Guide To Floating Production Systems - Everything You Need To Know - EMA
Guide To Floating Production Systems - Everything You Need To Know - EMA
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Floating Production systems (FPSs) emerged in the 1970s as an option to produce hydrocarbons that were discovered further offshore
in water depths that exceeded viability of fixed platform installation. Today FPS units are available in numerous shapes and size each
with their own unique characteristics, strengths and weaknesses. Each production unit an operator selects is typically designed for a
specific offshore field though some units have been repurposed through upgrade and/or modification.
Initial production from FPSs began in 1975 from Argyll in the North Sea followed by production in 1977 from Castellon in the Spanish
Mediterranean. During the next few decades FPSs were primarily installed in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. Thereafter,
exploration and discoveries in other hydrocarbon basins worldwide saw increased FPS installation activity off Brazil, West Africa and
Southeast Asia.
An operator’s decision to develop a field with an FPS requires assessment of numerous factors with oil pricing being one of the most
influential and deciding. The FPS selection decision must include review of field geology and environmental characteristics including
hydrocarbon specification, reservoir requirements (water/gas/chemical injection), well/subsea configuration, water depth, ocean
current and weather. Additional decision factors include expected life of field, onboard hydrocarbon storage and/or processing
requirements, potential tiebacks, budget, distance to shore and proximity to any existing nearby infrastructure, on and offshore.
Since 1975, offshore field development solutions and FPS designs have become increasingly more complex. Additional improved
hydrocarbon extraction, zonal isolation, increased pumping power for injection, larger mud motors, enhanced seismic, rotary
steerable systems, deeper large bore wells, horizontal drilling, and lateral drilling have all contributed to the expansion of the FPS
armada and flotilla. Consider the relative simplicity of available car options in the late 70s in comparison to the available options on a
new vehicle today – even standard vehicle safety features have improved exponentially.
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FPSOs have three key components, the hull, topside and mooring
system. FPSO designs vary by vessel and are tailored to a field’s
characteristics. As an example, the Turritella FPSO features a large
disconnectable buoy allowing the FPSO to escape inclement
weather, specifically hurricanes.
3 Production Semis
Production Semis were initially converted from existing drilling rigs,
with the first conversion taking place in 1975 for use on the
Hamilton Brothers Argyll and Duncan fields in the North Sea. As of
December 2019, 39 Production Semis are in operation. The units
are well suited for use on complex deepwater fields involving a
large number of wells over a dispersed area.
3 Production Semis
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The first TLP, Hutton, was installed in 1984 for Conoco for
operation in the North Sea. Worldwide water depths for installed
units are between 656 ft and 5,200 ft (200 m and 1,585 m).
5 Spars
Spars are similar to TLPs in that both are platform structures that
float vertically in the water, allowing production or drilling facilities
to be installed. As with other floating production systems,
components of a Spar include the hull, topside and mooring
system.
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5 Spars
Spars are similar to TLPs in that both are platform structures that
float vertically in the water, allowing production or drilling facilities
to be installed. As with other floating production systems,
components of a Spar include the hull, topside and mooring
system.
The FLNG hull is used to store LNG and other liquids. Topsides may
be configured for liquefaction-only or configured for both
liquefaction and processing. Field characteristics and location
predominately determine which topside configuration is installed
on the unit. Current FLNG designs are either turret or jetty moored
systems.
Current water depths for FLNGs range between 262 ft and 7,418 ft
(80 m and 2,261 m).
The units are complex and costly, especially with the addition of
processing capability. Storage capacity, mooring and design impact
Hi there! Our newest quarterly
cost. Current liquefaction only units range in cost from $300 million
report is out now and we expect
to $1.8 billion and processing and liquefaction units cost between
$1.8 billion and $7 billion. pace of new awards to increase.
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Most FSOs store oil, although a few store LPG or LNG. Oil storage
capacity on FSOs range from 60,000 barrels to 3 million barrels.
LPG FSOs store between 54,000 m3 and 83,000 m3 of liquefied
petroleum gas. LNG FSOs store around 130,000 m3 of liquefied
natural gas.
FSOs have many mooring options based on location and have been
installed in water depths between 49 ft and 3,871 ft (15 m and
1,180 m).
Converted FSOs cost between $30 million and $200 million while
newbuild FSOs cost between $100 and $300 million. Currently, 102
units are in operation.
The first MOPU was installed in the Ekofisk Field in the Norwegian
Hi there! Our newest quarterly
North Sea in 1971. The units are mainly used in the Mediterranean,
report is out now and we expect
South Asia and Southeast Asia, although a few MOPUs have been
designed for harsh environments pace of new
like the awards
North Sea to
andincrease.
Canada.
The first MOPU was installed in the Ekofisk Field in the Norwegian
North Sea in 1971. The units are mainly used in the Mediterranean,
South Asia and Southeast Asia, although a few MOPUs have been
designed for harsh environments like the North Sea and Canada.
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10 Final Selection
Prior to selection of a FPS, the field operator and its partners
evaluate various options for economic development of the field.
Based on field characteristics, oil price, water depth, weather,
location, and other variables mentioned above commercial and
strategic decisions are prepared. Then, technical assessments and
commercial estimates are made and reviewed in an iterative
process until an optimum field development solution is selected.
Once the FPS design is chosen, the specifications are developed
and bidding documents are prepared. Following pre-qualification
of all potential bidders, the operator submits a tender with
requests for bids to the pre-qualified bidders.
This phase of FPS selection and bid tendering process often takes
as long, or longer, than the actual FPS construction. Contract award
is often based on lowest price, assuming the bidder’s proposal
fulfills all the technical, commercial, and contractual requirements.
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Press Release:
Energy
0
Maritime
Associates
Releases Q2
2021 Floating
Production
Report
April 21, 2021
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