Vessels, Rigs, & Surface Systems

Oct. 21, 2019

ExxonMobil, SBM sign long-term FPSO accord

SBM Offshore and ExxonMobil have signed a long-term agreement covering potential future FPSO orders. This agreement is non-exclusive and establishes the general legal framework and specific terms in relation to the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation work regarding potential future contracts relating to leased FPSOs. This includes build-operate-transfer projects that generally cover a short lease term.

Since the 1970s, SBM has supplied more than 10 floating systems to ExxonMobil in five countries, including five FPSOs, deepwater offloading systems, and an FSO.

In addition, multiple major projects are currently in various stages of progress. For example, the FPSO Liza Destiny arrived at the ExxonMobil-operated Stabroek block offshore Guyana at the end of August. The vessel will operate at the Liza Phase 1 development. SBM is responsible for the construction, installation, lease, and operations of the Liza Destiny, Guyana’s first oil production vessel. It has a production capacity of 120,000 b/d of oil.

Progress on the Liza Phase 2 FPSO, Liza Unity, is on track with the multi-purpose hull – the first of SBM’s standardized Fast4Ward design – recently launched from the drydock at the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and Offshore Co. shipyard in China. The second phase FPSO is expected to have a production capacity of 220,000 b/d.

Latest Petrobras FPSO sets sail

Estaleiro Jurong Aracruz (EJA), Sembcorp Marine’s wholly-owned integrated shipyard in Brazil, has completed its first FPSO modules fabrication and integration project. The FPSO P-68 left the shipyard in mid-September and sailed to the ultra-deepwater Berbigão and Sururu fields in the Santos basin.

The Berbigão and Sururu fields are in the BM-S-11A concession, operated by Petrobras (42.5%), in partnership with Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltda. (25%), Total (22.5%) and Petrogal Brasil S.A. (10%), with the consortium companies owning the FPSO.

Measuring 316 m (1,037 ft) in length and 54 m (117 ft) in width, the P-68 has a production capacity of 150,000 b/d of oil, 6 MMcm/d of gas, and 180,000 b/d of water injection. It has a 1.6 MMbbl storage capacity and can accommodate 154 persons.

EJA’s P-68 work scope included fabricating six modules, pipe-racks and a flare, and integrating them on the vessel along with other free issue items at the Jurong Aracruz Shipyard, in Aracruz, Espírito Santo. It also executed carry-over works on the FPSO’s hull, which was built by the Rio Grande Shipyard, in Rio Grande do Sul.

Petrobras expects both fields to start production during 4Q. The P-68 will be the fourth platform to start-up for the operator offshore Brazil this year, after P-67, P-76, and P-77.

Sembcorp nets multiple assignments

Sembcorp Marine Rigs & Floaters Pte. Ltd. has added an FPSO conversion and three new gas projects to its portfolio.

It is converting the VLCC Ariake into an FPSO for deployment offshore eastern India for the Shapoorji Pallonji Oil and Gas Pvt. Ltd. and Bumi Armada Berhad joint venture. The vessel will have a production capacity of 90,000 b/d of oil and a 1.3-MMbbl storage capacity.

The project includes hull repairs and upgrading as well as fabrication of at least three topsides modules which Sembcorp will install on the vessel. The work will be done at its flagship Tuas Boulevard Yard, with delivery scheduled in the second half of 2021. APL, part of NOV’s Completion & Production Solutions segment, is supplying the submerged turret production system.

Sembcorp is converting the LNG tanker Dwiputra into a 125,000-cu m (4.41-MMcf) floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) for the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines/Karpower International joint venture.

It is converting NYK Line’s former gas carrier LNG Flora into a 127,000-cu m (4.48-MMcf) floating storage unit for Gasfin Development; and upgrading the 173,400-cu m FSRU BW Magna for BW LNG.

Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Yard will manage all the programs, for delivery between the end of this year and February 2020.

In addition, Siccar Point Energy E&P has awarded Sembcorp Marine Rigs & Floaters a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the Cambo oil and gas field development northwest of Shetland in UK waters.

The study will examine the potential application of a Sevan cylindrical FPSO, which Siccar Point and partner Shell selected after having considered an alternative FEED contracting option. Sembcorp has contracted KBR to undertake topsides design and integration support with the work to be performed in Singapore and Norway. •