ABS has granted qualification to a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power system developed by MODEC and Eld Energy for use on floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, the partners' project announced via Fuel Cells Works.

The qualification covers the SOFC system's suitability for FPSO service — a step toward deploying fuel cell power on floating production units rather than relying solely on gas turbine or diesel generation.

MODEC, one of the largest FPSO operators in the offshore sector, has partnered with Eld Energy on the technology. ABS, the US-headquartered classification society, carried out the qualification review.

What does the qualification cover?

The headline fact is the ABS qualification itself: the class society has reviewed and accepted the MODEC–Eld Energy SOFC system for FPSO application. Details disclosed in the announcement are limited to the parties involved and the technology type.

No details on the following were included in the source announcement, and this report does not speculate on them:

• System power rating or number of fuel cell modules
• Target FPSO or specific field application
• Fuel type (associated gas, methanol, hydrogen, or other)
• Timeline for first deployment

Who are the players?

MODEC is a Japan-based FPSO leasing and operating company with units working across offshore basins including Brazil's pre-salt and West Africa. Eld Energy is the technology partner on the SOFC system. ABS provides classification services for offshore units worldwide.

Why does this matter for offshore power?

SOFC technology converts fuel to electricity electrochemically, and offshore operators are examining fuel cells as an alternative or supplement to gas turbine generator sets on FPSOs, where power demand is substantial and continuous.

For FPSO operators, qualification by a classification society is a prerequisite step before any unit can install and operate such a system in class. The ABS acceptance therefore marks the regulatory milestone, not a final investment decision or a sanctioned installation.

No commentary on cost, emissions performance, or efficiency figures appeared in the source material; this report treats those as open questions.

The watch item: a first FPSO assignment for the qualified MODEC–Eld Energy SOFC system. No target unit or startup date has been disclosed.