Seatrium completes integration of Whale FPU hull, topsides

Offshore staff

SINGAPORE – Seatrium Limited reports the successful delivery of the Whale floating production unit (FPU) for deployment in the Gulf of Mexico, in accordance with the contract secured in November 2019 with Shell Offshore Inc.

The completed Whale FPU, which comprises a topside module and a four-column semisubmersible floating hull of over 22,000 tonnes was delivered on time and within budget, says Seatrium.  

Seatrium says that it used its Goliath twin cranes with a combined 30,000-tonne lifting capacity and a 100-meter hook height to integrate the Whale FPU topside and hull in one single lift, a major milestone for the company.  Seatrium says that it was able to save two million man-hours and bring about a 30% reduction in hull and topside integration time.

Seatrium says that the project scored 96% on international standards for health, safety, and environment and complied with the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers1 (IOGP) 577 standards as well as the US Coast Guards statutory requirements.

Whale will be the second Shell-operated deepwater development in the Gulf of Mexico to employ a simplified, cost-efficient host design. With this development approach, the company said it anticipates an internal rate of return estimated to be greater than 25%. Production is scheduled to begin in 2024.  

10.20.2023