SBM Offshore puts FPSO work for ExxonMobil’s oil project offshore Guyana into the hands of Seatrium

Single Buoy Moorings, a subsidiary of the Netherlands-based FPSO operator SBM Offshore, has tasked Singapore-headquartered Seatrium Limited with the topsides fabrication and integration of a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel, which will work at U.S.-based ExxonMobil’s sixth deepwater oil development on the Stabroek block off the coast of Guyana.

After ExxonMobil made a final investment decision (FID) to develop the Whiptail oil development, representing the U.S. player’s sixth project in the Stabroek block offshore Guyana, SBM Offshore was put in charge of front end engineering and design (FEED) work for the FPSO Jaguar, which is destined to be deployed at the Guyanese field. With an expected field life of at least twenty years, the project is scheduled to come online in 2027.

The Dutch player has now decided to entrust Seatrium with a contract for the fabrication of several topsides modules, riser, mooring, and umbilical structures, followed by the installation and integration of these structures and all topside modules for the FPSO. The Singapore-based player will also support SBM Offshore with pre-commissioning and commissioning work.

Marlin Khiew, Executive Vice President of Oil & Gas (Americas) at Seatrium commented: “We are honoured to be able to support SBM Offshore and ExxonMobil Guyana in contributing to the oil and gas industry in Guyana with yet another FPSO for deployment in the Stabroek block.

“FPSO Jaguar reinforces Seatrium’s standing as the world leader in the conversion and integration of FPSOs, marking our 29th major project for SBM Offshore, a strong affirmation of our client’s confidence in Seatrium as a partner of choice in floating production systems.”

The work on this project is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2024. The FPSO will be deployed to serve the Whiptail field, upon completion. Designed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), the FPSO Jaguar will come with an associated gas treatment capacity of 540 million cubic feet per day (mmscfd), water injection capacity of 300,000 barrels of water per day (bwpd), and a storage capacity of 2 million barrels of oil.

The FPSO’s design is based on the Dutch firm’s Fast4Ward program, which incorporates the company’s seventh newbuild multi-purpose floater hull combined with several standardized topside modules. The vessel will be spread moored in a water depth of about 1,630 meters. The development concept for the Whiptail project entails the Whiptail, Pinktail, and Tilapia fields, along with potential additional resources, if they end up being feasible and economically viable.

In addition, this concept covers drilling operations via drillships to produce oil from around 40 to 65 production and injection wells. SBM Offshore expects to operate the FPSO Jaguar for ten years under the operations and maintenance enabling agreement signed in 2023.

Over the past few years, Guyana has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing oil region since its first offshore discovery in 2015. The Stabroek block, which covers 6.6 million acres or 26,800 square kilometers, is operated by ExxonMobil with a 45% interest. The company’s partners in the block are Hess Guyana Exploration (30%) and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana (25%). 

Seatrium has delivered three FPSOs – Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity – as part of the series of FPSOs bound for ExxonMobil’s projects on the Stabroek block offshore Guyana. The firm is also on track to deliver its fourth Guyanese FPSO, One Guyana to SBM.

Recently, the Singapore-based firm won a deal with MOFDEC for the installation and integration of topside modules on board the FPSO Errea Wittu, which will work at ExxonMobil-operated Uaru field in the Stabroek Block, approximately 200 kilometers off the coast of Guyana.