BW Offshore has initiated fabrication bid processes for the topsides modules and other key equipment required for the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel planned for Equinor's Bay du Nord project offshore eastern Canada.

Fabrication Tenders for Topsides Modules

The company has launched expressions of interest (EoI) for the construction of topsides modules with a total weight of approximately 14,500 tonnes. The modules, with their specific weights, are: Power generation (2439 tonnes), Inlet separator (2305 tonnes), Stabilisation (2143 tonnes), Compression module 1 (1967 tonnes), Compression module 2 (1488 tonnes), Water injection (1440 tonnes), Chemical injection (1387 tonnes), Workshop/laydown (632 tonnes), Laydown (366 tonnes), and a Future laydown module (313 tonnes). A separate EoI for a 1506-tonne utility module was previously reported. Yards have until 18 February to respond for the chemical injection and three laydown modules, and until 20 February for all other modules.

Additional Equipment Tenders

Separate bidding processes have also commenced for a mooring system, flare tower, and helideck, with a combined weight of about 3300 tonnes. This package includes a mooring system with 15 suction anchors (2325 tonnes) and buoyancy elements (540 tonnes), a 94-metre-tall flare tower (425 tonnes), and an aluminium helideck (15.6 tonnes).

Project Context and Timeline

BW Offshore is conducting front-end engineering and design and procurement activities for the FPSO on behalf of operator Equinor. Contract awards for all the hardware are anticipated in the second half of 2026, contingent on a final investment decision for the project. The FPSO will be stationed in the Flemish Pass basin off Newfoundland & Labrador in approximately 1165 metres of water.

Development Overview

The base-case development concept for Bay du Nord involves a phased subsea development of 16 to 42 wells, which will be connected to a 160,000 barrels per day FPSO. Equinor's partner in the project is BP.