Dutch vessel specialist, SBM Offshore, is advancing towards the mechanical completion of the One Guyana floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel, a pivotal addition to ExxonMobil’s operations in the Stabroek block offshore Guyana.
Expected to be fully completed by the fourth quarter of this year, the project marks a significant milestone in SBM’s deployment strategy in the region.
During a recent company presentation in Singapore, SBM highlighted substantial progress on the One Guyana FPSO. Engineering stands at an impressive 94% completion, procurement at 98%, and fabrication and installation at 89%. Pre-commissioning and commissioning activities have also commenced, with 13% already executed by last month.
The latest module was successfully lifted in the second quarter of 2024, while the pile installation campaign is on track to conclude by the end of September. The FPSO, which arrived at Singapore’s Seatrium after construction at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, is currently undergoing integration of its topsides.
Key components of the topsides were fabricated by Qingdao McDermott Wuchuan (QMW), a joint venture involving McDermott and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), alongside contributions from Dyna-Mac Holdings and Seatrium, both based in Singapore.
ExxonMobil, operator of the Stabroek block, awarded SBM the charter to deploy and operate the One Guyana FPSO for up to two years, beginning with the production from the Yellowtail field offshore Guyana anticipated to commence in the third or fourth quarter of 2025.
Designed to process up to 250,000 barrels per day of oil and 450 million cubic feet per day of natural gas, the FPSO will boast a storage capacity of 2 million barrels of crude. Positioned in a water depth of 1,790 meters, the unit utilizes SBM’s innovative Fast4Ward concept, featuring a newly built, multi-purpose hull integrated with standardized topsides modules.
The Yellowtail development project, part of ExxonMobil’s broader strategy in the region, will involve an extensive drilling campaign, with plans to drill between 45 to 67 development wells. TechnipFMC, a UK-based contractor, is tasked with installing a comprehensive production system comprising 51 subsea trees, 12 manifolds, and associated umbilicals, risers, and flowlines.
The addition of the One Guyana FPSO to ExxonMobil’s fleet at Stabroek, alongside existing units Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity FPSOs, all supplied by SBM Offshore, will enhance Exxon’s production capabilities in one of the world’s most prolific offshore oil and gas regions.
