Chinese contractor Yanda Engineering has commenced fabrication of 14 topsides modules for the Orca floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, destined for Shell's first pre-salt project offshore Brazil. The contract, awarded by Japanese floater specialist Modec in August, includes modules for power generation, separation, compression, and utilities. A steel-cutting ceremony was held at Yanda's Jiangsu yard on 22 January.

Project and FPSO Details

The Orca FPSO, formerly named Gato do Mato, will be located in Block BM-S-54 in the Santos basin. Shell took the final investment decision in March, having awarded the front-end engineering and design contract to Modec in April 2024. The vessel is designed to process up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, along with associated gas and water, and will be moored in approximately 2000 metres of water depth. It will feature a newbuild hull engineered for a 25-year design life.

Contractors and Partnerships

The project involves a global supply chain. The FPSO hull construction is split:

• Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry in China is fabricating the rear hull block at its Qidong facility, with final mating and integration at its Dalian yard.
• Sumitomo Heavy Industries in Japan holds the contract for the forward hull block.

Modec also awarded a marine compressed air system contract to Norway's TMC Compressors in November. This project marks the first partnership between Modec and Yanda.

Ownership and Development Timeline

The Gato do Mato consortium comprises Shell (50%, operator), Ecopetrol (30%), and TotalEnergies (20%), with Brazil's PPSA managing the production sharing contract. The development drilling campaign is expected to start in April next year with 10 wells, and production from the greenfield development is planned to begin in 2029. The fabrication and delivery of Yanda's modules were previously reported to span a 12-month contract period, though specific timelines were not confirmed.