SBM Offshore, on January 21, pulled back the curtain on one of the most critical assets in offshore energy production: the floating production, storage and offloading vessel, better known as the FPSO.
So, what exactly is an FPSO, and why does it matter?
“A floating production storage and offloading unit, or FPSO, is a complex infrastructure asset designed to produce and process oil and gas in remote offshore environments,” SBM Offshore explained in its FPSO Fundamentals insight published on LinkedIn.
FPSOs are used worldwide, especially in deepwater fields where fixed platforms are impractical. According to SBM Offshore, these vessels typically operate in water depths of 1,500 to 3,000 meters and are held in place by mooring systems anchored to the seabed.
Oil and gas begin their journey deep underground. “High-pressure fluids flow from the oil and gas reservoir in the seabed to the FPSO via flexible risers,” the company noted. Once onboard, the real work starts.
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Processing happens on the vessel’s topsides. SBM Offshore said fluids first enter the high-pressure separation module, where they are split into “unstabilized crude, water and high-pressure gas”. The process continues through low-pressure separation, followed by electrostatic treatment.
At this stage, “the crude is brought to atmospheric pressure and stabilized before being sent to the cargo tanks located in the hull,” SBM Offshore explained. The oil stays there until it is offloaded to tankers, measured through a metering skid, and transferred under strict environmental and safety rules.
Nothing goes to waste. Water separated during processing is treated to meet “criteria set by strict environmental standards” before discharge. In some cases, SBM Offshore said, the water is reinjected into the reservoir to support production.
Gas handling is equally complex. Gas from multiple separation stages is compressed, treated, and then either exported, reinjected into the reservoir, or used onboard. “A portion of the gas derived from the gas treatment unit will be treated to become fuel gas, primarily for the power generation modules of the FPSO itself,” the company stated.
Cooling and pressure support come from the ocean itself. Low-temperature seawater is drawn from depths of up to 250 meters below sea level. SBM Offshore said this “reduces the power demand on the FPSO and reduces CO₂ emissions”. Treated seawater can also be injected back into wells to maintain reservoir pressure.
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Technology plays a growing role. “Data is continuously collected and leveraged to improve the full product lifecycle, from design to engineering to operations.” The company noted that digital tools, closed flare systems, and deepwater intake technology all help cut emissions and boost efficiency.
Life onboard is intense. A typical FPSO accommodates between 180 and 240 people. SBM Offshore emphasized that vessels are built to “stringent industry safety standards,” with crews following rigorous procedures during daily operations, helicopter transport, and emergencies.
With “nearly 50 years of proven performance”, SBM Offshore said FPSOs remain the preferred solution for deepwater oil and gas production. The company added that it continues to advance FPSO design through its Fast4Ward program, focusing on “responsible, efficient and low carbon solutions that safely increase production capacity, extend offshore field life and support the energy transition”.
SBM Offshore is the builder and operator of the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, Prosperity and ONE GUYANA FPSOs currently producing oil offshore Guyana. The company is also constructing the Jaguar FPSO for the Whiptail development sanctioned by ExxonMobil for its Stabroek Block operations. Its role in Guyana goes beyond oil production, with growing community engagement projects creating long-lasting impacts on the local economy.
