The following compilation highlights the latest FPSO development updates from the offshore energy sector.
Agogo FPSO set to sail to Angola
Yinson Production has held a naming ceremony for Azule Energy’s Agogo FPSO at the Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry (Shanghai) Shipyard in Shanghai.
The vessel is preparing to sail for Angola, where it will operate at the Agogo Integrated West Hub development in Block 15/06 under a 15-year firm charter, extendable by a further five years.
Yinson estimates the total contract value at up to $5.3 billion.
Azule Energy, the joint venture between bp and Eni, awarded the contract in February. To cut emissions, features of the FPSO include a closed flare system, hydrocarbon blanketing, combined cycle technology, automated process controls, all-electric drive systems and what is claimed to be the first pilot of a post-combustion carbon capture system on an FPSO.
Collectively, these should reduce the FPSO’s emissions by up to 27%.
More SBM floaters nearing startup
SBM Offshore has provided an update on its current FPSO newbuild projects in its latest results statement.
The Alexandre de Gusmão platform departed the yard in China in December following completion of the onshore topsides integration/commissioning phase. It is currently sailing to Brazil and the Petrobras-operated Mero field in the Santos Basin. It should produce first oil in 2025.
Integration work has finished for FPSO ONE GUYANA, with commissioning in the final stages. First oil from the Yellowtail field offshore Guyana is anticipated in the second half of the year.
The Fast4Ward MPF hull for the FPSO Jaguar has been delivered to Singapore in preparation for remaining vessel activities. Fabrication continues here of the topside modules; first oil is due in 2027.
Another Fast4Ward hull has been delivered for the FPSO GranMorgu, which will work offshore Suriname for TotalEnergies and APA Corp. Engineering and procurement are progressing as scheduled.
SBM has since ordered a 10th MPF hull; it currently has two reserved for tendering activities.
The company has secured a contract extension for the lease and operation of the FPSO Saxi Batuque offshore Angola through June 2026.
In other developments, SBM aims to offer a market-ready near-zero emission FPSO this year, featuring carbon capture capabilities, combined cycle gas turbines and deepwater intake risers.
Earlier this year, the company completed an investment agreement with Ocean-Power in Norway to develop and commercialize offshore power generation units with CO2 capture and storage.
SeaRose FPSO close to restart offshore eastern Canada
Cenovus Energy expects the SeaRose FPSO to resume production later this month at the White Rose field offshore Newfoundland and Labrador.
Following life extension work at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the vessel has been reconnected to the White Rose offshore infrastructure.
Late last year, the West White Rose project achieved mechanical completion of both the concrete gravity structure and the topsides. Seabed preparations for installation of the concrete gravity structure at the field location also finished.
This year, Cenovus added, will be the installation and commissioning of the platform. Overall, the West White Rose project is about 88% complete and on track to deliver first oil in 2026.
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) is issuing a Call for Nominations (Areas of Interest) for exploration in selected low activity regions (NL25-CFN01). These include Labrador North, Labrador South, North Eastern Newfoundland and South Eastern Newfoundland.
Based on responses, C-NLOPB will considering a sector for introduction into the scheduled land tenure system.
