Netherlands-based SBM Offshore, a provider of the design, construction, installation, and operation of offshore floating facilities, has received the green light for its seawater intake riser (SWIR) technology from American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), a classification society.

Following the application of its new technology qualification (NTQ) program to evaluate the prototype design, American Bureau of Shipping has released the statement of maturity for SBM Offshore’s seawater intake riser technology, which was developed in collaboration with Shell.

This statement of maturity means that after tests and validation, the technology is qualified to be incorporated into a production unit. The SWIR technology is described as featuring an innovative technique to pump colder seawater from around 700 meters below the ocean’s surface up to an FPSO’s topsides to be used for cooling purposes.

This seawater intake riser technology can use cold seawater for onboard process cooling and power generation, depending on process conditions and site characteristics, improving energy efficiency and reducing fuel gas consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in offshore oil and gas production.

Laurent Le Touzé, SBM Offshore’s Technology & Product Development Director, commented: “SWIR’s development reflects SBM Offshore’s innovation leadership and its commitment to supporting the emission reduction journey.

“SWIR is an important step in our low-carbon roadmap: the project began as an in-house concept in 2014 and advanced through a multi-year, multi-party effort, including a development partnership with Shell and research input from academic institutes.”

SBM Offshore recently landed an assignment with Petrobras for two FPSOs destined for work in the Sergipe Alagoas Basin off the coast of Brazil.

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