FPSOcean Acquires Tankers for Conversion

Oslo-based FPSOcean acquired shuttle tanker Nordic Laurita and Aframax tanker Semakau Spirit for conversion into deepwater, dynamically positioned floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSO). FPSOcean is seeking to develop a fleet of four to six deepwater FPSOs over a period of the next five to six years.

The 68,139-dwt Nordic Laurita, which was built in 1981, will be renamed the DeeP Producer 1. The vessel is undergoing its conversion into an FPSO at Dubai Drydocks in the United Arab Emirates. It is scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2008 and for first oil by the second quarter of 2008. When completed, DeeP Producer 1 will be capable of producing 60,000 b/d of oil with a storage capacity of 480,000 barrels. The 1988-built Semakau Spirit will be renamed DeeP Producer 2, and is likely to start its conversion at Dubai Drydocks during first half of 2008.