FPSO contractor adopts submerged turbine technology

Malaysia-based Yinson Production, an operator of floating production storage offloading (FPSO) units, is to deploy Framo’s Submerged Turbines to regenerate energy from waste cooling water at its offshore installations.

The company, which aims to be carbon-neutral by 2030 and net-zero by 2050, said the new technology would help to reduce its carbon footprint, cut carbon taxes, and enable increased gas exports.

The Submerged Turbine is based on the Framo SE pump design, a technology that is known for its reliability, Yinson said. The new technology uses the force of waste water, discharged following the cooling of systems on board, to drive turbines and generate electricity. This, in turn, cuts gas consumption. It is suitable for both new projects and retrofits.

The company’s chief technology officer, Lars Gunnar Vogt, commented: “This is a common-sense solution that has so many benefits for our company. We are determined to do everything possible to support a low-carbon, climate-resilient environment. By utilising this waste cooling water for energy production, we are making a positive contribution towards this ambition.”

Sais Sigve Gjerstad, Framo’s director Offshore Pumping Systems, said: “Although the Submerged Turbine was launched only recently, the response from offshore industry stakeholders has been very strong. We are delighted that Yinson Production has stepped up to place the initial order, and we expect others to follow very quickly. The technology provides an ingeniously simple way for saving money while improving the sustainability of their operations.”

Yinson operates a fleet of nine FPSOs in locations including Angola, Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The company has a further four units on order.