There are different types of an oil platform, but Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading FPSO stand out. FPSO is an oil production platform that floats on water and can produce, refine, store and subsequently offload petroleum products to other vessels.
It’s a floating vessel connected to a sub-sea production, injection export system via a series of risers. FPSO production platform has its processing unit on the topside of the tanker while the storage is in the hull.
What Does FPSO Mean?
FPSO is an acronym for Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading. For us to understand this topic, let us now take a look at each component one after the other.
Floating: The FPSO is a floating and movable platform. Unlike other offshore production platforms, FPSO is usually fixed to the sea bed. With an excellent central mooring system, the platform can rotate freely on the ocean and adjust itself to weather conditions. Also, its floating feature makes it an ideal platform for deep-sea and ultra-deep oil fields.
Production: The FPSO has a production unit where it transforms petroleum into refined products. Also, this unit makes the FPSO a unique platform that helps in creating value right on the spot of petroleum production. With the production unit in place, separation of water from crude oil is never a problem. Although the production unit is smaller compare to an onshore refinery, FPSO has a mini refinery where it generates gas for platform’s use.
Storage: The FPSO can store the partially processed oil before discharging into smaller tankers. Its storage is usually in the vessel’s hull (the lower part of the ship). Also, the reservoir and other compartments do not give room for leakages, thereby making it environment friendly.
Offloading: The FPSO occasionally discharges its content to shuttle vessel or pipelines. The essence of cargo transfer is to create room for future production storage and refining of old stock. At this stage, what the platform offloads is pure crude oil having extracted the water and gas content from the pumped crude. For further reading on offloading, check out one of our articles on ship-to-ship cargo transfer.
Main Parts of FPSO Production Platform
FPSO production platforms have a few essential parts, and for us to have good knowledge of them, let’s consider them one after the other.
The FPSO Vessel Itself: FPSO production platforms gives room for flexibility not only in structure but also, in ownership. You can convert an old vessel into an FPSO or build a new one from scratch. Whether an FPSO platform is old or new, owners usually configure them to fit into the required standard for its operating environment.
The Mooring System: The mooring system is another main component of an FPSO. Modern FPSO platforms are built upon a geostationary ‘turret’ mounted inside the hull. It leaves the vessel free to rotate to head into the prevailing weather. Some mooring systems are by patented technologies.
Process and Utilities: This comprises several modules which are but not limited to the following:
Power Generation Unit: The power generating unit is a gas turbine modules that usually comes in a different power range. This module is a necessity for any FPSO platform.
Gas Compression and Metering Unit: This module compresses the gas to a specified pressure, thereby allowing it to continue travelling along the pipeline to the intended recipient.
Gas Treatment Unit: A gas treatment unit (GTU) module is for treatment of natural gas according to specifications.
Separation Trains: The separation train is where the crude oil, gas, and bulk water are separated. Also, the separation train may consist of several stages of separators.
Sea Water Treatment Unit: Usually installed on the top side of an FPSO, The Sea Water Treatment module provides the necessary seawater treatment for sub-sea well injection.
Other units include Water Injection Unit, Chemical Treatment Unit and few others.
Benefits Of FPSO Production Platform
Benefits of FPSO production platform include a reduction in upfront investment, retention of value, and less abandonment cost. Also, it serves as an economical solution for marginal oil fields.
People adopt technology when it’s able to fill a void in their industry, and that is why FPSO has become a bride for petroleum producers. Let me take a few minutes to explain the above-listed benefits.
FPSO enhances reduced upfront investment. The cost of setting up FPSO is cheaper compare to what you need to set up a fixed Offshore platform. Therefore, oil producers want to limit their expenses, and one of the best ways to do that is to adopt FPSO technology.
It retains value for some time. Floating, Production, Storage, and offloading platform is movable, and its value remains intact even when you move it to another location. Unlike fixed platforms, you don’t need to erect massive structure before starting production in a new field.
FPSO attracts less abandonment cost: This is one of the reasons this type of platform is winning more producers. Floating production storage and offloading provide economical solutions for marginal oilfields. Also, the advent of this modern production technique has paved the way for an increase in offshore exploration activities.
Operational flexibility. FPSO enhances flexibility in explorer’s operations. It can operate all environments ranging from shallow to ultra-deepwater. In summary, with an FPSO, investors can explore marginal oil fields without incurring losses.
Also, it’s storage capacity ranges from less than 1000 metric tonnes to millions of barrels. Above all, its flexibility concerning redeployment to other areas when current field declines are exceptional.
Other Benefits
Self-sustenance in energy generation. A Floating Production Storage and Offloading platform can generate enough energy for its operations. It’s self-sufficient in its energy needs.
It enables conversion of abandoned ships to money-spinning structures. Another FPSO advantage is that conversion of an old vessel to production platform is possible. You don’t need a new tanker to build FPSO platform because you can achieve the same objective with an old ship. All that matters is that contracted dockyard constructs it to specification.
It promotes the emergence of more business opportunities. The advent of FPSO production platform has provided more business opportunities for shipyards. Also, shipowners are taking advantage of the bubble by converting their old vessels to FPSOs.