(https://www.sbmoffshore.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SBM-Offshore-FPSO-Fundamentals-1100x620.png)SBM Offshore's ambition with Fast4Ward®SBM Offshore said that the company ambition is to transform the business by reducing cycle time to energy delivery, de-risking projects and improving quality and safety. Our pioneering Fast4Ward® program provides the industry with a ground-breaking solution for the next generation FPSO.
Fast4Ward® adds value for clients and in particular, improves the economics of deep-water projects, by lowering break-evens. To achieve this, we have leveraged SBM Offshore's experience to standardize the design and the execution of projects, facilitating repeatability and the knock-on benefits. In addition, Fast4Ward® incorporates digital solutions and emerging technologies, allowing for continual advancements of our solutions. The Fast4Ward® unique execution model also improves the performance and optimization of our project team resources.
Standardizing FPSOs provides knock-on savings in the supply chain and construction phases, resulting in a reduction in delivery time – saving up to 12 months on a typical FPSO EPCI schedule. Shorter cycle times enable acceleration of financial gains for operators. Furthermore, standardization results in overall lower capital expenditure and higher quality, safety and sustainability performance.
A standard and versatile designBasic Design Approval has been given by both Bureau Veritas and ABS. The design is optimized for deployment in a wide area from Latin America to West Africa, with the flexibility to be tailored to the specific needs of a project. It consists of a generic new-build hull (the 'MPF' for Multi-Purpose Floater) able to accommodate:
- internal turret, external turret or spread moored configurations.
- ~50,000 tonnes of operating topsides (subject to field specifics) and future tie-backs.
- a catalogue of topsides modules for all FPSO systems with a number of different capacities available. The key to an optimal layout is modularization, which allows maximum interchangeability of the modules depending on each project's needs, without disrupting the overall functionality.
- the large deck space available on the MPF allows us to lower the module height and reduce the complexity of the topsides substantially.
Technical standardsThe design for the Fast4Ward® FPSO is underpinned by SBM Offshore's Group Technical Standards (GTS). Introduced in 2003, they draw on the expertise and lessons learnt from a delivery portfolio of more than 50 floating production systems and almost 350 years of operating experience.