MODEC opts to equip Guyana-bound FPSO with Norwegian firm’s compressor system

Norway’s compressed air systems supplier TMC Compressors has won a deal with Japan’s MODEC to deliver a large-capacity marine compressed air system on board a floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel destined to work at ExxonMobil’s fifth oil development in the Stabroek block offshore Guyana.

Thanks to this contract, TMC Compressors will provide a large-capacity marine compressed air system, including compressors for control and service air, to MODEC’s FPSO Errea Wittu, which will be situated on ExxonMobil’s $12.7 billion Uaru project, sanctioned in April 2023. The start-up of the project is targeted in 2026. 

Hans Petter Tanum, TMC’s Director of Sales and Business Development, commented: “Our compressors have been developed solely for marine and offshore use. They are not land-based compressors that have been marinized. We believe this enables the most robust and reliable equipment, which is essential when you are operating it on an FSPO offshore.”

According to the Norwegian player, which secured a similar deal with Yinson Production for an Angola-based FPSO in January 2024, the equipment for the work on MODEC’s FPSO will be manufactured and assembled in Europe.

Offshore Frontier Solutions, a MODEC Group company, is responsible for the engineering, procurement, and construction work for the FPSO Errea Wittu based on the firm’s M350 newbuild hull. A ceremony to mark the beginning of construction for the FPSO was held on February 2, 2024.

With a topside designed to produce approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day, the vessel will have an associated gas treatment capacity of 540 million cubic feet per day, a water injection capacity of 350,000 barrels per day, and produced water capacity of 300,000 barrels per day.

MODEC has already awarded several contracts for the FPSO Errea Wittu. While Jumbo Offshore Installation Contractors is handling the pre-installation of the mooring spread of the vessel, the FPSO mooring system, consisting of a total of 19 mooring legs, will be supplied by SOFEC, a MODEC Group company.

In addition, ABB has been hired to deliver a complete electrical system and associated digital solutions for the FPSO. The Swiss player will provide a topside and hull electrical system through a pre-built ABB eHouse modular substation. The company will also supply power management solutions to optimize energy efficiency and asset availability of all supplied electrical equipment.