SBM Offshore taps UK firm for job on fourth FPSO in Guyana’s offshore oil arena

Guyana Deepwater Operations, a subsidiary of Netherlands-based SBM Offshore, a provider of the design, construction, installation, and operation of offshore floating facilities, has picked EnerMech, a UK-based integrated solutions specialist, for pre-commissioning work on a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel, which will be deployed on ExxonMobil’s fourth oil project in the Stabroek block off the coast of Guyana.

After taking care of pre-commissioning campaigns for all three FPSOs – Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity – currently producing in the Stabroek block offshore Guyana, EnerMech has now been selected to carry out the same work on the FPSO One Guyana, which is set to arrive in Guyanese waters this year. 

Frazer Thomson, EnerMech’s VP of Operations in Americas, highlighted: “The One Guyana FPSO pre-commissioning scope of work requires precise execution and deep technical expertise to manage the complex challenges these operations present, and we have consistently delivered successful outcomes for SBM GDO in the region. Our ability to deploy specialised personnel and advanced technology underlines our readiness to handle the demanding environment of deepwater operations.” 

In addition, the UK player has secured the gas-to-energy pipeline pre-commissioning project, including the FPSOs Liza Destiny and Unity TARs. Thanks to the pre-commissioning contract, EnerMech will execute operations such as offshore risers leak testing, gas injection riser de-watering, umbilical electrical and fiber optic testing, along with the installation of interconnecting tubing and flushing and testing equipment on the FPSO One Guyana.

Charles Davison Jr., EnerMech’s CEO, commented: “We are honored to be selected once again by SBM Offshore for such a pivotal project, reinforcing the trust and confidence placed in our solutions orientated strategies and capabilities. This award builds on EnerMech’s extensive experience with the three preceding FPSOs – Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity – demonstrating our commitment to delivering a high-quality service in the region.  

“Our selection for this critical work reflects not only our proven track record but also our unparalleled expertise and rigorous standards we adhere to. We look forward to contributing to the success of the One Guyana FPSO and further supporting the energy ambitions of Guyana.” 

SBM Offshore’s FPSO One Guyana, constructed for ExxonMobil, is designed to produce approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day, with an associated gas treatment capacity of approximately 450 million cubic feet per day, and a water injection capacity of approximately 300,000 barrels per day. With the capacity to store around 2 million barrels of crude oil, this FPSO will be spread-moored in a water depth of around 1,800 meters. 

Darrel Sookdeo, EnerMech’s Guyana Country Manager, noted: “We are committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and efficiency whilst bolstering our local content, ensuring that the One Guyana FPSO is fully prepared to meet its production targets as it enters the next phase of its journey.” 

ExxonMobil green-lighted its fourth project within the Stabroek block, called the Yellowtail development, which comprises six drill centers and up to 26 production and 25 injection wells, in April 2022 and followed it up with a contract confirmation with SBM Offshore for the supply of the FPSO One Guyana.

With a design incorporating the Dutch player’s Fast4Ward program, the FPSO entered drydock in March 2023 at the Keppel yard, which it left nearly a year later to arrive along the quayside at the Seatrium yard in Singapore. In September 2024, SBM Offshore confirmed the unit’s move to the integration and commissioning phase.

Covering 6.6 million acres or 26,800 square kilometers, the Stabroek block is operated by ExxonMobil’s affiliate in Guyana with a 45% interest. The company’s partners are Hess Guyana Exploration (30%) and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana (25%).

The U.S. oil major plans to have six FPSOs with a gross production capacity of more than 1.2 million barrels of oil per day online on the Stabroek block by the end of 2027, with the potential for up to ten FPSOs on the table to develop the estimated gross discovered recoverable resources of over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

SBM Offshore is also constructing the FPSO Jaguar for ExxonMobil’s Whiptail oilfield development, which is the U.S. energy giant’s sixth project in the same block. The Dutch firm is busy with other projects too, as confirmed by a recent award of a study, covering the design and the commercial evaluation of various carbon capture systems’ configurations to be installed on future FPSOs for Brazil’s Petrobras.

Meanwhile, EnerMech recently won a multi-year contract extension with North Oil Company (NOC), a joint venture between QatarEnergy (70%) and TotalEnergies (30%), for work at the largest oil field off the coast of Qatar.