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The new P-63 Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel featuring Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines, the first such ship to utilize gas engines to produce more than 100 MWe of power, has successfully completed all the required full 100% load tests. The tests were carried out at the Cosco shipyard in Dalian, China and the vessel will commence operations in Brazil's offshore oil fields in 2013.

The Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines are capable of being run on treated well gas or treated crude, as well as marine diesel oil (MDO), which means that virtually no MDO will need to be shipped to the P-63, which will notably reduce operating costs.

Furthermore, this gas-fired power solution is also set to significantly lower levels of CO2 emissions compared to conventional technologies. In real terms, it is estimated that the level of carbon emissions will be reduced by as much as 93,000 tons per year.

Wärtsilä was contracted by the Brazilian industrial group QUIP, to provide a turnkey package for this vessel. The package includes three main power modules, each comprising two 18-cylinder Wärtsilä 50DF engines in V-configuration, alternators and all required auxiliary equipment, as well as commissioning, start-up, and operational supervision.

"This validation of the Wärtsilä technology represents a milestone event, and one that demonstrates Wärtsilä's capability to execute complex integration projects for the oil and gas industry with a solution that contributes notably to successful client operations. The Wärtsilä turnkey project model is an effective means to enhance project completion targets. We have enjoyed working closely with our client, QUIP, and look forward to the final tests when the FPSO is on location at Brazil's offshore Papa-Terra field," said Magnus Miemois, Vice President, Solutions, Wärtsilä Ship Power Offshore.

Wärtsilä has now sold more than 2000 of its gas fuelled engines, which together have accumulated more than 7 million operational running hours in both marine and land-based applications.