Field Development Index

Next Section

Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Installations Introduction The offshore oil and gas industry has been using floating production, storage and offloading systems, or FPSOs, since the mid-1970s. They can offer significant advantages over fixed production platforms particularly in remote offshore locations where deep water, strong ocean currents and harsh weather conditions may occur, or where export pipelines are difficult to install or uneconomic to run. They can also be floated off at the end of a field's productive life and re-used elsewhere, which has environmental as well as economic benefits, particularly for marginal fields where the production facilities may only be required for a few years. Oil & Gas UK has an established committee to deal specifically with issues relating to FPSOs and other floating structures used on the UK Continental Shelf. Drawing on the shared experience and expertise of its member and associate member companies, as well as the Health and Safety Executive and the Department of Trade and Industry, the committee commissions studies covering a range of topics in the design, construction and safe operation of this type of oil and gas installation. It also publishes guidelines promoting best practice derived from this UK experience. These web pages provide basic information about the floating systems used in the UK today, particularly FPSOs. There are links to studies published by the FPSO committee and a search engine for relevant guidelines that may be purchased from the Association.

Frequently Asked Questions FPSO Committee Structure Oil & Gas UK FPSO Studies      FPSO Design Guidance Notes      Oil & Gas UK Flexible Pipe Study      Appendix A      Tandem Guidelines Volume 1 & 2      Integrity Main Study      Presentation Overheads      Data Gathering Questionnaire      Incident Reports      Survey Data      Integrity Study      Draft Best Practice Document      FPSO Inspection Repair and Maintenance Study FPSO/FSU Tank Workshop - Mar 07 Search for Press Releases and Briefings regarding FPSO issues Search for Oil & Gas UK Guidelines on FPSO Issues