Advanced Production and Loading

Advanced Production and Loading (APL) operates as a specialized entity within the offshore energy sector, focusing on the development, fabrication, and sale of advanced systems for the production, storage, and transport of oil and gas via ships. The company was established in Norway in 1993, born from the market's need for more reliable offshore loading systems that could function in harsh weather conditions.

APL's inception was driven by the goal to commercialize its pioneering Submerged Turret Loading (STL) and Submerged Turret Production (STP) systems. These technologies became foundational, leading to the development of a broader portfolio of products designed to enhance the operational limits of offshore loading. Over the years, the company expanded its offerings to include turret mooring and various offshore loading and offloading systems. A significant milestone was achieved in 2005 when APL was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. In a strategic move in December 2010, APL was acquired by National Oilwell Varco (NOV), a global leader in oil and gas drilling and production equipment, for approximately $500 million. This acquisition integrated APL into NOV's Rig Technology group, positioning it to better serve the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) market.

The firm's business is structured into two main areas: Production Systems and Loading Systems. The Production Systems division supplies turret and mooring systems for the FPSO and Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) industries, while the Loading Systems division provides ship-based and field equipment for terminals and for transferring oil and gas between offshore units. APL's client base consists of major oil and gas companies and vessel operators worldwide. Its systems are utilized in a wide range of environments, from the harsh conditions of the North Sea to deep and shallow waters in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. Revenue is generated through the engineering, fabrication, sale, and installation of these highly specialized systems.

APL's product suite addresses critical interfaces between the seabed and floating production units. The flagship STL and STP systems are standardized turret solutions that allow vessels to weathervane freely while being securely moored and connected to subsea wells. Building on this core technology, APL developed a comprehensive range of products, including the Single Anchor Loading (SAL), Buoy Turret Loading (BTL), and External Turret Production (ETP) systems. The company also offers solutions for tandem offloading, such as the Bow Loading System (BLS), and systems aimed at environmental protection, like those for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) recovery.

Keywords: offshore loading systems, turret mooring systems, submerged turret loading, submerged turret production, FPSO technology, FSO solutions, offshore oil and gas, deepwater development, single anchor loading, buoy turret loading, external turret production, offshore production equipment, hydrocarbon transfer, marine engineering, NOV APL, mooring solutions, fluid transfer systems, offshore terminals, oil and gas transport, ship-based storage