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January 14, 2025. By Abha Rustagi
SBM Offshore is not just an EPC company, but an EPCIO company, meaning that we not only design and build FPSOs, but also operate and maintain them on behalf of International Oil Companies, said Brathaban Karuppaiah – Country General Manager, SBM Offshore India, in an interview with Abha Rustagi, Associate Editor, Energetica India.
Que: What are your thoughts on the current state of India’s offshore energy market, and where do you see the most potential for growth?
Ans: India’s offshore energy market is at a pivotal juncture, balancing traditional energy demands with the growing need for renewable innovations. While oil and gas exploration continue to play a critical role in ensuring energy security, declining yields and rising environmental concerns underscore the need for adaptation and transition.
India’s crude oil production stood at 29.36 MMT in 2023-24, with a provisional output of 14.4 MMT in the current year, 2024-25. The International Energy Agency projects India’s oil and petrol demand to reach 6.6 million barrels per day (mb/d) and 1.0 mb/d by 2030. This rising demand emphasises the necessity of diversifying energy sources, making offshore wind and solar power key components of the country’s energy strategy.
India’s offshore wind energy sector offers significant potential, particularly along the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, with over 70 GW of offshore wind energy capacity identified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The government’s approval of 50 solar parks with a combined capacity of 37.5 GW and its broader renewable energy goals further demonstrate India’s commitment to achieving its ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
By focusing on sustainable energy innovations and addressing infrastructure needs, India’s offshore energy market is poised to play a transformative role in meeting both domestic energy demands and global climate objectives.
Que: Could you provide an overview of SBM Offshore’ s Global Capability Center (GCC) operations in India, including the key functions and services it supports globally?
Ans: SBM Offshore India is a fully owned subsidiary of SBM Offshore and is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. It plays a key role in full range of services for SBM Offshore’s global EPCIO (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Operations) projects – encompassing Engineering, Supply Chain, Project Management, Project Controls, Fleet Operations, and Digital Solutions. Catering to both Greenfield and Brownfield projects of FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) units in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry, our key focus at the Bengaluru office is to enhance our teams’ capabilities. This includes building Front End Engineering Design (FEED) expertise, establishing centralised hubs in Supply Chain, creating a team of Package Managers within Project Management, further developing the Asset Integrity team in Fleet Operations, and driving Power Platform development and support under Digital Development and Innovation. In short, we aim to build niche skills rather than just capacity.
Que: SBM Offshore has a strong global presence, including projects in Guyana. Can you share highlights of SBM’s journey and key projects that have shaped the company?
Ans: SBM Offshore has a rich history dating back to the 1950s, marked by numerous world-first achievements and record-breaking performances. Some highlights include:
• 1959 – Gusto Shipyard constructs the first Single Point Mooring (SPM) facility (CALM Buoy) under a license agreement with Shell.
• 1960 – The design of the first jack-up drilling rig, the “Seashell.”
• 1969 – SBM Inc. is established in Switzerland.
• 1973 – SBM designs the first permanent mooring system for Elf’s Ashtart field off the Tunisian coast.
• 1981 – FPSO II, the first leased floating production system, starts operations in the Philippines.
• 1986 – The first disconnectable turret system is installed on the Jabiru field, Australia.
• 1993 – SBM supplies the internal turret for the first permanently moored tanker in the North Sea for the Alba field, UK.
• 2002 – ExxonMobil adopts the FPSO leasing model; SBM wins its first contract.
• 2006 – The DeepDraft Semisubmersible is installed at a world-record depth of 8,000 ft (2,438 m) in the Gulf of Mexico.
• 2010 – The P-57 FPSO is delivered ahead of schedule and with 65 percent local content in Brazil.
• 2011 – The ASENG FPSO is delivered two months ahead of schedule.
• 2012 – SBM Offshore unveils a new brand.
• 2016 – FPSO Turritella becomes the world’s deepest moored unit in the Gulf of Mexico.
• 2016 – SBM Offshore launches the Fast4Ward® Program.
• 2018 – SBM Offshore moves into the renewable energy sector with the Wind Floater program.
• 2019 – Liza Destiny FPSO is installed offshore Guyana, marking the country’s first oil and gas production.
