MODEC tucks new milestone for Guyana-bound FPSO hull under its belt

Japanese giant MODEC has achieved further progress in the construction of a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) hull, which will be deployed at ExxonMobil’s fifth oil development in the Stabroek block off the coast of Guyana.

The new milestone, which has been described as a significant feat, has been achieved for the FPSO Errea Wittu with the completion of the hull block assembly 40 days ahead of the original schedule. The latest landmark moment in this project follows the keel laying for the construction of the hull, which was done five weeks ahead of schedule.

“The vessel for Guyana is under construction at the shipyard in China and is expected to start oil production in 2026. This is another remarkable achievement and reflects our commitment to our client ExxonMobil Guyana and the entire Guyanese community,” highlighted MODEC.

A ceremony to mark the start of construction for the FPSO Errea Wittu was held on February 2, 2024, after Offshore Frontier Solutions, a MODEC Group company, was put in charge of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) work for the vessel based on its M350 newbuild hull. The FPSO unit will be situated on ExxonMobil’s $12.7 billion Uaru project, sanctioned in April 2023. 

Designed to produce approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day, the FPSO Errea Wittu will have an associated gas treatment capacity of 540 million cubic feet per day, a water injection capacity of 350,000 barrels per day, and produced water capacity of 300,000 barrels per day.

MODEC handed out several deals for work on the FPSO Errea Wittu to multiple players, including Seatrium, which recently joined the ranks of other players working on the FPSO, such as Jumbo Offshore Installation Contractors, SOFEC, ABB, TMC Compressors, and Miko Marine. 

The Japanese FPSO operator, whose affiliate, Offshore Frontier Solutions, recently teamed up with Toyo Engineering India to set up a global capability center as a joint venture company, called TOYO MODEC OFS India (OFS India), is determined to decarbonize its operations to reach net zero by 2050.

To this end, the firm is determined to come to grips with power generation issues, which it pinpointed as the main culprit for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 65% of its carbon footprint. Recently, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) upped its stake in MODEC to 15% to fortify its relationship and enhance the competitiveness of their offshore businesses.