Key Factors in Choosing a FPSO Vessel for Redeployment

• 35% of the units will never be redeployed, older and less capable
• 30% are good candidates for redeployment, built to higher spec within design life
• 35% are potential candidates for marginal field developments
  
  
  

Figure 1. Available FPS Units by Years Available, Capacity & Storage

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Evaluating FPSO redeployment opportunities requires a careful balance of technical, regulatory, and commercial considerations. Vessel suitability hinges on factors such as design life, environmental conditions, processing capabilities, and reservoir-specific needs like water or gas injection.

Regulatory requirements—including local content, age limits, and hull compliance—vary by region and must be addressed early. Commercially, deal structure can be influenced by the FPSO owner’s role and the unit’s book value, impacting pricing and contract terms.

HIGHLIGHTED REDEPLOYMENTS

LLOG Salamanca – After ceasing production in 2015, the Independence Hub semi-submersible platform was successfully redeployed by LLOG in 2022 to develop the Leon and Castille fields in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

First oil was achieved in September 2025, marking a milestone as the first refurbished production unit in the Gulf of America to return to service. The project’s construction and outfitting were completed entirely in Texas and Louisiana, showcasing a domestically executed redevelopment that avoided overseas fabrication and accelerated delivery.


BW Adolo – Following its early release by Murphy in 2013 due to low production volumes, the Azurite FPSO was redeployed from Congo to Gabon. In 2018, it began producing from the Dussafu field for BW Energy.

This redeployment stands out as a success story, with the operator strategically designing the development around the FPSO’s existing capabilities—maximizing efficiency and minimizing lead time.


Petrojarl I – FPSO Petrojarl I was the industry’s first purpose-built harsh environment FPSO, achieving first oil in 1986. Originally operated by Altera Infrastructure (formerly Teekay Offshore), it has been deployed across 11 offshore fields over nearly four decades, showcasing exceptional flexibility and resilience.

Most recently, Petrojarl I was used on the Atlanta field in Brazil’s Santos Basin, operated by Brava Energia (formerly 3R Petroleum), before being replaced by the FPSO Atlanta in 2024. In 2025, the vessel was acquired by Amplus Energy, marking a new chapter focused on redeployment opportunities in regions such as Vietnam, Suriname, Brazil, and West Africa.

WHY THE SUCCESS

These redeployments were successful because each project strategically aligned the vessel’s capabilities with field requirements, minimized refurbishment costs through well-preserved assets, and leveraged flexible designs and domestic execution to accelerate timelines and reduce risk. Operators also planned developments around the redeployed units, ensuring technical compatibility and commercial viability from the outset.

At Energy Maritime Associates (EMA), our screening studies for redeployment guide operators through these complexities, helping identify viable units aligned with project goals.

HOW MARKET INTELLIGENCE SUPPORTS FPSO REDEPLOYMENT SUCCESS

Specialized floating production redeployment studies empower operators—from global majors to agile independents—with actionable intelligence to support front-end loading (FEL) teams.

By identifying available or soon-to-be-available units, evaluating technical compatibility, and aligning with field-specific requirements, EMA streamlines vessel selection and project planning through redeployment studies. Our reports also include cost and schedule assessments, along with tailored contracting and procurement strategies—enabling faster execution, reduced CAPEX, and optimized asset utilization in today’s dynamic offshore market.

ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE FOR CONFIDENT OFFSHORE DECISIONS

EMA supports successful FPSO redeployment by equipping operators with actionable intelligence and strategic guidance throughout the planning and execution process. From identifying suitable vessels and assessing technical compatibility to benchmarking costs and outlining tailored contracting strategies, we help front-end loading (FEL) teams navigate complexity, reduce risk, and align redeployment opportunities with project goals.

For broader offshore insight, EMA’s Market Intelligence links redeployment opportunities to the wider floating production landscape—delivering the data and analysis operators need to stay one step ahead. To make confident offshore decisions, explore our Market Intelligence solutions, including the Flowline® platform and Floating Production Report Series, trusted by more than 200 companies worldwide.

Next Report Release: FPS Outlook Report 2026-2030 - Available from 30th October 2025

Please contact us to schedule a meeting to discuss how we can answer your questions about the floating production sector.

Eric Sherman at eric.sherman@energymaritimeassociates.com