Equatorial Guinea: Exxon Extends FPSO Contract with SBM Offshore

SBM Offshore has received an extension of two years for the operating contract of the FPSO Serpentina from ExxonMobil in Equatorial Guinea, with options to extend for a further three years.

FPSO Serpentina was the second generic FPSO that Keppel Shipyard converted for SBM, following the completion of the first vessel, FPSO Falcon in June 2002.

The generic FPSO is designed to cope with a wide range of field properties and water depths up to a maximum of 2,100 metres, and has the versatility to relocate between fields during its lifetime. FPSO Serpentina was converted from the tanker, Amazon Eagle. It is able to produce up to 100,000 barrels of oil per day.

FPSO Serpentina had been under a 7 year lease contract until ExxonMobil exercised their purchase option on 1 November 2005. The vessel is still operated by SBM Offshore.

SBM is a major operator of FPSO and FSO systems and has been involved in multiple of varying scopes from the supply of mooring systems to the turnkey supply and operations of FPSOs.

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October 4, 2011; Image: SBM Offshore