FPSO Topsides Modules
Following the discovery of oil in 1993 in the Schiehallion field located in deep water West of Shetland, development of the reserves was based upon a new-build floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The Topsides process modules and skids were fabricated in Ardersier and sent to Belfast for integration into the FPSO hull which was being built there by Harland & Wolf. The scope of work included the fabrication of a range of structures ranging in weight from 100 to 500 tonnes and the supply of 4,000 pipe spools. At the time, the vessel was the largest FPSO new-build of its type. Production commenced in 1998, and in 2014 the field was redeveloped with a new and larger FPSO which continued to produce into 2025.