A 220,000-bpd FPSO bound for TotalEnergies' GranMorgu development off Suriname may become the first floating production unit towed across an ocean with wind-assisted kite traction, under an agreement signed by SBM Offshore, Technip Energies and Beyond the Sea.

The SBM Offshore & Technip Energies Joint Venture (STS JV) and TotalEnergies EP Suriname will work with the French kite-traction specialist to evaluate the SeaKite 2400 system on the GranMorgu FPSO during its tow from the construction yard in China to Block 58, 150 km off the Suriname coast.

The objective is twofold: cut towing duration and fuel consumption on the delivery voyage, and generate a validated use case for kite traction on large-scale vessels.

What has actually been agreed?

The partners have committed to a phased R&D program, not a final installation decision. The scope covers:

• Technology development and qualification
• Cost and operational readiness assessment
• An intensive onshore test program before integration on the FPSO in China
• Deployment of the SeaKite 2400, which can provide automated traction depending on wind conditions

SBM Offshore states plainly that progression to subsequent stages depends on meeting predefined technical and safety criteria. The partners also aim to validate the kite's wing launching and recovery system and to collect data for sizing optimization using digital modelling.

The company describes the initiative as a first-of-a-kind application of kite traction towing for an FPSO, requiring close coordination between stakeholders and a specific risk-management approach given the nature of the vessel.

Laurent Le Touze, SBM Offshore's Group Technology and Product Development Director, said: "We are evaluating how wind-assisted propulsion can contribute to lower-carbon and more energy-efficient offshore logistics for the GranMorgu project, while also supporting the development of innovative maritime solutions with broader decarbonization potential."

Yves Parlier, founder of Beyond the Sea, added: "Our ambition is to meet this challenge with humility and determination, progressively demonstrating that kite traction propulsion can become a reliable, operational and effective solution."

Where does GranMorgu stand?

GranMorgu is a sanctioned project, not appraisal-stage speculation. TotalEnergies took final investment decision on the development after front-end engineering design progressed on Block 58's two main discoveries, Sapakara South and Krabdagu.

The fields hold recoverable reserves estimated at more than 750 million barrels in water depths between 100 and 1,000 meters. The operator initially pegged investment at around $10.5 billion, with first oil slated for 2028; the total investment value could reach up to $12.2 billion.

The FPSO is designed to accommodate future tie-back opportunities to extend its production plateau.

Frédéric Beys, TotalEnergies' GranMorgu Project Director, said: "Improving energy efficiency remains a constant driver in our developments. Beyond the Sea offers a solution that fully aligns with this objective, and we are proud to support the challenge of scaling up the SeaKite system during the towing phase of the GranMorgu project."

"We believe this initiative will demonstrate a significant step forward, paving the way for innovative wind-assisted propulsion solutions in maritime transport," Beys said.

What is the watch item?

The gate to watch is the qualification sequence. The onshore test program in China must clear the predefined technical and safety criteria before the SeaKite 2400 is integrated onto the FPSO for the tow to Suriname. First oil from GranMorgu remains targeted for 2028.