Celebrating the BW Opal: A milestone in innovation and sustainability
On Saturday, 15 February, BW Offshore celebrated the naming ceremony of BW Opal, one of the most advanced FPSO units in the industry. The event took place at Seatrium yard in Singapore, bringing together over 125 guests, including representatives from Santos, BW Group, and the Norwegian Embassy, as well as other key stakeholders, project partners, and members of the BW Offshore team.
This momentous event marks a significant milestone in offshore energy production with BW Offshore’s innovative design and sustainability efforts.
A landmark project for BW Offshore and industry collaboration
The project has been a remarkable journey since its inception in 2020. With the first gas production expected in 2025, the BW Opal will operate under a Lease and Operate contract worth USD 4.6 billion, with a 15-year firm period and 10 years of options.
The BW Opal FPSO stands as one of the largest and most technically advanced units ever built, with a hull length of 358 meters and a width of 64 meters. It will have a gas handling capacity of 850 million standard cubic feet per day and a design capacity of 11,000 barrels per day of stabilised condensate. The unit will be turret moored, with a hull built using BW Offshore's innovative RapidFramework® design engineered to support advanced topsides, which weigh in at a staggering 45,000 tons.
With the naming of our new flagship BW Opal, we have reached a milestone we have been looking forward to for almost four years. BW Opal is a demonstration of the competence we have as an organisation, but it is also a testimony to the resilience of the project team who executed this project in challenging years—navigating COVID, inflation, and global supply chain disruptions. A big thank you to everyone involved.
Marco Beenen, CEO BW Offshore
Technological innovation and sustainability at the core
BW Offshore's commitment to sustainability is evident in BW Opal's design. With cutting-edge energy-efficient technologies, the FPSO will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% compared to traditional systems. This translates to a reduction of up to 2.3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over the life of the asset. Additionally, a state-of-the-art combined-cycle gas turbine system with waste heat recovery will lower energy consumption by up to 66% compared to industry standards, helping to maximise both economic and environmental performance.
A collaborative effort across the globe
The successful delivery of BW Opal is a testament to the dedication and expertise of teams at BW Offshore, alongside the support of our contractors and partners worldwide. From the first steel cut to the integration and commissioning phases now underway in Singapore, this project has been a global effort effort to deliver a state-of-the-art FPSO.
The final phase, which began with the hull’s arrival in Singapore in November 2023, has included several major milestones, culminating in the final module lift in May 2024. Ongoing integration and commissioning work ensures that the unit will meet the highest safety, efficiency, and reliability standards as the unit gets ready to commence production.
Overcoming challenges through teamwork
Reflecting on the project’s journey, Mona Rajoo, Chief Commercial Officer at BW Offshore, highlighted the resilience and adaptability of the team in the face of unprecedented challenges:
Our long-standing relationships with subcontractors carried us through the Supply Chain challenges we faced. The silver lining throughout that daunting period was how the BW Opal team—and BW Offshore as a whole—grew more resilient each day. We embraced a winning team culture, learning to share ideas, consider new solutions, and solve problems together. As we continue this journey, we will maintain the trusting, safe, and collaborative environment we have built, ensuring that our pursuit of goals is not just a mission but a collective adventure that enhances individual and team potential.
Mona Rajoo, Chief Commercial Officer
Looking ahead
The BW Opal represents a forward-looking vision for offshore oil and gas production, combining state-of-the-art technology, sustainability, and collaboration to create a solution that will serve the Barossa gas field for decades to come. With the FPSO scheduled to commence production in 2025, the future is bright for BW Offshore and its partners.