VESSELS, RIGS, & SURFACE SYSTEMS Robin Dupre • Houston
EMA: Busy times for FPSO contractors
with new awards on the way
Energy Maritime Associates (EMA) completed an in-depth analysis of the foating production sector as published in its 4Q 2014 report for FPSOs, semis, TLPs, FLNGs, FSRUs, and FSOs.
Sixteen production foaters and four FSOs have been ordered so
far this year. They include eight converted FPSO units – four for Africa, two for Brazil and two for Southeast Asia, two newbuild FPSOs,
four foating regas units, and two FLNG units. The pace of orders
has recovered from last year and is slightly above the 16-year average. However, this is still 20% below the 2010-2012 average.
Two FPSOs that had been unemployed since 2009 have received
new contracts this year. The Front Puffn FPSO, which operated from
2007-2009 in Australia, will be upgraded to operate in Nigeria’s Aje
feld. The Deep Producer 1 FPSO, built on speculation and left unfn-ished, will be completed for the Layang feld in Malaysia. However,
16 FPSOs, fve production semis, three FSOs, and two MOPUs remain without employment. Based on its analysis of previous redeployments, EMA expects more opportunities for recently demobilized units, such as the FPSOs Azurite, OSX- 2, Rubicon Vantage, and
Perintis. Units idle more than fve years are less likely to fnd new
employment.
The top fve FPSO leasing companies are executing more than
80% ( 13 of 16) of the leased FPSO units on order. Bumi Armada and
Modec are each executing four projects. SBM is executing three
large FPSOs for Petrobras. BWO and Teekay each were awarded
a new FPSO contract this year. Contractors are preparing for additional awards.
EMA’s database lists 17 FPSO lease projects in the bidding or fnal design stage, most of which are expected to be awarded within
the next 12-18 months. BWO is recruiting staff as it is “experiencing
substantial growth due to a surge of FPSO projects and its growing in-house FPSO and FLNG technology developments.” Bumi
Armada, BWO, Teekay, and Yinson all own VLCC hulls for future
conversion projects.
ABS awards approval in principle for frst
cylindrical FLNG production unit design
ABS has granted approval in principle (AIP) for the Sevan cylindrical foating LNG (FLNG) production unit concept for offshore
production, storage, and transfer of LNG, LPG, and condensate.
The next-generation FLNG design concept is based on the proven
circular and geostationary Sevan FPSO design, which is being used
in the Norwegian and UK central North Sea and offshore Brazil.
The full scope of design review for the FLNG concept includes an assessment of the feasibility of the structural strength of the equipped
FLNG hull and process topsides structure as well as a global performance and safety analysis conducted in accordance with the ABS
Rules and Guides for foating LNG units.
“By awarding Sevan AIP, we have acknowledged that the compa-
ny’s innovative approach to designing and constructing a frst-of-its-
kind FLNG production unit is based on sound engineering practices
and ABS classifcation standards,” said Tor-Ivar Guttulsrød, director
of FLNG, Global Gas Solutions, at ABS. “ABS continues to support
new FLNG concepts that, when fully developed and implemented,
will strengthen the emerging FLNG market.”
The Sevan FLNG production unit will have a proprietary cylindri-
cal hull capable of operating in more than 3,000-m ( 10,000-ft) water
depth and in harsh environments, such as extreme North Atlantic
and cyclonic conditions. The unit design is based on environmental
load calculations for a 100-year return storm in the Barents Sea.
Similar to the company’s FPSOs, the FLNG unit’s axio-symetric
hull shape enables high capacity for LNG storage and deck loads
and tolerance for weather spreading and eliminates the need to
weathervane in rough seas. The unit can be designed to have gas
processing and liquefaction up to 4 MTPA and store up to 240,000
cu m of LNG and 36,000 cu m of condensate.
According to Sevan, advantages of a cylindrical hull design include the elimination of the need for a turret and swivel and the
favorable motions with very little roll and pitch, as well as reduction
of typical wave induced fatigue loads and minimized hull defection,
which simplifes the topsides design.
“High availability, inherent safety, and simple operation should
be the main criteria when selecting technology offshore,” said Lars
Ødeskaug, COO at Sevan Marine ASA. “Sevan’s cylindrical FLNG
solution meets these criteria at an attractive cost. We are proud to
have been granted AIP for our unique design concept, which we
believe will introduce a better option for producing, storing, and
offoading LNG in challenging operating areas.”
Zhejiang Shipbuilding completes
the delivery of 12 ULSTEIN designed PSVs
Zhejiang Shipbuilding in Ningbo, China, has delivered Sea Swift,
the fnal of 12 platform supply vessels of the large PX105 design to
ship owner Deep Sea Supply Plc.
In addition to the basic design, ULSTEIN has delivered a comprehensive package of systems and equipment, as well as onsite
support.
The Zhejiang yard, part of the Sinopacifc Group, delivered all the
vessels during 2013 and 2014. The 12 vessels are constructed for operations worldwide with several currently working in the North Sea.
The Deep Sea Supply vessels are 88. 9 m (292 ft) long and 19 m ( 62
ft) in beam. The vessels have diesel electric propulsion and can keep
up a speed of 15. 5 knots.
The loading deck area is in excess of 1,000 sq m ( 10,764 sq ft),
and the vessels each have a dead weight of 4,700 metric tons ( 5,181
tons). The X-BOW hull line is designed to eliminate slamming from
head sea, increase comfort and safety, and reduce fuel consumption.
The vessels comply with the DNV requirements of either the Clean
or Clean Design standard.
ULSTEIN’s equipment deliveries include diesel electric propulsion and engines, and the system deliveries include power distribution and propulsion, automation, internal communication and
entertainment, navigation, and radio. The vessels were among the
frst in which ULSTEIN had the switchboards produced at their own
company in Ningbo, reducing delivery time due to shipment. •
Zhejiang Shipbuilding delivers Sea Swift. (Photo courtesy ULSTEIN)
