Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO)

Euronav can supply and operate Floating, Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessels through conversion or newbuilding. A Floating, Storage and Offloading vessel is commonly used in oil fields where it is not possible or efficient to lay a pipeline to the shore. The production platform transfers the oil to the FSO where it is stored until a tanker arrives and connects to the FSO to offload it.

Euronav is able to bring added value to its offshore projects through:

- building supervision or construction;
- engineering;
- in-house management.

The double hull ultra large Crude Carriers (ULCC) TI Asia and TI Africa underwent an extensive conversion to FSO at Drydocks World-Dubai. They have the capacity to process and store approximately 2,8 million barrels of crude oil each. The FSOs process crude oil extracted from a reservoir below the sea floor through a single point mooring system. Oil and water fluids are transferred through an underwater pipeline to the FSO where the oil and water are heated, accelerating the separation of the two organic compounds. Once separated, oil is transferred to separate storgae cargo tanks and then offloaded to export vessels. Water is treated and returned to the underwater source reservoir.

Characteristics of the FSO Asia and FSO Africa
Type	V-Plus
Size	442,893 dwt
Built	2002
Conversion year	2009-2010
Total contract duration FSO Asia	8 years
Total contract duration FSO Africa	3 years
Storage capacity	2,800,000 barrels
Overall length of the vessels	380 m
Breadth	68 m
Depth	34 m
Draught	24.5 m