Brazil-bound FPSO prepares for sailaway after christening at Seatrium’s yard

November 7, 2024, by Dragana Nikše

Singapore’s Seatrium has hosted a naming ceremony for a floating storage, production, and offloading (FPSO) unit constructed by Japanese giant MODEC destined to work off the coast of Brazil.

On October 21, 2024, Seatrium’s Tuas Boulevard Yard witnessed the naming ceremony of FPSO Bacalhau, described as the largest vessel of its kind to be delivered to Brazil. The Singaporean firm was in charge of undertaking integration work on the FPSO after Aibel wrapped up the work on topside modules.

As Seatrium prepares for the vessel’s scheduled sailaway, it expressed confidence that it will be an invaluable asset for the Bacalhau field in Brazil’s Santos Basin. The field’s operator, Equinor, is getting ready for the FPSO’s arrival, with first oil expected in 2025.

The vessel boasts the title of the world’s first FPSO with DNV’s Abate notation, received in July. This milestone is said to underscore Seatrium’s commitment to sustainability by minimizing carbon emissions and paving the way forward for a cleaner energy future.

MODEC’s Brazil-bound FPSO sets the bar on sustainability for newbuild units of this type

Certification & Classification

The ceremony brought together industry stakeholders to honor the completion of what Seatrium says is an impressive vessel, including representatives from Equinor and its partners in the Bacalhau development – ExxonMobil Brasil, Petrogal Brasil, and Pré-Sal Petróleo S/A (PPSA). Veronica Coelho, President and Country Manager of Equinor Brazil, officially named the FPSO.

“This FPSO represents the result of countless hours of planning, engineering, cross-border collaboration and teamwork, and reflects our commitment to innovation, safety, quality and sustainability,” said Takeshi Kanamori, MODEC’s Chairman and Executive Officer. “This FPSO embodies our shared vision. She will carry the hopes and aspirations of our team and the communities we serve when she sets sail to Brazil and starts operation.”

The FPSO marks the first application of MODEC’s M350 hull, a next-generation newbuild hull for FPSOs. The vessel, which is 364 meters long, 64 meters wide, and 33 meters deep, will be connected to 19 subsea wells. With a designed draft of 22.65 meters and a deck area of 17,400 square meters, it is equivalent in size to three standard football fields.