Malaysia-based Yinson Production has brought online a carbon capture and storage (CCS) system aboard the Agogo floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit, marking a first for offshore energy infrastructure. The installation represents the debut of a post-combustion capture system operating at sea, developed through a partnership with Azule Energy and Carbon Circle.
The system relies on CESAR1, an open-source solvent designed for carbon capture applications.
Developed through years of academic work and international pilot testing, the amine-based formulation is engineered to reduce the energy required for regeneration while maintaining rapid absorption rates. These characteristics make it particularly suited for deployment in space-constrained and energy-sensitive offshore environments.
Engineering Around Offshore Constraints
According to project partners, integrating the capture system into a working FPSO required overcoming significant logistical and operational hurdles. Limited space, added system complexity, and the need to maintain uninterrupted production posed challenges during installation and commissioning.
Despite these constraints, the partners successfully deployed the technology, highlighting the role of cross-industry collaboration in advancing decarbonization solutions for oil and gas operations.
The Agogo FPSO itself is a large-scale asset, capable of producing up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day and storing approximately 1.6 million barrels.
Relevant: Yinson Production Completes Acquisition Of Stella Maris CCS
Positioned as Angola’s first carbon-neutral FPSO, it plays a central role in the Agogo Integrated West Hub development. The project is led by Azule Energy, alongside Sonangol P&P and Sinopec International as co-venturers.
Originally constructed in 2009 as a very large crude carrier (VLCC), the vessel underwent extensive conversion at Chinese shipyards before redeployment. Following upgrades, the FPSO departed Shanghai in early 2025, ready for operations with integrated emissions reduction capabilities.
The commissioning of CCS on Agogo signals a potential pathway for lowering emissions in offshore production, an area traditionally difficult to decarbonize.
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