The HSE.1 project aims to develop and implement circular decommissioning strategies for FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) units. By adopting a circular economy approach, the project seeks to reduce socio-environmental impacts and increase the reuse and recycling of components during decommissioning, thus contributing to a more sustainable offshore oil and gas industry.

This project is part of the Offshore Technology Innovation Centre (OTIC), learn more at https://sites.usp.br/otic.

---

Problem Worth Solving

Offshore decommissioning is a high-cost, time-consuming, and energy-intensive process that generates significant offshore and onshore environmental impacts. Current FPSO decommissioning practices do not incorporate circular strategies. HSE.1 addresses this gap by optimizing resource use and enhancing circular value opportunities throughout the FPSO lifecycle.

---

Main Objectives

• Circular Decommissioning Strategies: Define and apply circular strategies for the decommissioning of current FPSO units.

• Offshore Circular Design Framework: Develop a modular and circular design approach covering the entire lifecycle of future FPSO units.

• Virtual Decommissioning System: Build a digital FPSO model integrated into a virtual platform for simulation, assessment, and gamification of decommissioning alternatives.

---

Expected Results

• Strategic Plan for Circular Decommissioning (current FPSOs)

• Offshore Circular Design Framework

• Virtual Decommissioning System and Assessment Tool

---

Methodology

The project adopts an interdisciplinary, multi-method approach involving university–industry collaboration. It includes:

• Scenario analysis and gamification

• Circularity index development

• Life cycle assessment (LCA)

• Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA)

• Benchmarking and site visits

• Stakeholder mapping and engagement across the energy ecosystem

---

Project Team

Coordinator:
Professor Marly Monteiro de Carvalho
I am a Full Professor at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Brazil. I coordinate the Project Management Lab (LGP USP), the MBA in Project Management (CEGP USP/FCAV), and the research group QEP-Quality and Product Engineering of CNPq. I hold a BSc in Production Engineering from the Universidade de São Paulo and MSc and Ph.D. degrees in the same area from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina and the Post-Doctoral Program at the Politecnico di Milano. I am an editorial board member of the Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Journal of Modern Project Management, and PM World Journal. I am a member of the Brazilian National Academy of Engineering (ANE). I participate in the Advisory Committee of the research chair in aeronautical project management at the University of Quebec a Trois Rivières, Canada. I was head of the Production Engineering Department from 2019-2023. I was an area editor of Technovation (area Business Model Innovation for Sustainability – from 2020-2024), and a department editor of the Project Management Journal from 2021-2024. I published 12 books and more than 200 articles in leading journals such as the Technological Forecasting and Social Change, International Journal of Project Management, International Journal of Production Research, International Journal of Operations Production Management, Business Strategy and the Environment, and Journal of Cleaner Production. I have been coordinating projects sponsored by several funds, such as CNPq, CAPES, FAPESP, and Newton Fund. Academic partnerships (projects, co-authored papers, and/or exchange of students) with the University of Cambridge (UK), Aston University (UK), University of Surrey (UK), University of York (UK), University of Oxford (UK), MIT (USA), Copenhagen Business School (Denmark), Technical University of Denmark (DTU- Denmark), University of Quebec (Canada). Citation overview: Web of Science (h-index: 29), Scopus (h-index: 32), Google Scholar (h-index: 57), ResearchGate (h-index: 42). I was a member of Capes Engineering III committee and ABEPRO director board (vice-president and technical director). (Source: Lattes Curriculum)
Lattes Curriculum
LinkedIn
Contact: marlymc@usp.br

Vice-Coordinator:

Professor Roberta de Castro Souza Pião
I work as an Associate Professor at the Department of Production Engineering, the University of São Paulo, Brazil. I have a degree in Economics (1995), a Master’s in Production Engineering (1999) and a PhD in Production Engineering at the University of São Paulo, Brazil (2005). Besides, I was a visiting fellow at the University of Sussex, the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), United Kingdom, in 2004. From March 2017 to February 2018, I was in a post-doctoral position at the Centre for Research into Sustainability (CRIS) of the School of Management, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. My main research interests are sustainable value chains, circular economy, economics of organizations, and social inclusion. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)
Lattes Curriculum
LinkedIn
Contact: robertacsouza@usp.br

Researchers:

André Bergsten Mendes (PhD Professor, Department of Naval and Ocean Engineering, Escola Politécnica da USP) – Lattes Curriculum 

Bernardo Luis Rodrigues de Andrade (PhD Professor, Department of Naval and Ocean Engineering, Escola Politécnica da USP) – Lattes Curriculum

Gilberto Francisco Martha de Souza (Full Professor, Department of Mechatronics and Mechanical Systems Engineering, Escola Politécnica da USP) – Lattes Curriculum

Marcelo Ramos Martins (Associate Professor, Department of Naval and Ocean Engineering, Escola Politécnica da USP) – Lattes Curriculum

Luiz Alexandre Kulay (Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Escola Politécnica da USP) – Lattes Curriculum

Thayla Tavares de Sousa Zomer (PhD Professor – Production Engineering Department, Escola Politécnica da USP) – Lattes Curriculum

Tiago Fonseca A. Cavalcanti Sigahi (PhD Professor – Production Engineering Department, Escola Politécnica da USP) – Lattes Curriculum