FPSO Carioca, Charterer by Petrobras, Begins Oil and Gas Production at Sépia Field in the Pre-Salt Layer of the Santos Basin

The Petrobras-Carioca FPSO, Chartered by Petrobras, to Operate in the Pre-Salt, Will Be the Largest Unit in Brazil in Complexity and Oil Production Volume

Petrobras started today, this Monday (08/23), the production of oil and natural gas from the FPSO Carioca, the first definitive production system installed in the Sépia field, in the pre-salt of the Santos Basin. With this unit, Petrobras now has 22 platforms in production in the pre-salt, which together account for 70% of the company’s total production. Also see this news: Petrobras Closes Contract with SBM Offshore for Chartering and Provision of Services for FPSO Mero 4, to Be Installed in the Pre-Salt of the Santos Basin

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The FPSO Carioca, Chartered by Petrobras, to Operate in the Sépia Field in the Santos Basin

The platform, a type of FPSO (Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading unit), is located approximately 200 km off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in a water depth of 2,200 meters. With the capacity to process up to 180,000 barrels of oil daily and compress up to 6 million m³ of natural gas, the FPSO Carioca, a unit chartered with Modec, will contribute to the projected growth of Petrobras’s production.

The project foresees the interconnection of seven production wells and four injector wells to the FPSO. The transportation of oil production will be done by shuttle tankers, while the gas production will be transported through the pre-salt gas pipeline routes. Aligned with Petrobras’s commitment to a 32% reduction in carbon intensity in the Exploration and Production area by 2025, with continuous investment in research and development, the project also includes a CO2 removal system present in the produced gas and re-injection at the reservoir, reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and improving oil recovery.

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The Construction of the FPSO

The FPSO was constructed partly in China and partly in Brazil and arrived at the Brasfels Shipyard in Angra dos Reis in February 2021 for the verticalization of the 135 m flare—a special construction activity—as well as the finalization of the integration and commissioning of the unit. These activities generated around 600 direct jobs. At this shipyard, during the construction phase, two of the modules that make up the FPSO were manufactured, which contributed to the local content of the project and generated approximately 400 direct jobs.

Petrobras plans to invest US$ 46.5 billion in oil and gas production in Brazil by 2025, partnering with other companies in the E&P area, focusing on deep and ultra-deep waters. The FPSO Carioca is the first of the 13 new platforms expected to commence production between 2021 and 2025. By 2025, there will be 12 more new production systems in deep waters, joining the 60 platforms already operating by Petrobras. With this level of specialization, the company becomes increasingly efficient in operations.

The Sépia Field, Operated by Petrobras

Sépia is one of the areas of the onerous grant of the pre-salt of the Santos Basin. On December 17, the government will auction—the second time—the excess volume of oil for the project, along with the Atapu field. Petrobras has already expressed its right of preference and will be the operator of the area with at least 30% participation.

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Bento Albuquerque, has indicated that the government’s expectation is that the competition from other companies in the auction will be to operate alongside Petrobras. In an interview with CNN, Bento said, “No company will enter this auction without Petrobras’s participation, as Petrobras is already producing in these fields. And it is considered the most qualified oil company for production in deep waters.”