Major conversion and upgrade projects at Keppel

These include the FPSO Cidade de Paraty conversion from the VLCC Theseus, a project for Single Buoy Moorings, which is scheduled to leave the shipyard later this month. The FPSO will then head for Keppel FELS’s BrasFELS facility in Brazil for the installation and integration of topsides and, when completed, will be deployed in the deepwater Tupi Nordeste area located in Santos Basin, Brazil.

Currently, Keppel is also undertaking for SBM the fast track modification and upgrading of FPSO Espadarte, which was previously converted by the yard in 2000. To be renamed FPSO Cidade de Anchieta, the unit will be able to produce 100,000 barrels of oil per day at full capacity. Work undertaken includes upgrading the accommodation facilities, modifying the existing topside modules and internal turret mooring system as well as installing and integrating new topside process modules.

The third ongoing project by Keppel for SBM is the conversion of the VLCC Concorde Spirit into a FPSO facility, to be named FPSO OSX-2, which is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2013 for deployment in the Campos Basin, offshore Brazil. The yard’s work scope comprises refurbishment and life extension works, accommodation block extensions for 80 personnel, a new flare tower, a new internal turret mooring system and topside module supports.

FPSO Berantai, ex- FPSO East Fortune, is undergoing fast-track upgrading involving refurbishment and life extension works, installing and integrating new topside process modules, upgrading of spread mooring and auxiliary support systems. Work commenced in early 2011 and, when completed in the second quarter of 2012, the Petrofac International owned FPSO will operate in an oil and gas field offshore Malaysia.

The fast-track conversion of the LNG carrier Tenaga Empat into a FSU for Malaysian customer MISC Berhad is due for completion by mid- 2012. With a storage capacity of 130,000m³, the FSU Tenaga Empat will operate in the newly-developed Melaka LNG Import Terminal.

Another on-going project is the modification and upgrading of the FSO Massongo for Dixstone Holdings. Work includes refurbishment and life extension works, fabrication and installation of the cargo offloading balcony and helideck and integration of a 14-point spread mooring system. When completed in the third quarter of 2012, the FSO will operate in the Moudi field, Cameroon.

Keppel Shipyard has also been entrusted with the conversion of Bumi Armada Berhad’s latest FPSO, D1 FPSO. Slated for completion in 4Q 2012, it will have a production capacity of 50,000 barrels of oil per day, and a storage capacity of 580,000 barrels of oil. The FPSO has been chartered by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation for deployment in the D-1 field located 200km west of Mumbai, India.

Presently, Keppel is also working with Rubicon Offshore International on two major projects involving FPSO Rubicon Intrepid and Crystal Ocean. The first project is the fast-track upgrading of the external turret mooring system. Modification works on Crystal Ocean commenced in the fourth quarter of 2011.