Angola pioneers with new carbon capture FPSO

Angola’s deep offshore will be a world pioneer when it takes charge of the world’s first ship-based ‘marine factory’ for CO2 capture

The world’s first floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit equipped with offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology was launched by Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry recently after being built in Shanghai.

Name Agogo FPSO, the vessel will now make its way to West Africa for work offshore Angola.

“This vessel stands as one of the most environmentally friendly FPSOs globally,” said Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry in a statement to mark the launch.

Transformed from a 320,000-dwt ultra-large crude oil carrier, this ‘offshore gigafactory’ underwent extensive modifications with in Shanghai, including the majority of module lifting operations and all integration tasks.

Upon delivery, Agogo FPSO is set to operate in Angola’s Block 15/06 West Hub area, situated around 180 km offshore at depths reaching 1,650 metres.

The block is operated by Azule Energy, the group that combines both bp and Eni in Angola.

Once operational, it will have a daily oil production capacity of 120,000 barrels and boast an oil storage capacity of 1.6 million barrels.

The Agogo will work for Azule Energy under a 15-year firm charter with the option to extend for another five years, and a total contract value of up to approximately US$5.3bn.

Cosco Shipping called it “the “world’s greenest FPSO” noting that during its time docked in Shanghai, the vessel demonstrated a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

It achieved this by capturing CO2 from the exhaust of onboard gas turbines, a process estimated to decrease carbon emission by approximately 27%.

“This milestone marks a pivotal step towards realising the zero-carbon FPSO vision,” the Chinese company noted.

Agogo also incorporates a suite of pioneering emission-reduction technologies including electrification, automation, digitalisation, combined cycle power systems, seawater turbine generators, steam generators, hydrocarbon cargo tank inerting systems, and an integrated closed flare system.

Collectively, Cosco Shipping said these advancements contribute to a “substantial reduction” in overall carbon emissions while enhancing operational efficiency.

With these innovations, Agogo is projected to cut CO2 emissions by roughly 230,000 tons annually, it added.

It said the project entailed over 15,000 tons of upper module lifting and more than 100,000 meters of cable installation, with all renovation tasks completed a month ahead of schedule, “setting a new global benchmark for the fastest turnaround in FPSO retrofitting.”

CCS remains in its early stages within both the maritime industry and FPSO sector.

“Agogo FPSO, as the world’s pioneering FPSO integrated with carbon capture technology, carries substantial industrial weight. It serves as a vital technical validation and demonstration for decarbonising offshore oil and gas production.” Cosco Shipping noted.

As well as showcasing the technology in Angola, the company said the FPSO underscores its own commitments to implementing projects centred around “digital intelligence” and “green, low-carbon” principles.

World’s first ship-based ‘marine factory for CO₂ capture

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