Operators and contractors at the World Oil Deepwater Development Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, identified standardization as a key driver of faster project delivery, while warning it could constrain innovation, according to insights from Welligence.
According to World Oil’s April feature, the conference brought together oil companies, service providers and equipment manufacturers to examine engineering and development challenges in deepwater and ultra-deepwater projects. Welligence, the event’s knowledge partner, said discussions focused on how standardized designs are shaping project execution across offshore regions, including Guyana.
SBM Offshore’s Fast4Ward standardized design was used for the four floating production, storage and offloading vessels deployed by ExxonMobil Guyana in the Stabroek Block: Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, Prosperity and ONE GUYANA. Additional units are under construction for future developments.
Participants said standardized hulls and subsea systems are reducing project timelines and improving capital efficiency. In Guyana, the Payara and Yellowtail developments were cited as examples where standardized designs have been applied at scale, allowing streamlined engineering, procurement and construction.
The Payara project achieved first oil in 2023 using the Prosperity FPSO. Yellowtail is being developed with the ONE GUYANA FPSO, based on the same standardized design. Based on learnings from past projects, ExxonMobil and SBM Offshore have been able to use the standard to continuously improve, bringing projects on ahead of schedule and optimizing production to generate more value.
SBM Offshore Fast4Ward concept a key driver behind ExxonMobil’s deepwater success in Guyana | OilNOW
At the Lisbon event, Delegates warned that heavy reliance on standardized solutions could limit competition and slow the adoption of new technologies. They said a narrow pool of pre-approved designs and suppliers may “lock out” alternatives and restrict more efficient solutions.
The discussion comes as operators seek to cut costs and accelerate first oil. Welligence said data presented at the conference showed a link between standardized approaches and improved project delivery, but noted that maintaining flexibility in design and contractor selection will be important for long-term efficiency.
The World Oil Deepwater Development Conference was held March 10-12 in Lisbon, Portugal.
