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4.2 Floating production storage and offloading

A ship-shaped offshore unit may be used as a floating
storage unit (FSU), an FSO unit, an FPSO, or even include drilling
capabilities in some cases. Figure 4.3 shows a computer graphic of
an FPSO installation with a shuttle tanker offloading system.

Figure 4.3 - FPSO installation with a shuttle tanker
offloading system.
An FPSO system stores produced oil or gas in tanks located
in the hull of the vessel, and flow lines connected to risers link the
subsea development wells to the FPSO system after the
development wells have been drilled by other types of offshore
units, such as semisubmersibles. The oil is periodically offloaded
to shuttle tankers.
FPSO systems may also be used as the primary production
facilities to develop marginal oil fields or fields in remote deep-
water areas without the need of a pipeline infrastructure.
Ship-shaped offshore units have various benefits when
compared to other types of floating structures in terms of ample
work area, deck load, high storage capability, structural strength,
shorter lead time, building/capital cost, and suitability for
conversion and reusability. However, similar to other types of
floating platforms, their displaced volume below the water line is
comparatively large, and the response and failures of the structures
under harsh environmental conditions associated with waves,
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