• 2021 – SBM Offshore launches the emissionZERO® program.
• 2022 – The first oil from the Fast4Ward® FPSO is produced.
• 2023 – FPSO Carbon Capture module is qualified by DNV.
• 2024 – SBM Offshore creates Ekwil J.V. with Technip Energies for Floating Offshore Wind.
SBM Offshore’s history is full of milestones, and we bring over 380 years of cumulative operations experience in the Oil & Gas industry.
Que: How does SBM Offshore’s expertise in deep-sea offshore floating production differentiate the company in delivering high-performance solutions?
Ans: SBM Offshore is not just an EPC company, but an EPCIO company, meaning that we not only design and build FPSOs, but also operate and maintain them on behalf of International Oil Companies (IOCs). Our unique ‘lease and operate’ business model allows us to collect operational data for continuous improvement in engineering, design, and construction. With the help of our digital solutions, we use predictive analytics to optimise the operation and maintenance of our fleets globally, improving uptime. Drive excellence is one of our strategic priorities, and through simplification, standardisation, and continuous improvement, we deliver high-performance solutions. Our ability to work through the entire project lifecycle enables us to provide exceptional value and performance.
Que: What unique value proposition does SBM Offshore bring to India’s offshore energy and EPCI sectors?
Ans: As mentioned, our unique business model offers professionals the opportunity to experience the entire lifecycle of FPSO projects – from conceptual studies, engineering, and design to procurement, construction, installation, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning. This holistic experience enriches technical expertise and enables professionals to confidently contribute to India’s offshore energy market. Additionally, working in a multi-cultural environment on global-scale projects enhances leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills alongside core technical expertise. Technological advances in digital solutions, decarbonisation efforts, AI adoption, and best practices in fleet operation contribute to serving India’s offshore energy and EPCI sectors.
Que: SBM Offshore is investing in studies for offshore hydrogen, ammonia, and lithium production. How do these alternative energy sources fit into your strategy for the Indian market?
Ans: As part of its plan to help create a more diverse and sustainable energy future, we at SBM Offshore are dedicated to developing alternative energy sources. We make investments in research for offshore hydrogen, ammonia, and lithium production because these projects support the global energy transition and can decarbonise industry and provide greener energy solutions. We are aware that in India the increasing need for creative energy solutions to help meet the nation’s growing energy demands and climate goals is one of the major needs for the development of the nation. Our Bengaluru centre also concentrates on advancing technical excellence, innovation, and specific strategic goals. We want to incorporate these cutting-edge energy solutions into India’s energy ecosystem by utilising their offshore technology and working with regional authorities, industry leaders, and stakeholders. SBM Offshore remains hopeful and dedicated to finding ways that its investments in lithium, ammonia, and hydrogen may support India’s clean energy goals and help create a robust and sustainable energy future.
Que: What are SBM Offshore’s expectations for India’s offshore wind sector, and what collaborations or projects are you exploring in this area?
Ans: SBM Offshore is exploring the growing market for Floating Offshore Wind (FOW) and has already made significant strides in this area:
Provence Grand Large Project
•Successfully delivered in 2023, this pilot project is SBM Offshore’s first floating offshore wind farm.
•Located seventeen kilometers off Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, near Marseille, France.
•Features three tension leg floaters supporting 8.4MW wind turbine generators.
Advantages of Floating Offshore Wind
•Enables wind power production in deeper waters, reducing visibility from shore.
•Expands viable areas for wind energy development, potentially accessing regions with higher and steadier wind characteristics.
Commitment to Innovation
•SBM Offshore’s Float4Wind technology was successfully implemented in the Provence Grand Large project.
•SBM Offshore is focused on refining its products and delivering competitive, industrialised solutions to accelerate the global shift towards sustainable energy.
•SBM Offshore has partnered with Technip Energies to accelerate the winds of change.
Ekwil: Powering the winds of change
Born from a collaboration between SBM Offshore and Technip Energies, Ekwil represents an unparalleled commitment and ambition for growth in Floating Offshore Wind power. Combining the industry leading expertise of SBM Offshore and Technip Energies, we offer a diversified and expanding range of solutions that meet the growing needs of energy customers around the world.
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