SBM Offshore plans further FPSO fleet expansion
SBM Offshore has ordered two more newbuild Fast4Ward MPF hulls to support ongoing tendering for FPSO projects, according to the company's latest quarterly report.
Of the four now on order, one will support the Longtail development project offshore Guyana. Operator ExxonMobil awarded FEED contracts to SBM in March. Assuming government approval, the Longtail FPSO will have the largest gas-handling capacity among the global fleet, SBM claims.
The company is also tendering for two FPSOs for projects in the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin offshore Brazil, with substantial gas processing capacity in both cases.
In addition, SBM plans to replace its joint-venture owned installation vessel in the next three years or so with a new facility that should offer improved reliability and integration of more offshore installation work scopes.
This, the company believes, will reduce the execution risk for clients and improve the predictability of its EPCI schedules and costs.
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About the Author
Jeremy Beckman
Editor, Europe
Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.