Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 26, On September 20, 2025, SBM Offshore, a Netherlands-based company specializing in offshore floating facilities, and COSCO Shipping, a Chinese shipbuilding leader, held a steel-cutting ceremony at COSCO’s Qidong shipyard in China. This event marked the start of construction for the Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) unit Chalchi, designed for Mexico’s first deepwater project, the Trion field, located in the Perdido Belt of the western Gulf of Mexico, approximately 180 kilometers off Mexico’s coast and 30 kilometers south of the US-Mexico maritime border.

The FSO, named Chalchi after the Aztec water deity Chalchiuhtlicue, reflects Mexico’s cultural heritage. The Suezmax-based unit, moored in 2,300 meters of water, will store up to 950,000 barrels of crude oil over its 27-year operational life. It features a disconnectable turret mooring (DTM) system, with initial steel-cutting for this component completed in February 2025. SBM Offshore secured a contract in 2024 to build and lease the FSO for 20 years, supporting the Trion project’s operational needs.

“We are proud to support Mexico’s inaugural deepwater development in collaboration with Woodside, and its partner Pemex, leveraging SBM Offshore’s proven experience and commitment to innovation,” said SBM Offshore. “Looking ahead, we’re eager to continue driving excellence and delivering results alongside our talented teams.”

The Trion project is a joint venture led by Woodside Energy, which holds a 60% stake and operates the field, alongside PEMEX, with a 40% interest. The collaboration highlights the combined expertise of SBM Offshore and COSCO Shipping in delivering advanced offshore infrastructure, ensuring the project meets high standards of efficiency and reliability.

This milestone follows Woodside Energy’s recent agreement with Türkiye’s BOTAŞ to supply approximately 5.8 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) over nine years, primarily sourced from Woodside’s newly approved Louisiana LNG project. The Trion FSO, however, focuses on crude oil storage, contributing to Mexico’s energy development by enabling efficient offshore production.

The construction of FSO Chalchi represents a significant step in advancing Mexico’s deepwater energy capabilities. By combining innovative engineering with strategic partnerships, SBM Offshore and COSCO Shipping are supporting sustainable progress in the global energy sector, delivering a critical component for the Trion field’s long-term success.