…FPSO must handle huge volumes of gas and needs an 18-line mooring system
TotalEnergies has revealed comprehensive technical details for its ambitious Venus project offshore Namibia, showcasing the cutting-edge engineering behind its colossal floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel and a sprawling subsea network designed to operate in one of the world’s most challenging deepwater environments. Located in the Orange Basin at a staggering depth of 3,000 meters, the project will deploy up to 40 subsea wells connected to an FPSO capable of processing peak oil output of 160,000 barrels per day (bpd), with a critical emphasis on handling vast volumes of associated gas and anchoring stability in extreme conditions.
At the heart of the Venus development is the FPSO, a behemoth engineered to tackle the dual challenges of ultra-deepwater operations and high-pressure gas management. The vessel’s design includes advanced gas-handling systems to manage the substantial volumes of natural gas produced alongside oil, a technical feat given the reservoir’s complex geology. TotalEnergies emphasized that the FPSO’s gas-processing capacity is pivotal to minimizing flaring and aligning with global emissions reduction targets, though specific gas volume figures remain undisclosed.
The FPSO’s mooring system has also drawn attention for its unprecedented scale. To secure the vessel in waters three kilometers deep, TotalEnergies will deploy an 18-line mooring system , a critical component to withstand harsh Atlantic Ocean currents and ensure operational safety. This configuration, rarely seen in similar projects, underscores the technical complexities of operating in Namibia’s frontier basin, where no prior infrastructure exists.
The subsea system will comprise up to 40 production and injection wells tied back to the FPSO through a web of umbilicals, flowlines, and risers. These components must endure extreme pressures and temperatures while maintaining fluid flow across vast distances. TotalEnergies highlighted the use of high-specification materials and real-time monitoring technologies to mitigate risks of leaks or equipment failure, ensuring reliability in this remote location.
The Venus project’s 3,000-meter depth places it among the deepest offshore developments globally, requiring innovations in drilling and subsea engineering. TotalEnergies has partnered with industry leaders to develop remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater systems capable of performing maintenance at these depths, where human intervention is impossible.
“The Venus FPSO and subsea architecture represent a leap forward in deepwater technology,” said a TotalEnergies project executive. “The 18-line mooring system alone is a response to the unique metocean conditions here, ensuring stability over the asset’s lifespan.”
The Venus discovery, announced in 2022, has positioned Namibia as a hotspot in global oil exploration. The project’s success could transform the nation’s economy, with the government estimating potential oil revenues of $5.6 billion annually by 2040. However, environmental groups have raised concerns over the ecological risks of deepwater drilling in the Orange Basin, home to diverse marine ecosystems.
TotalEnergies has pledged to adhere to stringent environmental safeguards, including methane leak detection systems and partnerships with local research institutions to monitor marine biodiversity.
Final investment decisions for Venus are expected by late 2025, with first oil targeted before 2030. The project’s technical revelations underscore TotalEnergies’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of offshore engineering while balancing operational demands with environmental stewardship. As global energy giants increasingly pivot to deepwater reserves, Venus sets a benchmark for innovation in an era of energy transition.