BARBOX: A Technical and Economical Viable Alternative Concept for FPSO System

Abstract

Brown & Root's BARBOX concept is an alternative, purpose-built, deep-draft monohull system for floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO). This FPSO system concept has been designed for worldwide applications including West Africa, the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico environments. The BARBOX's stiffened flat plate construction gives it a low capital investment cost compared to systems with minimum water plane hull types (e.g.. semi-submersible, SPAR, TLP) and ship-shaped FPSO. The BARBOX's dynamic motion characteristics are similar or better than those of comparable ship-shaped FPSO configurations. This paper also considers construction of the BARBOX hull in the Gulf of Mexico region. A recent Brown & Root study indicated that the Gulf coast fabrication yards were technically capable to fabricate the BARBOX hull and they could be cost competitive against worldwide shipyards. P. 249