Johan Castberg FPSO Finally Sets Off to Norway

February 17, 2022 | Oil & Gas | Energy Facts Staff Writer | 3min

Singapore’s shipbuilder Sembcorp Marine has completed the Johan Castberg FPSO hull for Equinor’s Barents Sea project and the vessel is now on its way to Norway.

As reported in January 2022, the Johan Castberg FPSO left the dock at Sembcorp Marine in Singapore in preparation for its journey to Norway. The ship is 313 metres long and 55 metres wide – roughly the size of three football fields.

A spokesperson for Equinor previously told Offshore Energy that the vessel’s journey from Singapore to Norway will last about 50 days.

Sembcorp Marine announced the completion of the Johan Castberg FPSO vessel and its delivery to Equinor on Thursday. The FPSO has now set off to Norway where it will be completed. Sembcorp Marine’s scope of work for the Johan Castberg FPSO vessel comprised the construction of the hull and living quarters.

The FPSO is being transported on board the semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel Boka Vanguard from Boskalis.

According to Sembcorp Marine, Johan Castberg is designed to FPSO hull main specifications, including Norsoks and DNV Class Rules, with an improved design concept and engineering logic embracing work environment and technical safety requirements, winterisation and other ocean data prerequisites. Johan Castberg, Sembcorp Marine’s first EPC newbuild FPSO, also met the stringent requirements of the Norwegian and the Petroleum Safety Authority regulatory requirements, the shipbuilder said.

Johan Castberg Vessel

Johan Castberg FPSO

Johan Castberg FPSO departs Tuas Boulevard Yard; Courtesy of Sembcorp Marine

To remind, during construction, the project experienced delays due to issues with the quality of welding and further delays and cost overruns due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A floating production storage and offloading unit is a floating vessel used by the offshore oil and gas industry for the production and processing of hydrocarbons, and for the storage of oil. (source: Wiki)

Upon final completion in Norway, the FPSO is scheduled for deployment at the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea, about 240km from Hammerfest, Norway. The FPSO hull is built to be self-contained for harsh-environment operation, with living quarters accommodating up to 140 personnel on board.