The FPSO Carioca chartered by Petrobras, which will operate in the pre-salt layer, will be the largest unit in Brazil in terms of complexity and oil production volume

Petrobras started today, this Monday (23/08), 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 layer of the Santos Basin. With this unit, Petrobras has 22 platforms in pre-salt production, which together already account for 70% of the company's total production. Also see this news: Petrobras signs contract with SBM Offshore for chartering and providing services for FPSO Mero 4, which will be installed in the pre-salt layer, in the Santos Basin

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The FPSO Carioca, chartered by Petrobras, which will operate in the Sépia field, in the Santos Basin pre-salt

The platform, of the FPSO type (floating oil and gas production, storage and transfer unit), is located approximately 200 km off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, at a water depth of 2.200 meters. With the capacity to process up to 180 barrels of oil daily and compress up to 6 million m³ of natural gas, the FPSO Carioca, a unit chartered from Modec, will contribute to the expected growth in Petrobras' production.

The project provides for the interconnection of seven production wells and four injection wells to the FPSO. The oil production will be transported by shuttle tankers, while the gas production will be transported through the pre-salt gas pipeline routes. Aligned with Petrobras' commitment to a 32% reduction in carbon intensity in the Exploration and Production area by 2025, with continued investment in research and development, the project also has a CO2 removal system present in the gas produced and reinjection into the deposit , reducing the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and improving oil recovery.

Construction of the FPSO

The FPSO was built partly in China and partly in Brazil and arrived at Estaleiro Brasfels, in Angra dos Reis, in February 2021 to carry out the verticalization of the 135 m flare – a special construction activity – as well as the completion of the integration and unit commissioning. 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 project's local content and generated approximately 400 direct jobs.

Petrobras plans to invest US$46,5 billion in oil and gas production in Brazil by 2025, working in partnership with other companies in the E&P area, focusing on deep and ultra-deep waters. The FPSO Carioca is the first of the company's 13 new platforms expected to go into production between 2021 and 2025. By 2025, there will be 12 new deepwater production systems, in addition to the 60 platforms already in existence and in operation by Petrobras. With this degree of specialization, the company becomes increasingly efficient in operations.

The Sépia field, operated by Petrobras

Sépia is one of the pre-salt onerous assignment areas ofa Santos Basin. On December 17th, the government will tender – for the second time – the excess oil volume for the project, along with the Atapu field. Petrobras has already expressed preemptive rights and will be the operator of the area with at least a 30% stake.

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Bento Albuquerque, has already indicated that the government's expectation is that competition from other companies in the auction will be to work together with Petrobras. In an interview with CNN, Bento says that “No company will enter this auction without Petrobras participating, because Petrobras is already producing in these fields. And it is considered the most qualified oil company to produce in deep waters”.