Modec and Samsung E&A Collaborate on Carbon Capture System for FPSO

Japanese floater expert Modec has teamed up with Korean construction and project management company Samsung E&A to work on a pioneering project involving the installation of a carbon capture system on a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The collaboration involves a front-end engineering and design contract for the deployment of a carbon capture module, utilizing Carbon Clean’s innovative CycloneCC technology, on a Modec FPSO as a pilot program. This initiative marks the first-ever implementation of CycloneCC in an onboard carbon capture setup.

Under the agreement, Carbon Clean will provide crucial support for the project by offering equipment supply of the rotating packed bed technology used in CycloneCC, as well as licensing the process design package for the unit. Meanwhile, Samsung E&A will handle detailed engineering tasks to optimize the technology for offshore operations and the specific conditions of the FPSO.

One of the key advantages of the CycloneCC technology is its compact design. The unit footprint is significantly smaller compared to traditional solutions, with a reduction of up to 50% in equipment sizes. Additionally, it offers a height reduction of 70% in comparison to column-based technologies, making it a more space-efficient option for offshore installations. The rotating packed bed also enhances capture performance under vessel motions, surpassing the capabilities of conventional column systems.

If the pilot program proves successful, there are plans to potentially scale up the deployment by installing a commercial CycloneCC unit on Modec’s FPSO fleet in the future. This advancement in onboard carbon capture technology is seen as a crucial step towards decarbonizing offshore oil and gas operations, offering a cost-effective and scalable solution that can be replicated across multiple vessels.

Commenting on the significance of the project, Aniruddha Sharma, Chair and CEO of Carbon Clean, emphasized the importance of onboard carbon capture for sustainability in the oil and gas industry. He highlighted the logistical and commercial viability of the CycloneCC technology, which presents a more efficient and affordable alternative to traditional amine systems.