Technip, SHI develop a joint design of semisubmersible production platform

HOUSTON -- Technip USA, Inc., and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), Ltd. have entered into an agreement to develop a joint design of a low motion semisubmersible production platform. The purpose is to establish a design and delivery model that leverages Technip’s proven engineering expertise as well as SHI’s extensive experience in semi-submersible FPS construction. It also aims at defining a global configuration in full compliance with clients’ specific project design basis. SHI will complete the detail design and fabrication package in alignment with its own yard’s efficiencies.

The hull form to be developed is based on Technip’s patented Heave and VIM Suppressed (HVS) semisubmersible. It has best-in-class overall motion performance for the vital support of both top tension and steel catenary risers. SHI has fabricated several world-class production semi-submersibles including Jack St. Malo for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Ichthys for offshore Australia.

The resulting joint design effort will lead to compressed design and delivery of world-class production systems, a feature very much in tune with operators’ demands today for shorter schedules. The relationship also covers joint design and delivery of topsides for the semisubmersible systems.

Jim O’Sullivan, chief technology officer offshore, Technip USA, Inc., commented, “While our expertise covers a full range of offshore facilities, we are delighted to jointly develop this semisubmersible design for global FPS markets, in close collaboration with our partner Samsung Heavy Industries, building upon our long-term relationship on various projects such as past FPSO fabrications and the current Prelude FLNG facility.”