Out of Africa: How Five-field Greater Plutonio has Pumped a Production Milestone Offshore Angola
Thursday 15 December 2016
During a decade of operations, the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel Greater Plutonio has made a significant contribution to Angola’s oil production. As the BP Angola team marks a production milestone of 500 million barrels, find out more about the giant facility.
It’s been 10 years since the massive hull of Greater Plutonio was eased carefully into position above the oil and gas reservoirs of Block 18 offshore Angola, leading to BP’s first operated production from the southern African nation. In this anniversary year, the vessel has another occasion to celebrate – 500 million barrels of oil have now flowed from these deepwater wells, through the FPSO’s processing plant and onwards for export to refineries across the world.
While the production milestone is reason to reflect on achievements of the past, the Greater Plutonio team also has an eye on the future. 2016 has seen the start of a comprehensive refurbishment programme to prepare the facility for the next ten years, at least, of operations.
“With our best year of production efficiency yet, we are now focused on regenerating the topsides and general fabric of the vessel,” says John Wallace, Greater Plutonio offshore installation manager (OIM). “The salty maritime environment is always extremely punishing to any metal structure, especially in the heat and humidity of the tropics. Heavy corrosion is a constant challenge here, however rigorous the maintenance regime.”
A team of 24 is dedicated to the renovation programme that includes renewing the vessel’s exterior surfaces, as well as making improvements to crew accommodation. “The target is to bring Greater Plutonio back to top condition for its next 10 years of life – and to look ahead even further,” adds Wallace.