SBM's world-first "star" ship design faces delays
2020-04-21 09:00
Photo: The first world-original Fast4Ward type Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel built by Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding for SBM Offshore successfully arrived in Singapore.
An SBM Offshore FPSO operating in Brazil has experienced a COVID-19 outbreak, with 53 workers confirmed infected. Another Fast4Ward type FPSO under construction is facing delayed delivery due to a shutdown caused by worker infections at Keppel Shipyard. As the pandemic develops, the world's largest FPSO operator, SBM Offshore of the Netherlands, is facing a major crisis. Fortunately, Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding just delivered its first Fast4Ward type FPSO in January this year, but the remaining four FPSOs it is building at Chinese shipyards may face delayed delivery.
The first world-original Fast4Ward type Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel "Liza Unity" is a "star" vessel type leading the international offshore equipment market for SBM Offshore of the Netherlands. The hull section of "Liza Unity" was built by Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding. After one year and nine months of meticulous construction, this world's newest FPSO was finally transformed from concept to reality and successfully delivered in December last year. After sailing 2300 nautical miles, the FPSO arrived at Keppel Shipyard in Singapore in January this year, where it will complete topside module construction and other upgrades.
However, SBM Offshore recently issued its latest announcement stating that due to the impact of the pandemic on the company's operations, some projects under the "Liza Unity" construction, installation, lease, and operation contracts may face delays.
"Since last week, the Singapore government has suspended activities at Keppel Shipyard for two weeks. Certain delays in project execution will be unavoidable. The company maintains close contact with clients and business partners to manage the situation, adjust execution plans, and develop mitigation solutions where appropriate."
It is understood that Keppel Shipyard has become one of Singapore's COVID-19 clusters, with the number of confirmed cases expanding to 21 people so far. Due to employees having direct contact with confirmed cases and the shipyard closure, a total of nearly 1500 people at Keppel Shipyard have been asked to take 14 days of leave.
SBM Offshore's "Liza Unity" FPSO is designed to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day, process 400 million cubic feet of natural gas, have a daily water injection capacity of 250,000 barrels, and store approximately 2 million barrels of oil. It will be moored at ExxonMobil's Liza oil field offshore Guyana, at a water depth of approximately 1600 meters. SBM Offshore had previously signed an FPSO contract with ExxonMobil for the Liza field. 
The Fast4Ward type FPSO is SBM Offshore's original "generic" hull design concept. Its basic design is an FPSO with a storage capacity of 2 million barrels of crude oil, jointly designed by China Shipbuilding 708 Institute and Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding. The hull has an overall length of 333 meters, a width of 60 meters, a depth of 33 meters, and a displacement of 460,000 tons, making it currently the world's largest tonnage and highest storage capacity new type of offshore floating production and storage unit. It meets a wide range of marine environmental conditions in areas such as the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, and Brazil, and is suitable for oil and gas development operations in various sea areas worldwide.
Currently, in response to the pandemic, SBM Offshore has activated safety and business continuity measures, including retaining only essential offshore maintenance, extending crew time offshore, and requiring crew to self-quarantine at onshore facilities before rotation. Most of SBM Offshore's office employees are already working from home.
SBM Offshore will also closely monitor the operational status of its fleet worldwide. Previously, an SBM Offshore FPSO offshore Brazil experienced a new coronavirus outbreak, with 53 workers confirmed infected.
SBM Offshore stated that the health and safety of its employees, contractors, and their families remain the top priority, and the company will strive to ensure the safe operation of all activities.
SBM Offshore is the world's largest FPSO operator, holding significant status and influence in the international offshore oil and gas sector. As of the end of 2019, SBM Offshore operates a global fleet comprising 14 FPSOs and 1 semi-submersible unit.
Photo: On March 16, the first Fast4Ward type FPSO project at China Merchants Industry Haimen Base was integrated.
It is reported that the company also has 2 Fast4Ward type FPSO hulls under construction at Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, with the second one having its main deck connected on January 10, and the third originally planned to start construction in March this year. SBM Offshore also ordered 2 Fast4Ward type FPSO hulls from China Merchants Industry, the first of which commenced construction in July last year.
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