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Long Shaft Vertical Progressive Cavity Pumps for FPSO Applications

Optimizing produced water transfer on an FPSO with vertical PCP technology

 

Offshore FPSO facilities require pumping solutions that combine high reliability, compact installation and resistance to demanding produced fluids.

For this project, wash tanks were integrated directly into the hull of an FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading unit). This configuration optimized available space and reduced topside weight while providing water-in-oil separation and desalting before downstream treatment.

PCM engineered long shaft vertical progressing cavity pumps specifically for this FPSO configuration, providing reliable produced water transfer while preserving the separation of the oil and water phases.

PCM_Case_Studies_FPSO_vignette

Project Context

  • Application: FPSO produced water transfer
  • Fluid handled: Produced water
  • Flow rate: 120 m³/h (≈ 530 USGPM)
  • Differential pressure: 8 bar (≈ 120 PSI)
  • Installation: Vertical configuration
  • Pump length: 30 m 

The challenge 

The solution had to handle corrosive produced fluids with varying viscosities while operating within significant space constraints.

The main challenges included:

  • Handling corrosive produced fluids
  • Managing fluids with varying viscosities
  • Preserving separated oil and water phases
  • Minimizing equipment footprint on the topsides
  • Designing a vertical pump capable of operating over a 30 m length

Key benefits of the PCM vertical PCP solution

The engineered PCM solution provides several advantages for offshore FPSO applications:

  • Compact vertical installation reducing topside footprint
  • Reliable transfer of corrosive produced fluids
  • Low-shear pumping helping prevent oil/water re-emulsification
  • Capability to handle varying fluid viscosities
  • Materials selected for demanding offshore operating conditions
  • Custom 30 m pump configuration adapted to the FPSO hull design

PCM solution: 30 m vertical Moineau™ progressing cavity pumps

PCM Moineau™ 390THP15V Progressive Cavity Pump

PCM engineered the PCM Moineau™ 390THP15V progressing cavity pump specifically for vertical installation inside the 30 m FPSO hull, with the drive end positioned above deck.

Based on Moineau™ progressing cavity technology, the pump provides a gentle, low-shear and controlled flow, helping transfer pre-separated fluids without re-emulsification.

To withstand the demanding characteristics of produced fluids, wetted components were manufactured from corrosion-resistant alloys and combined with PCM-developed elastomers selected for fluid compatibility and operating conditions.

The project also resulted in the construction of the largest PCM Moineau™ pumps ever manufactured

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PCM Moineau™ AV vertical pump model
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