MODEC unveils “next-gen” FPSO designs

Japanese FPSO specialist MODEC has revealed two new FPSO designs, which it says will fill the need for larger deck space and storage capacity, and longer FPSO design life, among others.

The design names for the two next-generation design are MODEC NOAH and M350.

MODEC said: “In recent years, large FPSOs have mainly been based on converting used Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). However, as a result of increases in required crude oil and gas production capacities, the topsides have become bigger and heavier, which has led to insufficient deck space area and insufficient crude oil storage capacity.”

“Additionally, the durations of the client contracts are increasing, thereby requiring longer FPSO design lives. Going forward it is expected that there will be a heightened demand for new built FPSO hulls,” MODEC said.

Responding to those demands, the Japanese company it has teamed up with Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding and has developed the MODEC NOAH, “a next-generation newbuilt hull.”

MODEC has said that the hull design offers a large deck area to cope with the trend toward larger, heavier and more complex topsides, and is a modular design concept, to accommodate a large variety of requirements for various FPSO projects, including various mooring configurations.

The company has said the MODEC NOAH hull form consisting of flat or 2-dimensional bending plates would reduce construction costs, minimize slamming loads impact, and offer improvement in the safety of the living quarters.

The hull, per MODEC, would be made in such way to allow for work efficient layout for adequate maintenance activities required in the long-term operations; and more comfortable living area for crewmembers that takes into account their working environment and living environment.

Also, MODEC and China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry have developed “a second next-generation” new built FPSO hull, the “M350”, which has received AiPs from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and DNV GL.

“With two next-generation new built FPSO hulls in MODEC’s portfolio, namely, “MODEC NOAH” and “M350”, MODEC is very well prepared to meet the new market demands for larger FPSOs. In addition, MODEC continues to offer FPSOs based on existing tanker conversions, depending on client requirements,” MODEC said.

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