Floating production vessel order backlog at all-time high

Offshore staff

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The order backlog for floating production vessels is at an all-time high, says International Maritime Associates Inc. The new market study counts 74 floaters on order.

Of that total, the company says 49 are FPSOs, six are production semisubmersibles, three are TLPs, four are spars, three are FLNG vessels, and nine are floating storage and regasification units.

Further, the report says there are 233 projects in planning that might be able to use some form of floating production system. However, some of them will use alternative approaches such as tiebacks.

A shortage of deepwater drilling rigs has slowed drilling, but that will pass, says Jim McCaul, head of IMA.

“The inventory of available deepwater rigs has grown significantly over the past 12 months – and the 52 drillships and 17 drill semis now on order will add 18% to deepwater drill capability over the next two years,” said McCaul.

8/15/2012