Chinese firm kicks off topside fabrication for Black Sea bound-FPU

May 19, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

China-based provider of clean energy services Wison New Energies (WNE) has initiated the construction of topside fabrication for a floating production unit (FPU) destined to be deployed at Türkiye’s largest natural gas field.

FPU for Sakarya gas field; Source: Wison New Energies

Wison New Energies has begun topsides fabrication for an FPU, which will work on the Sakarya gas field development project (Phase 3) in the Black Sea, operated by Türkiye Petrolleri A.O. (TPAO).

Following the first steel cutting in February 2026, the project has achieved another key milestone, according to the Chinese firm, which explains that the main functional modules are scheduled to complete lifting in June 2027.

Upon delivery, the FPU will serve as the core facility for the Sakarya gas field Phase 3, integrating gas processing, compression, and export functions, with a designed gas export rate of 25 million standard cubic meters per day (scmd).

This FPU is anticipated to play a vital role in supporting the stable production at the gas field, strengthening Türkiye’s domestic natural gas supply capability, and enhancing regional energy security.

The deal TPAO handed out to Wison New Energies comes months after Saipem got the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of three additional pipelines for the project as part of a contract with Turkish Petroleum Offshore Technology Center (TP-OTC).

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Located about 170 kilometers off the coast of Filyos, Zonguldak, the project’s third phase entails a new dedicated FPU, fed by 27 wells at the Sakarya and Amasra fields, connected by a new trunkline to the onshore facility in Filyos, on Türkiye’s Black Sea coast.

The Asian player emphasized: “Leveraging our international project management system and execution experience, Wison New Energies will continue working closely with TPAO and project partners to ensure safe and efficient project delivery, with the goal of establishing a benchmark project in the deepwater FPU sector and contributing to the sustainable development of the global energy industry.”