Floating Production Storage and Offloading Unit

Ship-shaped floating facility receiving hydrocarbons from subsea wells via flexible risers, processing them on board (separating oil/gas/water, treating produced water, stabilising crude), storing the stabilised crude in cargo tanks, and offloading to shuttle tankers. FPSOs are widely used in deepwater fields where pipeline-to-shore is uneconomic. Design and class follow API RP 2FPS and the IMO MODU Code; turret moorings allow weathervaning, while spread moorings are used in benign-environment fields. Hull life is typically 25 years on station with periodic in-service surveys instead of drydocking.