Preparing the Fluminense FPSO for Safe Decommissioning and International Transit

Abstract The decommissioning and recycling of aging offshore units, such as Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, present a complex and multifaceted challenge. The Fluminense, an FPSO unit that served the Bijupirá and Salema (BJSA) fields for a couple of decades, reached the end of its operational life. Preparing this vessel for its final journey to a recycling yard required meticulous planning and execution to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. This paper explores the comprehensive preparations that were undertaken to ready the Fluminense for towing. It covers the isolation, cleaning, and decommissioning of topside systems, maintaining plant integrity while the unit operated without production, and the modifications needed to ensure the vessel's structural integrity during international transit. Additionally, the logistics of sea-fastening equipment, structures, and materials, as well as the final unmanning of the unit, are thoroughly examined. Ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations was paramount. The Fluminense underwent rigorous inspections and certifications to meet the standards set by the flag state and classification societies. This introduction sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the planning, challenges, and solutions encountered during these preparatory stages, highlighting the critical importance of safety, regulatory adherence, and efficiency in the successful decommissioning, and towing of the FPSO.