Vito Regional Production Facility (Vito RPF) – the first Floating Production Unit (“FPU”) newbuild delivery by Sembcorp Marine – is a further testament to the Group’s proven capabilities in the turnkey construction of offshore projects

The integration of Vito’s RPF topside structure with its hull was performed safely and efficiently in a single lift – enabled by Tuas Boulevard Yard’s game-changing 30,000-tonne lifting capacity goliath cranes

Sembcorp Marine Completes First Floating Production Unit Newbuild – the Vito Regional Production Facility
Caption: Vito FPU ready for sailaway to the US Gulf of Mexico - Photo: Shell

Sembcorp Marine Ltd has successfully completed the Vito Regional Production Facility (Vito RPF) for Shell Offshore Inc. (Shell).

With the Vito RPF, the Group’s first floating production unit, Sembcorp Marine marks another major milestone in its newbuilding track record. The successful delivery further demonstrates the Group’s Tuas Boulevard Yard value proposition as a one-stop production facility capable of fabricating, assembling and installing larger and heavier integrated structures which help fulfil business objectives of safety, quality, time and cost. In 2019, the Group built and delivered a new-generation LNG/MGO dual-fuel semi-submersible crane vessel, the world’s biggest and strongest that can lift 20,000 tonnes.

The integration of Vito’s topside structure with its hull was executed safely and efficiently by a pair of state-of-the-art goliath cranes with 30,000-tonne combined lifting capacity and 100-metre hook height in Tuas Boulevard Yard. The yard’s ability to perform this type of mega-block lifting enabled the Vito topsides and living quarters to be fabricated and assembled at ground level to minimise work-at-height risks, before integration with the four-column FPU hull in a single lift.

Caption: Integration of Vito topsides with the FPU hull - Image courtesy of SCM

The landmark project was executed in compliance with high quality, HSE (health, safety and environment) and sustainability standards, as well as stringent inspection processes by Shell, the Certified Verification Authority and the US Coast Guard.

The Vito FPU was successfully delivered to Shell on 27 December 2021 and the platform departed Tuas Boulevard Yard for Singapore’s anchorage to prepare for loadout and its sailaway to the Gulf of Mexico in the United States.

Mr Wong Weng Sun, Sembcorp Marine President & CEO, said: “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. 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 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 located in the United States Gulf of Mexico.