Semcorp Marine Delivers Shell’s Gulf of Mexico-Bound Vito FPU

Singapore-based Sembcorp Marine has completed its first newbuild Floating Production Unit with the delivery of Vito Regional Production Facility (Vito FPU) to Shell Offshore.

Construction of the Vito FPU platform took place at Semcorp Marine’s Tuas Boulevard Yard, which used its new goliath cranes with 30,000-tonne lifting capacity to install the Vito topsides and living quarters, weighing some 9,200 tonnes, on top of the four-column hull in a single lift.

Vito FPU was delivered to Shell December 27, 2021, and the platform departed Tuas Boulevard Yard for Singapore’s anchorage to prepare for its load-out and sailaway to the Gulf of Mexico in the United States, transported by Boskalis’ Mighty Servant 1 heavy-list semisubmersible.

“The successful construction and delivery of Vito FPU is a key milestone in our newbuilding track record and a testament to Sembcorp Marine’s proven expertise and differentiated capabilities in the construction of turnkey projects for the offshore, marine and energy industries,” said Wong Weng Sun, Sembcorp Marine President & CEO. “We would like to thank Shell for their strong teamwork and steadfast support in overcoming the challenges and constraints brought on by COVID-19. We look forward to continuing this partnership with Shell for the Whale Host Facility (WHF).”

Sembcorp Marine was awarded the Vito FPU contract in 2018 after Shell’s final investment decision to develop the 100,000 barrel-per-day Vito deepwater project in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Shell’s eleventh deepwater project in the area. The Vito FPU will be located approximately 150 miles southeast of New Orleans 1,219 meters (4,000 feet) of water.

Sembcorp Marine is currently undertaking the construction of a second FPU project for Shell, involving the fabrication and integration of the FPU topsides, living quarters and hull, for the Whale development also located in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.