Overview of Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels

Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels are used in the offshore oil and gas industry to extract, store, and offload oil and gas from deepwater oil fields. FPSOs are preferred over traditional offshore oil rigs as they are more versatile and mobile, allowing for relocation to different offshore fields as necessary.

Size and Capacity

FPSOs come in a range of sizes, typically ranging from 200,000 to 2 million barrels of oil storage capacity. They are often converted from existing oil tankers or built from scratch at specialized shipyards. The length of an FPSO can range from around 200 meters to over 400 meters, with a beam of around 50 meters to 70 meters. The draft can vary depending on the water depth of the field it is operating in, with maximum drafts reaching up to 20 meters.

Engineering Features

FPSOs are equipped with production and storage equipment including crude oil separators, gas treatment facilities, water treatment systems, and oil and gas storage tanks. They are also outfitted with power generation systems, dynamic positioning systems, and various safety and environmental control systems.

Shipyards and Countries

FPSOs are typically constructed at specialized shipyards in countries such as South Korea, Singapore, China, and Brazil. Some of the major shipyards include Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), and Jurong Shipyard in Singapore.