Floating production storage offloading concept
Keywords:
Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading vessels, mooring system, offshore, renewable resources.
Abstract
This article explains the advantages of Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading vessels, recent trends in mooring systems, hull construction, safety, and operational aspects. These types of vessels are vital to the modern offshore oil and gas industry. These specialized ships are designed to process and store hydrocarbons from offshore oil fields and of fload them to shuttle tankers or pipelines. Their adaptability and mobility make them especially valuable in deepwater and remote locations. These vessels, converted or specifically built for oil production, represent a significant evolution in the offshore extractive industry, offering a set of operational, economic, and strategic advantages that have positioned them as preferred options in numerous projects around the world.
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References
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environmental_assessment_of_FPSO_offshore_platforms_with_CO2_capture_and_
storage.
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[24]. Xu, S., and Ji, C. Y. “Dynamics of Large-Truncated Mooring Systems Coupled With a Catenary Moored Semi-Submersible”, China Ocean Eng., 28(2), pp. 149–162, 2014.
[25]. Zhao, N., You, F. “Can renewable generation, energy storage and energy efficient technologies enable carbon neutral energy transition?”, Applied Energy, 279, 115889, 2020.
[26]. Zou, T., Kaminski, M.L. “Applicability of WaveWatch-III wave model to fatigue assessment of offshore floating structures”. Ocean Dynamics 66, pp. 1099–1108, 2016.
[27].https://www.identecsolutions.com/news/fpso-layout-pump-separate-and-store-in-one.
Challenge,” Deep Offshore Technology Conference, New Orleans, LA, Paper No. 24-3, 2004.
[2]. Allahyarzadeh-Bidgoli, A., Dezan, D.J., Salviano, L,O., de Oliveira Junior, S., Yanagihara, J.I. “Lifetime sensitivity analysis of FPSO operating parameters
on energy consumption and overall oil production in a pre-salt oil field”. Chem Eng Commun, 207 (11), pp.1483–507, 2020.
[3]. Bell, J. M., Chin, Y. D., Hanrahan, S. “State-of-the-art of ultra-deepwater production technologies”. In: Offshore Technology Conference. OTC, 2005. p. OTC-17615-MS. Available in: https://onepetro.org/OTCONF/proceedings-abstract/05OTC/All-05OTC/29710. Access in: 01 October 2025.
[4]. Fontaine, E., Kilner, A., Carra, C., Washington, D., Ma, K.T., Phadke, A., Kusinski, G. “Industry survey of past failures, pre-emptive replacements and
reported degradations for mooring systems of floating production units”. In Proceedings of the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, TX, USA, 5–8
May 2014.
[5]. Gallo, W.L.R., Gallego, A., Acevedo, V., Dias, R., Ortiz, H.Y., Valente, B.A. “Exergy analysis of the compression systems and its prime movers for a FPSO unit”. Nat Gas Sci Eng, 44:287e98, 2017.
[6]. Girón, A.R.C., Kim, B.W., Farfán, J.A.M., Hernández, A.O.V. “Transient effects of an FPSO with a broken mooring line”. In Proceedings of the Twenty Fifth International Ocean and Polar Engineering Conference, Kona, HI, USA, 21–26 June 2015.
[7]. Hasan, M., S. “A Simplified Method for Analyzing the Fatigue life of a FPSO Mooring System”. Procedia Engineering 194, pp.502 – 508, 2017.
[8]. Howell, G. B., Duggal, A. S., Lever, G. V. “The Terra Nova FPSO turret mooring system”. In: Offshore Technology Conference. OTC, 2001. p. OTC-13020 MS. Available in: https://onepetro.org/OTCONF/proceedings-abstract/01OTC/All-01OTC/35343. Access in: 01 october 2025.
[9]. Hong, J.P., Cho, S.K., Seo, J.H., Sung, H.G., Lee, D.Y., Park, I.B., Kim, D.W. “Experimental study of effect of mooring line failure on behavior of turret moored FPSO ship”. J. Ocean Eng. Technol., 29, pp. 231–240, 2015.
[10]. Howell, G., Duggal, A., Heyl, C. and Ihonde, O. “Spread Moored or Turret Developments”. Proceedings of Offshore West Africa. 1–21, 2006.
[11]. Hwang, J.H., Roh, M.I. and Lee, K.Y. “Integrated engineering environment for the process FEED of offshore oil and gas production plants”. Ocean Systems Engineering, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 49-68, 2012. https://doi.org/10.12989/ose.2012.2.1.049.
