FPSO: Lessons Learned: An Exploration of Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading Electrical Systems and Installation Issues

FLOATING, PRODUCTION, STORAGE, AND offloading (FPSO) systems are an alternative to other types of deep-water development and production systems such as spar platforms, tension leg platforms, and semi-submersible production systems. A large FPSO vessel may produce up to 300,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and/or 600 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (SCFGPD), with two million barrels or more of on-board oil storage. Oil is normally off loaded by shuttle tanker and associated gas and produced water are normally injected to maintain field pressure. These vessels typically have more extensive electrical systems than the typical fixed platforms. Electrical operating loads may total 40–50 MW or more depending on the vessel configuration. Selection of the large drivers (turbines versus motors), picking the generation configuration (including prime, essential, and emergency), configuring the electrical distribution system, and locating the various parts of the electrical distribution system (hull versus topsides) are major critical early decisions that will impact the future coordination efforts of the project. This article will explore the design of various electrical systems and installation issues of typical FPSOs and provide some lessons learned.