Eni S.p.A. and the Libyan National Oil Corporation) to the consortium consisting of Gruppo Antonini S.p.A., Rosetti Marino S.p.A. and Kerry Project Logistics (Italia) S.p.A.
Gruppo Antonini, which has been allocated a share of the project worth about US$300 million, is in charge of producing the accommodation module, the helideck and the foundation piles, along with the relative commissioning and startup activities, confirming its reputation for operational excellence as an EPCIC contractor in the oil & gas industry.
The First Cut ceremony, a symbolic milestone to mark the cutting of the first structural steel, was attended by customer Mellitah Oil & Gas B.V. and representatives of the consortium companies, strengthening synergy between the partners. The WHPA project covers the construction and installation of a new gas production platform weighing over 20,000 tonnes and a Fast Moving Workover Rig for the Bahr Essalam offshore field.
With this initiative, Gruppo Antonini confirms its leading role as a builder of strategic energy security infrastructure, positioning itself as a reliable and innovative global partner. The order comes at a time of strong growth for the company, which looks set to close the year reporting turnover of €90 million, as it continues to pursue its 2025-2027 strategic plan focused on innovation, sustainability and internationalisation.
In parallel with its development of the energy sector and new energy transition-related activities, Gruppo Antonini also continues to strengthen its yachting division, Antonini Navi. Four full custom steel yachts are currently under construction, all measuring over 30 metres in length. Two of these projects have already been sold, with delivery planned for 2026.