Drydocks World Completes Conversion of an EMEM FPSO for Okwok Field Offshore Nigeria
Drydocks World recently completed the full conversion and integration of an EMEM floating production storage and offloading unit at their Dubai facility for deployment on Nigerias Okwok field in Petroleum Mining Lease 15. This project involved the transformation of a double hulled tanker into a dedicated FPSO, including extensive structural modifications, upgrades, installation of 19 topside production modules commissioned by World Carrier Corporation on behalf of Oriental Energy Resources, as well as extensive marine system modifications to accommodate deployment operations on Nigerias Okwok field in Petroleum Mining Lease 15.
According to technical specifications released upon delivery, the EMEM FPSO will be capable of processing up to 70,000 barrels of total liquids daily and 15 million standard cubic feet of gas daily, as well as storing one million barrels of crude. Engineered for up to 15 years of continuous operation without drydocking, production on this vessel should commence by Q1 2026 in support of Nigerias strategy to increase offshore output.
Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission noted that this unit can accommodate up to 100 personnel and utilizes a 12 point spread mooring system. Furthermore, this FPSO boasts produced water treatment capacity of 60,000 barrels of water per day for treatment and injection; 15 million standard cubic feet per day gas processing; gas lift of 7.5 million standard cubic feet per day and gas injection capacity of 3.5 million standard cubic feet per day respectively - contributing towards national production targets set forth by NUPRC leadership.
Tamara Tokoni FPSO was recently offered for fast track redeployment to West Africa.
Mid November saw the formal offering of the FPSO Tamara Tokoni to operators for redeployment offshore West Africa for fast track projects and brownfield expansions. The industry-proven unit currently moored there has an established history of operating successfully under challenging offshore conditions while maintaining stable uptime and safety performance, making it a ready to deploy solution for near term developments.
Technical data released with its marketing campaign indicates that Tamara Tokoni can process around 40,000 barrels of oil daily, handle 66 million standard cubic feet of gas daily and inject 15,000 barrels of water daily; its crude oil storage capacity stands at approximately 1.1 million barrels. Redcliff Energy Advisors' is offering this unit for early production systems, fast track greenfield schemes or brownfield tieback projects that prioritize rapid first oil and reduced capital outlays as priorities.
Tamara Tokoni stands out from other newbuild FPSOs by its shorter delivery schedule; project teams estimate it can be readied for deployment within four to six months depending on modification scope and integration needs. Lease or lease-to-own agreements are on offer, while engineering support is also provided for field specific integration studies and feasibility analyses for interested operators.
ABS Enhances remote control functions for FPSO units
At the regulatory and classification levels, Hanwha Ocean received Approval in Principle for remote control functions developed by American Bureau of Shipping for their FPSO units designed by Hanwha Ocean. ABS reported having completed design reviews to meet their requirements for autonomous and remote control functions - marking another step forward toward higher levels of digitalisation and remote operability for floating production assets.
ABS approved an AiP with remote control elements intended to improve operational safety and efficiency by reducing onboard workload and increasing shore based monitoring/intervention capabilities. While technical details were not made public, ABS saw this approval as part of its wider programme to support autonomous and semi autonomous offshore systems, including production vessels as well as support vessels such as FPSOs. Such approvals provide regulatory pathways for integrating advanced control/monitoring technologies into new builds or major upgrades of these types of vessels.
Petrobras postpones two planned FPSO projects beyond 2030
Petrobras adjusted its long-term offshore portfolio by postponing contracting two FPSO units that had initially been scheduled for this decade. It confirmed in late November that one FPSO related to Albacora field revitalisation and another for Sergipe Aguas Profundas II project have both been postponed beyond 2030 and removed from their 2026 to 2030 business plans
Petrobras announced its decision to defer proposals on Albacora FPSO earlier this week and as part of an overall reassessment of capital allocation as they address market conditions and execution risks for projects like Sergipe Aguas Profundas II development. For that project, its second FPSO had already been facing schedule challenges before being officially moved out of current plan period; although these specific units are on hold until later in 2027; nevertheless they still plan to install 11 platforms into presalt by that date and study additional FPSOs for Tupi, Buzios 12 and Mero 5 developments by then.
Brazilian demand for FPSO units can be unpredictable and this decision highlights this reality. Contractors and suppliers who monitor pipeline projects like Albacora and Sergipe Aguas Profundas II may notice a shift in timing between projects as other presalt projects move forward, which may impact tendering strategies or capacity planning among key integrators targeting this market.
SBM Offshore highlights exceptional FPSO performance and pipeline in quarterly update.
SBM Offshore used its third quarter 2025 trading update to demonstrate both the operational contribution of its FPSO fleet and progress on its construction portfolio. Year to date directional revenue amounted to US$3.6 billion, an increase of 26 percent year on year due in part to three FPSOs reaching first oil, increasing their operational fleet to 17 vessels with combined capacity of 2.7 million barrels of oil per day
SBM also noted that one of its latest additions FPSO Almirante Tamandare had reached record production of 270,000 barrels of oil per day in October. Meanwhile, construction progressed on two more FPSOs for Guyana's next development by ExxonMobil: Jaguar for their next Guyana development and GranMorgu for TotalEnergies with projected deliveries for 2027-2028 respectively.
SBM reported on their discussions with Petrobras regarding the SEAP 1 and SEAP 2 FPSO tenders as well as growing market activity for FPSOs across various regions, their digital alliance with SLB and recent approval in principle for an ammonia FPSO concept from ABS as evidence of low carbon, digitally enabled offshore production solutions from SBM. Although not all these initiatives will lead to near term deployment, they indicate how major FPSO contractors are positioning for deepwater projects to come.