GIRASSOL

• AOGIR
• Latitude: -7.65009
• Longitude: 11.6829
• West Africa
• Offshore Terminal in Angola

Location: Angola

Port of Girassol, Angola

The Port of Girassol is primarily associated with the Girassol oil field, which is one of the major offshore oil fields in Angola. It lies in Block 17 of the Angolan offshore region, operated by TotalEnergies (formerly Total). The port infrastructure here is designed to facilitate the extraction, processing, and export of crude oil. Below are some key descriptive points and specifications related to the Girassol port and the associated oil field facilities:

Location:

• Geographical Position: Approx. 150 kilometers off the coast of Angola in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Block: Located in offshore Block 17.

Operational Details:

• Primary Operator: TotalEnergies.
• Associated Companies: Sonangol (state oil company of Angola), and several other international partners.

Key Infrastructure:

1. Girassol FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading unit):

   • Purpose: Extracts and processes crude oil directly at sea.
   • Capacity: Can produce around 200,000 barrels of oil per day.
   • Storage: Has the capacity to store approximately 2 million barrels of oil.

2. Subsea Infrastructure:

   • Wells: Multiple subsea wells connected to the FPSO.
   • Flowlines and Risers: Network of pipelines and risers to transport hydrocarbons from the seabed to the FPSO.

Specification:

• Depth: The water depth in the Girassol field is approximately 1,350 meters.
• Discovery and Production:
  • Discovered: 1996.
  • Production Start: The FPSO began operations in December 2001.

Features:

• High-Technology Solutions: The FPSO and subsea systems are equipped with advanced technology to ensure efficient and safe extraction and processing of crude oil.
• Environmental and Safety Standards: Operates in compliance with stringent environmental and safety regulations to minimize impacts on the maritime ecosystem.

Logistics and Export:

• Crude Oil Loading: The extracted and processed oil is loaded from the FPSO onto tankers for transportation to global markets.
• Supporting Vessels: Includes supply vessels, maintenance ships, and transport vessels that support the ongoing operations at sea.

Economic Importance:

• Girassol, being a significant oil field, contributes substantially to Angola’s oil production capacity and overall economy. It is one of the pivotal offshore fields alongside others in Block 17 and neighboring blocks.

Challenges and Considerations:

• Environmental Challenges: Maintaining operations in deepwater and ensuring minimal environmental impact.
• Technical Challenges: Continuous maintenance and upgrading of sophisticated subsea and floating production systems.
• Logistical Challenges: Efficiently managing transport and export logistics from such an offshore location.

Summary

The Port of Girassol in Angola is a crucial node in the country's offshore oil production infrastructure. With advanced FPSO units and extensive subsea installations, it plays a vital role in extracting and processing significant volumes of crude oil, thereby driving both local and international energy markets. As operations continue, maintaining high standards of safety, environmental care, and technical efficiency remain paramount.