Project Overview

The FPSO Saxi Batuque is a floating production, storage, & offloading vessel involved in the Kizomba C Project, located off the coast of Angola in Block 15. It is a converted oil tanker owned by Sonasing, a Joint Venture between SBM Offshore & Sonangol. The FPSO Saxi Batuque has a length of 343 meters & Beam of 56 meters. 

Adding to the nation's energy sector, this project contributes to offshore oil and gas development in Angola. The FPSO design plays an essential role in the extraction and management of oil from the Saxi and Batuque fields, alongside the Mondo field.

Production & Capacity

This FPSO vessel can process up to 100,000 barrels of oil daily with a storage capacity of 1.6 million barrels. The Kizomba C Project is expected to reach 200,000 barrels per day at peak, alongside Block 15's total of around 700,000 barrels per day. Its production began in August 2008.

The infrastructure includes two twin FPSO vessels (Mondo and SAXI BATUQUE) and a network of 36 subsea wells, highlighting the scale and complexity of the operation.

Project Location

The FPSO Saxi Batuque is located 145 km off the coast of Angola in Block 15. It is nearly 145 kilometers (90 miles) off the coast in the Atlantic Ocean. It functions at a water depth of approximately 800 meters. 

Block 15 is located west of Luanda, Angola's capital, and is part of the Lower Congo Basin, which has significant hydrocarbon reserves. As part of the Kizomba C Project, the SAXI BATUQUE FPSO serves both the Saxi and Batuque fields.

Project Background

The FPSO Saxi Batuque is a 310,000 deadweight ton (dwt) Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) vessel initially named as Litiopa. It was originally built in 1977. It was converted into an external turret moored FPSO by Keppel Shipyard in 2006. Completed in 2008, the vessel was named on 10 March 2008, in a ceremony led by Angola’s Minister of Planning.

Its finances are managed through a lease & operate model by SBM Offshore, a global leader in floating production systems. The VLCC plays a crucial role in converting & storing oil, adding to Angola’s position as a key player in global oil production.

In January 2006, the SBM Offshore signed a deal with Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited to advance with the development of the two Kizomba C FPSOs. In the agreement, Esso agreed to establish definitive lease and operation contracts with Sonangol/SBM joint venture companies, Sonasing & OPS. 

FPSO Saxi Batuque Ownership

In June 2024, SBM Offshore gained complete ownership of the lease & operating unit for FPSO Saxi Batuque & FPSO Mondo. Additionally, it got 80% ownership of FPSO  N’Goma from Sonangol for approximately USD 40 million. 

Project Cost & Financing Details

The Block 15 development comprises four phases & has a total investment of USD 10 billion. It includes Xikomba (2003), Kizomba A (2004), Kizomba B (2005), and the Kizomba C project. Here’s a detailed breakdown of investments made in each phase:

• Kizomba A:  Total project investment was approximately USD 3.2 billion, with the FPSO costing over USD 800 million, constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries.

• Kizomba B:  Total project investment was around USD 3 billion, with the FPSO costing USD 750 million, also leveraging a standardized design to reduce costs.

• Kizomba C:  While the total project cost has not been disclosed publicly, it is known that about USD 1.5 billion was spent on local goods and services, including fabrication, logistics, training, and the first fabrication of turret components in Angola.

The total estimated cost for Kizomba C, including both FPSOs, subsea infrastructure, and 36 wells, will be approximately USD 2 - 3 billion, based on the previous phases and the USD 1.5 billion spent on local goods and services.

Design & Engineering Details

FPSO Saxi Batuque’s Contractors

Project Timeline

Current Status of the Project

Recently, the project has witnessed expansion in the following three areas.

• Contract Extension: In February 2025, SBM Offshore announced a contract extension for the lease and operation of FPSO Saxi Batuque until June 2026

• Crude Oil Assays: Equinor updated the Saxi Batuque Blend crude oil assays on November 1, 2024, indicating ongoing production and its relevance in the oil market.

• Block 15 Extension: ExxonMobil and its partners extended Block 15's production sharing contract until 2032-2037, covering operations for FPSOs, including Saxi Batuque.

Conclusion

The FPSO Saxi Batuque Project is an oil & gas production development project on the coast of Angola in Block 15. With a production capacity of 100,000 barrels per day, the vessel has played a key role in extracting hydrocarbons from the Saxi and Batuque fields. Furthermore, it comprises advanced technologies in processing, mooring, and subsea tiebacks, allowing for efficient and safe operations in challenging offshore environments.

The successful deployment of the FPSO illustrates the increasing role that FPSOs are playing in unlocking challenging reserves and enhancing offshore production economics. In general, the FPSO Saxi Batuque has positioned Angola in the global energy market & furthermore, it demonstrated the ability of engineering innovation to integrate with sustainable offshore operations.

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