Nov. 7 – The countries with the most FPSOs in the world concentrate large-scale offshore production; the pre-salt layer drives demand for offshore logistics and strengthens maritime operations in the sector.
The global map of countries with the most FPSOs in the world reveals a reshaping of power in offshore production. Brazil leads with 46 FPSOs in operation, supported by the advancement of the pre-salt layer and an industrial ecosystem that combines topside integration, specialized maintenance, and long-haul logistics. Following Brazil, the United Kingdom, Angola, Nigeria, and China make up a block of technical and commercial relevance, each with its own regulatory particularities and field maturity.
The current picture reveals where the demand for engineering, logistics, and maritime operations is most intense and recurrent. Knowing the distribution of FPSOs indicates contracting trends, retrofit profiles, and the type of local content solution that tends to gain traction. For those working in the sector, understanding the geography of the fleet is a strategic input for portfolio planning and competitive positioning. Brazil: Pre-Salt Scale and Multiplier Effect
Brazil maintains its leadership with 46 FPSOs, a result of projects in ultra-deep waters and operational maturity in the pre-salt layer.
The combination of large units, maintenance windows, and well expansion creates continuous demand for commissioning, inspection, integrity, and subsea intervention services.
The cadence of new entries consolidates the country as the largest destination for contracts related to operation and maintenance.
In terms of logistics, the fleet is distributed across hubs that connect supplies, teams, and support vessels, requiring fine-tuned planning of weather windows and tugboats for long-distance displacements.
The predictability of the pipeline favors suppliers with responsiveness, risk management, and critical stockpiles close to the basins.
Offshore logistics orchestrates supplies and teams for continuous maritime operation at the hubs.
United Kingdom: North Sea and Field Revitalization
With 18 FPSOs, the UK operates primarily in the North Sea, where revitalization of mature fields and retrofitting guide the technical agenda.
The focus is on efficiency, operational decarbonization, and life extension in units that combine topside upgrades, metrology, and instrumentation.
The regulatory environment demands rigorous integrity and emissions management, which strengthens niches in advanced inspection, process modifications, and digitalization.
The accumulated experience in mature fields creates a market for high value-added solutions and firm intervention timelines.
The focus on mature offshore production supports maritime operation and offshore logistics contracts.
Angola: Deepwater and Local Content
Angola has 16 FPSOs and remains among the leaders in West Africa.
The offshore geography and water depth impose logistical and maintenance challenges, with spare parts routines and team schedules adjusted to maritime windows.
Local content guides knowledge transfer and capacity-building strategies.
The need to maintain recovery factors in relevant assets drives process optimization, reliability, and corrosion management services.
Contract predictability depends on operational stability and synchronization between operators and international suppliers.
Nigeria: extending life and creative solutions
Nigeria, with 15 FPSOs, operates in mature fields that benefit from the use of FPSOs to extend well life.
The pressure for productivity and availability stimulates creative solutions in support and maintenance, including modular upgrades and reduced shutdown strategies.
In this context, integrity planning and risk management are competitive differentiators.
The logistics of critical parts and the safety of offshore operations dictate the pace of execution, favoring players with rapid mobilization capabilities and robust compliance.
China: shipbuilding industry and technological expansion
China has 14 FPSOs and relies on a strong shipbuilding and construction industry to accelerate deliveries and standardize components.
The movement includes increasing investment in offshore technology and international partnerships to integrate supply chains and detailed engineering.
This ecosystem allows for economies of scale in manufacturing, commissioning, and testing, shortening timelines and enabling solution packages that combine hull, topsides, and automation.
The focus on standardization reduces unit costs and increases competitiveness in new projects.
What the numbers indicate for engineering and logistics
The concentration of countries with the most FPSOs in the world indicates waves of demand for integrity, risk-based inspection, process upgrades, and maritime support operations.
Brazil leads the growth trend, while the United Kingdom, Angola, Nigeria, and China maintain stable pipelines for retrofitting, maintenance, and construction.
For suppliers, the message is clear: logistical responsiveness, advanced inventories, traceability, and SLAs for critical parts become crucial.
At the same time, safety and performance standards gain weight as selection criteria, raising the technical barrier to entry.
The ranking of countries with the most FPSOs in the world places Brazil in the lead, followed by the United Kingdom, Angola, Nigeria, and China, each with specific opportunities in engineering, logistics, supply chain, and maritime operation.
Among the countries with the most FPSOs in the world, the pre-salt layer continues to be a driving force in offshore production with integrated offshore logistics.
Brazil Energy Insight 
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