Oriental Energy readies Emem FPSO for Okwok operations
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Indigenous independent producer, Oriental Energy Resources Limited (OERL)is working on the final stages of converting a very large crude carrier (VLCC) into a floating production facility for deployment in operated Okwok oilfield offshore Niger Delta.
The vessel conversion represents major step in the Okwok Field Development Project and holds potential for tie-in production near field development programmes.
According to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the construction of the Emen floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel also represents a strategic milestone in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry, demonstrating growing indigenous technical capability.
The project entails the conversion of Nordic Mistral, a double-hulled crude tanker with 1 million barrels storage capacity, into a fully integrated FPSO with a 15-year operational lifespan.
The EMEM FPSO holds a processing capacity of 40,000 BOPD, with inbuilt modules for produced water treatment, water injection, gas processing, gas lift, and gas injection.
The vessel accommodates up to 100 personnel and employs a 12-point spread mooring system.
The Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Engr Gbenga Komolafe, who inspected the vessel at the Dubai Drydocks World (DDWD) in the United Arab Emirates, said the Emem FPSO would make significant contribution to Nigeria’s production growth quest.
CCE of NUPRC, Engr Gbenga Komolafe (3rd left), in DDW, Dubai, to inspect the Emem FPSO
The Okwok Field is operated by Oriental Okwok Limited in the Petroleum Prospecting Lease 15 (PML 15) area, offshore Eastern Niger Delta. The field originally discovered by defunct Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) in 1967 holds estimated 70 million barrels of recoverable reserves.
The NUPRC stated in a release that Engr Komolafe undertook a four-hour detailed inspection of the vessel, inspecting critical areas including the Oil and Produced Water Treatment Unit, Gas Injection Modules, Seawater Treatment Facilities, Gas Turbine Generators, Electrical House, LACT Unit, Laboratory, Control Room, and Accommodation Quarters.
He said the FPSO’s planned sail to Nigeria aligns with the Project One Million Barrels initiative which seeks to increase the country’s oil production by one million barrels.
“This FPSO is coming to Nigeria at a time we are seeking to increase production. It will help in achieving our project One Million Barrels. From what I have seen, I am very impressed and as the regulator, we will continue to give support to Oriental Energy,” he said.
He advised Oriental Energy to participate in the next licensing round as the company had shown that it had the capacity to take on more projects in Nigeria’s vibrant oil and gas sector.
“We advise that you participate in the next licensing round at least to optimise your capacity. We are convinced that Oriental Energy has the capacity to contribute to our national development,” he added.
Executive Vice Chairman of OERL, Engineer Goni Sheikh, thanked Engr Komolafe for encouraging investments in the oil sector.
“We have engaged with your team, and they have been working around the clock including Saturdays and Sundays to beat the timelines and attain this.
And we must also say that since the start of this project, we have received 100% support from NUPRC. We thank the regulator for the support and oversight and guidance which the regulator gives us. You are truly a business facilitator,” he stated.
