SBM Offshore’s SWIR Technology Receives ABS Statement of Maturity

ABS has issued a Statement of Maturity for SBM Offshore’s Seawater Intake Riser (SWIR) technology.

Developed in collaboration with Shell, the SWIR technology features an innovative technique to pump colder seawater from approximately 700 meters below the ocean’s surface up to an FPSO’s topsides to be used for cooling purposes.

Depending on process conditions and site characteristics SWIR can use cold seawater for onboard process cooling and power generation, improving energy efficiency and reducing fuel gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in offshore oil and gas production.

To evaluate the prototype design, ABS applied its New Technology Qualification (NTQ) program, a structured engineering approach to systematically and consistently assess innovative solutions. The Statement of Maturity means that after tests and validation, the technology is qualified to be incorporated into a production unit.

Laurent Le Touzé, SBM Offshore’s Technology & Product Development Director said: “SWIR’s development reflects SBM Offshore’s innovation leadership and its commitment to supporting the emission reduction journey. SWIR is an important step in our low-carbon roadmap: the project began as an in-house concept in 2014 and advanced through