Sembcorp Marine has successfully completed the Vito Regional Production Facility (Vito RPF) for Shell Offshore.
With the Vito RPF, the Group’s first floating production unit, Sembcorp Marine marks another major milestone in its newbuilding track record. The successful delivery further demonstrates the Group’s Tuas Boulevard Yard value proposition as a one-stop production facility capable of fabricating, assembling and installing larger and heavier integrated structures which help fulfil business objectives of safety, quality, time and cost. In 2019, the Group built and delivered a new-generation LNG/MGO dual-fuel semi-submersible crane vessel, the world’s biggest and strongest that can lift 20,000 tonnes.
The integration of Vito’s topside structure with its hull was executed safely and efficiently by a pair of state-of-the-art goliath cranes with 30,000-tonne combined lifting capacity and 100-metre hook height in Tuas Boulevard Yard. The yard’s ability to perform this type of mega-block lifting enabled the Vito topsides and living quarters to be fabricated and assembled at ground level to minimise work-at-height risks, before integration with the four-column FPU hull in a single lift.
The landmark project was executed in compliance with high quality, HSE (health, safety and environment) and sustainability standards, as well as stringent inspection processes by Shell, the Certified Verification Authority and the US Coast Guard.
The Vito FPU was successfully delivered to Shell on 27 December 2021 and the platform departed Tuas Boulevard Yard for Singapore’s anchorage to prepare for loadout and its sailaway to the Gulf of Mexico in the United States.
Mr Wong Weng Sun, Sembcorp Marine President & CEO, said: “The successful construction and delivery of Vito FPU is a key milestone in our newbuilding track record and a testament to Sembcorp Marine’s proven expertise and differentiated capabilities in the construction of turnkey projects for the offshore, marine and energy industries. We would like to thank Shell for their strong teamwork and steadfast support in overcoming the challenges and constraints brought on by COVID-19. We look forward to continuing this partnership with Shell for the Whale Host Facility.”
Sembcorp Marine is currently undertaking the construction of a second FPU project for Shell, involving the fabrication and integration of the FPU topsides, living quarters and hull, for the Whale development located in the United States Gulf of Mexico.
Headquartered in Singapore, Sembcorp Marine Ltd provides innovative engineering solutions to the global offshore, marine and energy industries.
Vito deepwater oilfield is located 241km south-east of New Orleans, in the Mississippi Canyon area of the US Gulf of Mexico and lays in 4,000ft of water depth.
The deepwater oilfield is owned by Shell Offshore (63.11%) and Equinor (36.89%), and operated by Shell. The estimated recoverable resources are up to 300 million barrels of oil equivalent. Vito is expected to produce up to 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day at peak production.
Vito was discovered by Anadarko in July 2009. The discovery well was drilled to a depth of 32,000ft by the Noble Amos Runner semi-submersible.
(Source: Sembcorp Marine – Image: Artist’s view of Vito FPU loaded on Cosco heavy lift vessel)