ExxonMobil Guyana said in an operations update on Saturday that a detailed assessment has found that an axial vibration of the flash gas compressor rotor was the initiating event that led to the technical issue experienced on January 27 onboard the Liza Destiny FPSO.
“The resulting vibration within the compressor was the cause of the mechanical seal failure initially reported,” Public and Government Affairs Advisor, Janelle Persaud said.
The company said technical experts at the MAN Energy Solutions workshop in Germany continue to reassemble the internal components of the gas compressor and to date have completed the adjustment of all sealing components for the suction. The experts have also moved forward with the assembly and alignment of the seals and the bearings on the discharge side.
“A key component of the assembly, the discharge silencer, which was transported to Germany separately based on the disassembly sequence on the FPSO, is under evaluation and assessment to determine the scope of repairs required,” Persaud said, adding, “As previously indicated, reinstatement could take up to eight weeks.”
She said the company is conducting a comprehensive root cause analyses of the issues and will take full action to incorporate lessons learned for the FPSOs employed in future projects, including Liza Phase 2 and Payara.
