Samos locks in nine-year MOPU charter off Malaysia with $1bn upside
Singapore-based Samos Energy secures four-year firm bareboat charter with five extension options for West Desaru MOPU.
Singapore’s Samos Energy has secured a long-term charter for its West Desaru mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) in a deal with Indonesian energy company Medco Energi. The agreement, finalized through Samos Energy’s subsidiary FPF005 Limited, was awarded by Medco’s regional arm, Medco Asia Pacific Limited, and will take effect on September 23, 2026.
The contract establishes a four-year firm charter period, with an additional five one-year extension options, allowing for a potential total duration of nine years. Under the agreement, the MOPU will continue operating at the West Desaru field, located offshore Malaysia under the Cendramas production-sharing contract (PSC).
The West Desaru MOPU was part of a three-asset acquisition by Samos Energy, which also included the PF-003 floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO)—previously known as Jasmine Venture MV7—and the Lewek EMAS FPSO. Following the purchase, all three units remained in service under their existing charter agreements without operational disruptions.
Charter terms and field deployment: Samos
The deal reflects growing confidence in Malaysia’s offshore production sector, with both companies signaling long-term commitment to the West Desaru field. The nine-year potential term suggests expectations of stable demand for the field’s output, despite volatility in global energy markets. Industry observers may view this agreement as a benchmark for future long-term charters in the region, particularly for mobile production units, which offer operational flexibility compared to fixed platforms.
For Samos Energy, the charter reinforces its role in supporting upstream operations in Southeast Asia. The company’s experience managing its existing FPSO fleet will be key to maintaining production efficiency at West Desaru. Meanwhile, Medco Energi gains a strategic partner to advance its exploration and production goals in one of the region’s most active offshore basins.
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