The Shell (LON: SHEL) Penguins FPSO has set off for its UK North Sea destination – but will first stop off at a yard in Norway.
Shell’s first new manned vessel for the UK in 30 years started its journey from China after a handover ceremony at a yard at Qingdao in the eastern Shangdong Province last week.
Pictures have now been shared by the Chinese supply chain of the Shell Penguins FPSO leaving the yard on board the White Marlin heavy transport ship owned by Boskalis.
It had previously been reported that the vessel will head to an “unnamed yard” in Norway for commissioning ahead of final delivery for Shell.
But, praising the sailaway last week, a supply chain manager at Aibel confirmed the vessel is “soon coming to Haugesund”.
On Norway’s west coast, Aibel’s Haugesund yard is a favoured site for Shell, where it recently sent the Peirce FPSO for modifications ahead of redeployment at the namesake field in the UK North Sea.
On Tuesday, China’s Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC) completed construction of the Penguins cylindrical FPSO, which stands at 118 metres tall.
Marine traffic data for the vessel is currently blocked due to its location in China.
Photos show a penguins cylindrical floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) device at its delivery ceremony in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. A 118-meter-tall FPSO made by the Offshore Oil Engineering Co., Ltd. for a British client was successfully delivered. pic.twitter.com/rx73VscQKK
— China Focus (@China__Focus) November 30, 2022
Last year, a data law in China was passed to increase government control over how foreign organisations can collect and export the country’s info.
The move had a direct impact on ship-tracking data, with some providers no longer giving information to foreign companies.
Sitting 150 miles north-east of Shetland, Penguins is a redevelopment of a former tie-back field to the Brent Charlie hub.
It is expected to unlock 80 million barrels of oil, Shell said at the time of investment decision in 2018, which would have otherwise been left stranded as Brent Charlie shut down.
The Shell Penguins FPSO is expected to deliver peak production of 45,000 barrels per day.
© Image: FFluorNEO Energy is a 50% partner on the project after acquiring ExxonMobil’s stake last year.
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