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Did You Know That The Pump Horse Has Been Used On Maritime Platforms?
The incredible record of an offshore pump horse in Bahia, in 1968, shared by Marcelo Gauto (Manager at Petrobras) through a retired ex-colleague, takes us back to the early days of oil production at sea in Brazil. Although this technology is typical of land fields, its application in the ocean was an initial attempt to adapt what we already knew.
At the beginning of offshore exploration, the solution was to improvise with existing resources. As wells moved further from the coast and delved into deeper waters, the need for new technologies became evident. It was in this scenario that revolutionary innovations emerged, culminating in challenges such as the pre-salt: wells at 5,000 meters deep, crossing thick layers of salt, in waters exceeding 2,000 meters.
This effort did not happen overnight. Decades of study and development were necessary to transform Brazil into an offshore production powerhouse. What did you think of this curiosity about our roots in maritime exploration?
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A Little More About The Pump Horse
The “pump horse,” or Mechanical Pumping Unit (MPU), is a technology traditionally used in land fields for oil extraction. However, historical records indicate that, in the early days of offshore exploration in Brazil, especially in Bahia during the 1960s, there were attempts to adapt this technology for use on maritime platforms.
These initiatives represented the first efforts of the Brazilian oil industry to transpose land technologies to the maritime environment. As the move to deeper waters progressed, it became evident that there was a need to develop specific solutions for the unique challenges of the offshore environment. This culminated in innovations that allowed for the exploration of wells at depths of up to 5,000 meters, crossing layers of salt and operating in waters greater than 2,000 meters.
The evolution of offshore production in Brazil is the result of decades of research, technological development, and dedication, establishing the country as a global reference in deepwater oil exploration.
To see an example of a “pump horse” in operation, check out the video below:
Há uma frase que diz: Nós subimos uma escada com degraus colocados por outros. Foi está simples iniciativa que impulsionou nosso país para explorar no mar e a fim de tornar-se um doa 7 maiores produtores do mundo.
Este campo é Dom João na Baía de Todos os Santos. Não pode ser chamado de offshore. É um campo terrestre que avança para o mar com lâmina d’água de poucos metros.