Discover Offshore Floating Units: A Complete Guide

By GEKO Valves

Offshore floating units play a critical role in modern oil and gas development, especially in deepwater and remote fields. These systems are far more than vessels—they are the backbone of flexible, secure offshore energy production. Below, GEKO Valves introduces the five most important offshore floating installations and their functions.

1. FPSO – Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Unit

✅ All-in-One Offshore Solution

What it does:
An FPSO produces, processes, stores, and offloads hydrocarbons directly at sea.

Role:
FPSOs are the preferred solution for deepwater oil fields where pipelines are impractical or uneconomical. They manage the entire offshore hydrocarbon lifecycle, from production to export, making them one of the most versatile offshore assets.

2. FSO – Floating Storage and Offloading Unit

✅ Offshore Storage Hub

What it does:
An FSO stores crude oil but does not process or produce it.

Role:
FSOs are essential for oil fields that already have production facilities—such as fixed platforms—but require offshore storage before exporting crude oil to tankers.

3. FLNG – Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Unit

✅ Mobile LNG Factory

What it does:
FLNG units liquefy natural gas directly offshore.

Role:
FLNG represents a major technological breakthrough, enabling operators to monetize stranded offshore gas fields without the need for costly onshore LNG plants.

4. FSRU – Floating Storage and Regasification Unit

✅ Energy Gateway

What it does:
An FSRU stores LNG and converts it back into natural gas.

Role:
FSRUs provide the fastest route to market for natural gas, bypassing lengthy and capital-intensive onshore terminal construction. They are widely used to enhance energy security and supply flexibility.

5. FSU – Floating Storage Unit

✅ Offshore Buffer Capacity

What it does:
An FSU provides pure storage capacity for crude oil or LNG.

Role:
FSUs are used to strictly control volumes and ensure continuous flow, buffering, and operational stability at terminals and offshore facilities.

Why Offshore Floating Units Matter

These offshore units are not just ships—they are strategic assets that enable flexible production, remote operations, and long-term energy security. From FPSOs to FSUs, each unit plays a vital role in the global offshore energy supply chain.

At GEKO Valves, we support offshore floating systems with high-performance valve solutions designed for reliability, safety, and extreme marine environments.

GEKO Valves – Powering Offshore Energy with Precision and Reliability.