Chemical injection skids delivered for offshore FPSO programme
24 September 2026 
Chemical injection skids incorporating hydraulically actuated diaphragm metering pumps have been delivered for three FPSOs operating in Brazil’s Búzios field, with the integrated packages engineered to meet the performance, safety and space requirements of offshore applications. H&P reports
When a leading engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor required chemical injection skids for three new FPSOs destined for the Buzios field in the Santos Basin, Brazil, the scale and schedule of the programme demanded far more than equipment supply. It demanded coordinated global engineering expertise and the ability to deliver complete, integrated systems. The EPC found the perfect partner in pump systems specialist LEWA.
Together, the multi-million-euro contracts represented 36,000 engineering hours, the management of 270 tonnes of materials, and the integration of 228 pumps with multiple pump heads into nine fully assembled chemical injection packages. The skids were delivered within a strict timeframe to meet EPC and enduser scheduling requirements.
At the technical core of the packages is the LEWA ecoflow metering pump range. Designed around hydraulically actuated diaphragm technology, LEWA ecoflow pumps are engineered to deliver high accuracy, reliability and operational safety in demanding offshore environments. For this programme, each pump configuration was engineered to order, with combinations of gear ratios, plunger diameters and pump head materials selected to meet precise flow, pressure and chemical compatibility requirements.
However, the pumps themselves were only part of the story. The project scope covered full chemical injection skids, including piping, valves, instrumentation, inspection and testing in accordance with API 675 standards as well as ones from different areas, and aligned with customer specifications and best practices for the highest engineering level. Construction of the skid packages required careful coordination between multiple stakeholders, including frequent quality checks on-site from the EPC contractor, the end operator and independent inspection authorities.
One unanticipated challenge was a customer restructuring. The three FPSO contracts were originally awarded through two different EPC organisations. The EPC entities then merged, so the programme effectively became a single, larger project: bringing new coordination demands, tighter alignment requirements and increased pressure on delivery performance.
LEWA responded by aligning execution across its regional teams and implementing centralised procurement for common components. By coordinating purchasing and supplier negotiations across all three skid packages, LEWA optimised cost, improved delivery reliability, and maintained a consistent engineering approach. Its Singapore operation secured the 3 FPSO Package orders, out of which design, fabrication, assembly, testing and delivery of two identical orders of chemical injection skids were handled locally while the third order was handled in Milan. Core pump manufacturing was handled in Leonberg, Germany, with testing and inspection support from the team in Dalian, China. Aftermarket and lifecycle support will be provided locally via the customer centre responsible for South America based in Brazil.
This execution model proved instrumental in maintaining delivery performance. Centralised procurement for common components improved supply chain efficiency, while assembling skids close to the EPC’s module yard in Asia accelerated customer inspections and reduced logistics risk during a period of global supply chain instability.
Engineering considerations
Engineering considerations extended well beyond flow and pressure targets. Offshore installations place strong emphasis on weight reduction and compact footprint. LEWA optimised multi-head pump configurations, enabling several injection points to operate from a single pump. This approach reduced both weight and space requirements while maintaining performance and operational redundancy.
Skid layouts were also developed to support the FPSO operator’s emphasis on energy-efficient operations. Particular attention was paid to minimising chemical waste during maintenance procedures. Drain points and connections were positioned to support safe and efficient collection of spent chemicals offshore.
As with any major offshore programme, process adjustments and layout modifications were introduced during execution, requiring close coordination between engineering teams across continents. Early experience from the first FPSO informed smoother duplication and delivery for subsequent units, demonstrating the value of structured knowledge transfer within a global organisation.
Over successive FPSO projects, LEWA’s scope has expanded from pump supply to full skid integration. This reflects increasing confidence in their system integration and execution capabilities.
Summarising the significance of the programme, Stefan Glasmeyer, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Industrial Flow Division, commented “These FPSO projects demonstrate how we operate as one global organisation. From early-stage engineering discussions through to manufacturing, assembly and lifecycle support, our teams collaborate across continents to deliver complete solutions. By engaging early with our customers and understanding both technical and operational requirements, we can optimise design, reduce risk and create long-term value. That collaborative approach is what turns a product procurement project into a lasting partnership.”
With further FPSO contracts already in execution for the same offshore development programme, LEWA continues to build on this momentum. The delivery of three large chemical injection skid packages within a tight schedule provides a reference model for future offshore projects of similar scale and complexity.
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Image cap – Custom pump configurations for the Buzios field were engineered to meet specific flow, pressure, and chemical compatibility requirements