FPSOs

FPSOs of the World™

FPSOs of the world is a graphical representation of each FPSO installed around the world in Google Earth. Each FPSO is depicted on location to characterize the population in each geographical region.

Detailed information (such as water depth, production rates, storage capacity, class notation, project notes, etc.) is available by selecting each FPSO icon. Additional data is available from Provost Mgmt. The database is continually updated and uploaded to the website.

Download FPSOs of the World™ and open in Google Earth.

(Google Earth is free from earth.google.com)

FPSO (floating production, storage, and offloading) systems have been installed in nearly every offshore oil concession around the world as an economical and efficient solution. There are over 130 FPSOs installed today. The highest concentration of FPSOs is found in West Africa, Brazil, North Sea, Australia, and China.

Provost Mgmt Consulting is working on the first ships designed for production in the Gulf of Mexico. The work includes feasibility, concept selection, project management and engineering development of the unit’s design and construction. In addition, extensive work has been conducted on obtaining approval from the MMS, USCG, and the classification society.

Feasibility and concept work involves contractor assessment for disconnectable FPSOs used to avoid hurricanes and the different options and equipment available. Review of metocean studies are being conducted to evaluate the applicable design criteria. Much of this work has resulted in the contribution to the revised API RP 2FPS document, particularly the new section on disconnectable FPSOs. Methods and availability of shuttling oil have also been studied to determine the best approach for transporting production in an area dominated by pipeline infrastructure.

The development of the first ship designed for production in the Gulf of Mexico has included a thorough analysis of the design criteria and operational procedures regarding the safe and reliable disconnection and reconnection of the unit.

Some of the critical issues related to disconnectable production systems include the acceptable risk on unit design. Historic design requirements are those associated with the 100 year return hurricane environment. While disconnectable units provide an opportunity to reduce the design criteria since the extreme environments during a 100 year hurricane are theoretically avoided, a careful analysis of similar units installed in cyclone-prone areas of the world (such as Australia and South China) supplement safe operational procedures to realize tangible reduction of risk.

Provost Mgmt is helping to pioneer the development of alternative production solutions for deepwater Gulf of Mexico with an opportunity of improving the risk for Operators and addressing national interest in this strategic asset.

More discussion on the concept of FPSOs in the Gulf of Mexico can be found at the following links:

Disconnectable FPSO Technology Opens New Markets in the GOM

FPSOs for Marginal Deepwater GOM Fields Deemed Viable