SBM's experience in "Gas Systems" started several years ago with the supply of mooring systems and terminals such as for the Ardjuna Sakti LPG storage barge originally installed in 1976 and operated by ARCO.
Significant "Gas Experience" was gained by the SBM group of companies through the operation of several FPSOs supplied on a turnkey basis for the production of offshore fields featuring large volumes of associated gas. One prime example of such an FPSO is the Tantawan FPSO, leased and operated by SBM on behalf of ChevronTexaco in the Gulf of Thailand. This unit is capable of treating and compressing up to 150 MMscfd of gas to pipeline export pressure.
Offshore LPG storage, processing and offloading in either pressurized or refrigerated conditions is already part of SBM's normal scope of services. SBM just completed the fabrication of the Sanha LPG FPSO which will start operations in Angola in April 2005 under a lease contract for ChevronTexaco.
SBM also owns and operates together with Maersk for TOTAL NKossa II LPG FSO, which has been in service since November 1996.