Chinese shipbuilder Dalian Shipbuilding Changxing has completed work to convert an oil tanker into a floating storage and offloading vessel (FSO) for Thai offshore support provider Truth Maritime Services.
The ABS-classed vessel is a 241- by 42-metre (791- by 140-foot) double-hulled Aframax oil tanker originally built by Namura Shipbuilding of Japan in 2005 and named Trident Star. Now named G1FSO, it will be deployed at the PTTEP-operated Platong oil and gas field in the Gulf of Thailand, making it the first FSO project in China to enter the Thai market.
The conversion entailed a significant number of structural modifications, pipe and cable laying, equipment installations, special coating applications, and refurbishment of some of the existing equipment. Nearly seven kilometres of pipes for 26 new systems were added, more than 40 kilometres of cables were laid, and 48 sets of equipment and 34 sections were installed.
The newly installed equipment includes metering skids, boilers, cranes, laboratories, and lifeboats and their mounts. Repairs were meanwhile carried out on the main and auxiliary engine (which will be used as the primary manoeuvring systems for station keeping and not for long-distance transits), the pumps, the heat exchangers, and the deck machinery.
Maintenance was also undertaken on the communication and automation systems, approximately two kilometres (1.2 miles) of pipes, and more than 700 valves.
Outfitting was completed on about 30,000 square metres (320,000 square feet) of hull and deck area, and the accommodation spaces for the 40-strong crew were extensively renovated to ensure compliance with international safety standards.
Because of the extensive scope of the works, the FSO can store over 60,000 barrels of crude. It also does not need to undergo drydocking for routine maintenance for the first 10 years from the completion of its conversion. This will enable the vessel to maximise its stay at the Platong field.
For offloading, there is an installed cargo pump with a minimum discharge rate of 3,000 cubic metres (100,000 cubic feet) per hour.
| G1FSO | |
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Type of vessel: | Floating storage and offloading vessel |
| Classification: | American Bureau of Shipping |
| Flag: | Thailand |
| Owner: | Truth Maritime Services, Thailand |
| Builder: | Dalian Shipbuilding Changxing, China |
| Length overall: | 241 metres (791 feet) |
| Length bp: | 232 metres (761 feet) |
| Beam: | 42 metres (140 feet) |
| Depth: | 21.2 metres (69.6 feet) |
| Capacity: | 60,000 barrels |
| Hydraulic equipment: | Cargo pump |
| Crew: | 40 |
| Operational area: | Gulf of Thailand |