SBM Offshore has been awarded contracts to construct, install, lease and operate the Liza Unity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) which almost doubles the capacity of the Liza Destiny FPSO.

SBM made the announcement recently and the contract award was confirmed by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), an affiliate of Exxon Mobil Corporation. The Liza Unity FPSO will be designed to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day with a storage capacity of 2 million barrels in comparison to the Liza Destiny FPSO witth120,000 barrels of oil per day with 1.6 million barrels storage capacity.

Under the contracts, SBM Offshore will lease and operate the Liza Unity FPSO for up to two years. According to SBM, the awarding of the contracts follow the completion of a number of front-end engineering studies; receipt of government approvals and the final investment decision on the Liza Phase Two project by ExxonMobil and block co-venturers.
Meanwhile, the Liza Unity FPSO design is based on SBM Offshore’s industry leading Fast4WardTM programme which will incorporate the Company’s new build, multi-purpose hull combined with several standardized topside modules.

The FPSO will have associated gas treatment capacity of 400 million cubic feet per day and water injection capacity of 250,000 barrels per day. It will be spread moored in water depth of about 1,600 meters and able to store some 2 million barrels of crude oil.

“We are proud that ExxonMobil awarded SBM Offshore the contracts for the Liza Unity FPSO. The Company is confident that this project will demonstrate the value that our Fast4WardTMprogramme brings to our clients. We look forward to continuing the cooperation with our client ExxonMobil on this second important project in Guyana,” SBM Offshore Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bruno Chabas commented. The Liza field is located in the Stabroek block some 200 kilometers offshore Guyana.

EEPGL is the operator and holds a 45 percent interest in the Stabroek block; Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds a 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.