2025 offshore boom driven by innovation, safety standards

Digital twins, sustainable FPSOs, and advanced technologies enhance safety and competitiveness, driving efficiency and environmental performance in the global offshore energy sector, Miguel Hernandez, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Offshore, tells OGN

- ABDULAZIZ KHATTAK

OFFSHORE exploration and production is rebounding in 2025, driven by a dynamic mix of regulatory developments and technological advancements.

The industry is accelerating innovations that support the energy transition, with digital and energy-efficiency solutions underpinning future success.

To confirm that technical standards are upheld amid rapid transformation, classification is an independent, objective process used to verify industry best practices, and for more than 70 years.

Class societies like the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) continue to have a vital role in helping offshore asset owners and operators overcome the challenges of ocean depth and harsh environments, keeping safety at the forefront.

They are reinforcing the importance of technical safety standards while promoting novel concepts that push the boundaries of what's possible offshore.

South America has emerged as a powerhouse in offshore oil and gas activity, with Brazil and Guyana leading the charge.

Brazil's offshore industry is at a pivotal moment, where operational efficiency, digital innovation, and regulatory compliance must integrate seamlessly to support sustainable growth.

Its FPSO market remains a stabilising force, with orders for two new units for the Sergipe Deep Waters Project (SEAP), SEAP 1 and SEAP 2, reflecting the strategic importance of these capital-intensive assets.

In a landmark development for Brazil's offshore digital transformation, a digital twin and condition monitoring project for a mature FPSO in the Cessao Onerosa oil field is underway.

The creation of a digital twin of an asset using advanced structural performance management software can help to enable the industry to transition from traditional time-based maintenance approaches to more efficient condition-based methodologies, resulting in substantial operational cost savings while enhancing safety performance.