Seatrium Limited, based in Singapore, has successfully delivered the Floating Production Unit (FPU) known as "Whale" for deployment in the Gulf of Mexico. This achievement is in accordance with the contract signed in November 2019 with Shell Offshore Inc.

The Whale FPU consists of a topside module and a four-column semi-submersible floating hull with a remarkable capacity of over 22,000 metric tons. Seatrium's news release highlights that the hull structure was fabricated at the company's advanced steel fabrication facility, which is powered by renewable solar energy. This environmentally friendly approach has resulted in reduced carbon emissions during the construction process.

The Whale production facility is located in the Alaminos Canyon Block 773, adjacent to the Shell-operated Silvertip field, approximately 10 miles from the Shell-operated Perdido platform and around 200 miles southwest of Houston. Whale is designed to include a semi-submersible production host in water depths exceeding 8,600 feet and will be equipped with 15 oil-producing wells, according to Shell.

The development of Whale is a collaboration between Shell Offshore, acting as the operator with a 60 percent interest, and Chevron U.S.A. Inc., which holds a 40 percent interest. The project is expected to reach peak production of approximately 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) and currently boasts an estimated recoverable resource volume of 490 million boe. Whale will be Shell's 12th deepwater host in the Gulf of Mexico and is slated to commence production in 2024.

An exceptional achievement in this project was the integration of the Whale FPU topside and hull in a single lift, marking a significant milestone in terms of productivity and safety for Seatrium. The operation was made possible by the Goliath twin cranes, which have a combined lifting capacity of 30,000 metric tons and a hook height of 328 feet (100 meters). This approach resulted in over two million saved man-hours and a 30 percent reduction in hull and topside integration time. Furthermore, the Whale project achieved a score of 96 percent in international standards for health, safety, and the environment, as well as compliance with the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) 577 standards and U.S. Coast Guard statutory requirements.

In response to the successful delivery of the Whale FPU project, Seatrium's CEO, Chris Ong, expressed the company's commitment to providing innovative and comprehensive solutions for offshore and marine applications. This achievement underscores Seatrium's capabilities and expertise in delivering complex and impactful projects in the offshore sector.

Additionally, Seatrium is leading the way in innovative energy solutions by deploying Southeast Asia's first floating and stacked Energy Storage System (ESS). This system is part of an integrated floating energy solution aimed at overcoming land constraints in Singapore. With a deployment footprint of up to 40 percent less than land-based ESS, this project is a collaborative effort supported by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Univers (formerly Envision Digital International Pte Ltd.). The floating ESS has a maximum storage capacity of 7.5 megawatt hours (MWh) and is equipped with intelligent energy management functionalities, including a Smart Energy Management System supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. This ESS has the capacity to meet the electricity needs of over 600 four-room Housing and Development Board (HDB) households for one day in a single discharge.

The deployment of this floating ESS presents an innovative and sustainable solution for Singapore's energy infrastructure, particularly in addressing intermittent power supplies and aiding remote islands affected by power disruptions. EMA Chief Executive Ngiam Shih Chun praised the commitment of industry partners to developing sustainable energy solutions, and Seatrium's CEO, Chris Ong, expressed the company's dedication to optimizing energy efficiency and reducing its operational footprint through technology and innovation. This project represents a significant advancement in the offshore, marine, and energy industries.

Overall, Seatrium's achievements in delivering the Whale FPU and pioneering innovative energy solutions demonstrate its dedication to advancing sustainable practices in the energy sector.