Norwegian offshore vessel owner DOF has secured a contract from TotalEnergies for the replacement of the FSO Unity, a critical crude oil storage vessel serving multiple Nigerian offshore fields, according to Splash247. The contract is valued in the $50m-$100m range, classified as "large" by DOF, and includes subsea construction, mooring, disconnection of the existing FSO, and connection of a replacement unit.
Contract Scope and Timeline
The scope of work encompasses engineering, transportation and installation of mooring systems, together with associated subsea construction activities. Four yet-unnamed vessels will be deployed on the project, totalling approximately 330 vessel-days. Offshore execution is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027 and the first quarter of 2028, Splash247 reported. Project management and engineering activities will commence immediately from DOF’s offices in Aberdeen, Scotland, and Bergen, Norway.
Mons S. Aase, CEO of DOF, said: "The contract represents a significant addition to DOF’s backlog and further strengthens our long-standing relationship with TotalEnergies."
FSO Unity Specifications and Crude Oil Storage
The FSO Unity is a floating storage and offloading unit with a capacity to store 2.2 million barrels of crude oil and an overall length of 300 metres, according to the source. It has export-quality crude oil storage capacity of 2.4 million barrels and contains equipment necessary for dehydration, storage, and transhipment of crude oil. The vessel receives crude at a rate of 230,000 barrels per day from the Amenam-Kpono field as well as the Alfia, Ime, Edikan, Ofon, and Odudu Fields offshore Nigeria.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Crude oil storage capacity | 2.2 million barrels (standard) / 2.4 million barrels (export-quality) |
| Length overall | 300 metres |
| Crude receipt rate | 230,000 barrels per day |
| Source fields (Nigeria offshore) | Amenam-Kpono, Alfia, Ime, Edikan, Ofon, Odudu |
Implications for Nigerian Crude Supply
The FSO Unity plays a crucial role in the crude oil storage and export infrastructure for Nigeria's offshore production. The replacement contract ensures continuity of storage capacity, which is vital for maintaining crude supply flows from the OML 58 (including Amenam-Kpono) and other fields. Disruption to FSO operations could have impacted crude loading schedules, but the planned replacement window in late 2027 to early 2028 suggests TotalEnergies is proactively managing asset integrity.
Outlook and Implications for Commodity Markets
For commodity traders and analysts tracking West African crude supply, the FSO Unity replacement timeline is a long-term factor. The $50m-$100m investment by TotalEnergies underscores the importance of reliable offshore infrastructure for crude storage. With crude oil production from the affected fields, the FSO's capacity of over 2 million barrels provides significant buffer for export logistics, Splash247 noted. The involvement of DOF, a major offshore contractor, and deployment of four vessels highlight the scale of operations required. While specific financial terms were not disclosed, the project's classification as "large" indicates substantial capital allocation, reinforcing TotalEnergies' commitment to its Nigerian operations. The contract further solidifies the relationship between DOF and TotalEnergies, potentially leading to future work in the Atlantic region.
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