[12].Legorburu, I., Johnson, Kate R., Kerr, Sandy A. “Offshore Oil and Gas. In Building Industries at Sea - ‘Blue Growth’ and the New Maritime Economy”, 1st Edition, eBook ISBN 9781003337430, 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/reader/download/b185585d-11a5-4195 99667109bb8b7e29/chapter/pdf?context=ubx
[13]. Lin, Y., Yang, Q., and Guan, G. “Scantling Optimization of FPSO Internal Turret Area Structure Using RBF Model and Evolutionary Strategy”, Ocean Eng., 191, pp. 106562, 2019.
[14]. Luo, Y., and Baudic, S. “Predicting FPSO Responses Using Model Tests and Numerical Analysis”, International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Honolulu, HI, May 25–30, pp. 167–174, 2003.
[15]. Mastrangelo, C.F., Lan, C.M., Smith, C.E. “From tanker-ships to the first FPSO in the US GoM”. In Proceedings of the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, TX, USA, 6–9 May 2019.
[16]. Mari Voldsund, Tuong-Van Nguyen, Brian Elmegaard, Ivar S. Ertesvåg, Signe Kjelstrup. “Exergy destruction and losses on four North Sea offshore platforms: A comparative study of the oil and gas processing plants”. Energy, 74: pp. 45-58, 2014.
[17]. Montasir, O.A., Yenduri, A., Kurian, V.J. “Mooring system optimisation and effect of different line design variables on motions of truss spar platforms in in
tact and damaged conditions”. China Ocean Eng., 33, pp.385–397, 2019.
[18]. Morais, José Mauro de. Petróleo em águas profundas: uma história tecnológica da Petrobras na exploração e produção offshore. 2023. 2ª Edição.
IPEA. Instituto de Estudos de Política Econômica/Casa das (IEPE/CdG). Available Garças in: https://repositorio.ipea.gov.br/handle/11058/1147. Access in: 01 October. 2025.
[19]. Portella, A., G., Souza de Abreu, V. H., dos Santos, M. “Role of FPSOs in deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration: a literature review on social manufacturing systems in industry 5.0”. Conference: ENSUS 2024 - XII Encontro de Sustentabilidade em Projeto –UFMG At: UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas
Gerais, 10.29183/25962024. DOI: 237x.ensus2024.v12.n1.p968-978.
[20]. Potrč, S., Čuček, L., Zore, Ž., Kravanja, Z. “Synthesis of Large-Scale Supply Networks for Complete Long-term Transition from Fossil to Renewable based Production of Energy and Bioproducts”, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 81, pp.1039-1044, 2020.
[21]. S´anchez, Y.A.C. “Exergy and Environmental Assessment of FPSO Offshore Platforms With CO2 Capture and Storage”, University of S˜ao Paulo, 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.academia.edu/92313155/Exergy_and_
environmental_assessment_of_FPSO_offshore_platforms_with_CO2_capture_and_
storage.
[22]. Vasconcellos, Jose M., Fernandes, Antonio C., Santos, Alberto Ferreira, Marcos D. A. S. “FPSO: Tanks Optimization Design Approach”. In: International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering pp. 431-436, 2005. Available in: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/OMAE/proceedings abstract/OMAE2005/431/305361. Access in: 01 October. 2025
[23]. Wihers, J.E.W., Devlin, P.V. “Effect of Coupling of Mooring Lines and Risers on the Design Values for a Turret Moored FPSO in Deep Water of the
Gulf of Mexico”. In Proceedings of the Eleventh International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Stavanger, Norway, 17–22 June 2001.
[24]. Xu, S., and Ji, C. Y. “Dynamics of Large-Truncated Mooring Systems Coupled With a Catenary Moored Semi-Submersible”, China Ocean Eng., 28(2), pp. 149–162, 2014.
[25]. Zhao, N., You, F. “Can renewable generation, energy storage and energy efficient technologies enable carbon neutral energy transition?”, Applied Energy, 279, 115889, 2020.
[26]. Zou, T., Kaminski, M.L. “Applicability of WaveWatch-III wave model to fatigue assessment of offshore floating structures”. Ocean Dynamics 66, pp. 1099–1108, 2016.
[27].https://www.identecsolutions.com/news/fpso-layout-pump-separate-and-store-in-one.
Published
2025-12-13
How to Cite
1.
Bujor A, Rusu E, Gasparotti C. Floating production storage offloading concept. Annals of ”Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati. Fascicle XI Shipbuilding [Internet]. 13Dec.2025 [cited 15Dec.2025];48:39-4. Available from: https://www.gup.ugal.ro/ugaljournals/index.php/fanship/article/view/9433
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