AWARDS 2022 | Best FPU – Vito RPF – Seatrium

Floating production units (FPUs) are highly complex examples of the shipbuilder's art. This particular vessel shows why Seatrium (formerly Sembcorp) is a leader in the FPU sector. This vessel should be a harbinger of better times to come in the offshore oil and gas sector.

"We were able to fabricate and integrate the topsides, the living quarters, and the hull in one location," Seatrium told Baird Maritime. "Work procedures could be standardised and workmanship quality was consistent under the single yard execution. Manpower could be also easily cross-deployed to support more critical activities."

The builder added that the FPU is the first in a new series of design-one-build-many production units. For Seatrium, the project was also the extension of collaboration with Shell.

"We overcame the initial hurdles of training a large pool of structural and piping welders to meet ideal standards. We also developed building methods and infrastructure to fabricate the FPU's unique rounded hull columns and stringent USCG-compliant living quarters."

Through this project, Seatrium was also able adopt the latest industry norms and IOGP standards to increase safety awareness and implement new practices across the yard workforce and projects. The company also improved traceability in the quality recording system, in the process also optimising redundant procedures without compromising either quality or safety.

Seatrium enjoyed continued progress in 2022 with the completion and delivery of three floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) and two modern drillships, even though the projects were severely impacted by Covid. The company also secured a significant engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for an FPSO in Brazil.

"We expect the enlarged Seatrium group will be able to benefit from having a broader geographical footprint, a larger operational scale, and combined technologies and capabilities of two of Singapore's leading O&M companies [Sembcorp Marine and Keppel Offshore and Marine]," the builder told Baird Maritime. "The group is also better positioned to convert its orders pipeline into firm contracts, including participation in more green energy solutions across the entire energy value chain."

Seatrium added that the industry is riding the oil and gas upcycle following the sluggish oil crisis and the pandemic. Achievable products in this scope include EPCIC, mid-size FPSO, and production semi-projects. The company also continues to target the FLNG conversion and floating terminal market segment.

"In the global transition to a decarbonised future, the offshore industry will also be increasingly focused on and see stronger support for greener solutions in the offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen. and ammonia spaces. We are also poised to participate in drilling projects if there is a resurgence. To be designed for enhanced efficiency and sustainability, these drillships are likely to incorporate energy-efficient and low-carbon features."

For a list of the 2022 "Best Of" award winners, please click here.