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Discover Petrobras’ Plan to Increase Its Production with 14 New FPSOs from Petrobras by 2028, Focusing on the Búzios, Mero, and Jubarte Fields, and the Challenges of This Undertaking
The backbone of this strategy is the entry into operation of 14 new FPSOs from Petrobras during the 2024-2028 period. The goal is to achieve a production of 3.2 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed), consolidating the importance of the pre-salt and the company’s role in the global energy landscape.
Petrobras is implementing an ambitious strategy to expand its exploration and production (E&P) offshore, with a central focus on deploying a new and robust fleet of floating production, storage, and offloading units (FPSOs). This plan is the cornerstone of its Strategic Plan 2024-2028 and aims for a significant increase in production, primarily from the pre-salt.
The New Generation of Petrobras in Numbers and Goals
Petrobras’ Strategic Plan 2024-2028+ projects a total investment of US$ 102 billion, with US$ 73 billion allocated to E&P, approximately 67% of which is for the pre-salt. The subsequent plan (PE 2025-2029) raised the E&P CAPEX to US$ 77.3 billion. The target is to reach 3.2 million boed by 2028/2029, with the pre-salt accounting for 79% of the production.
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Offshore industrial demand in Macaé skyrockets with the recovery of oil and gas and could grow by up to 396% by 2026 in the Campos Basin.
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Offshore industrial demand in Macaé surges with the recovery of oil and gas and could grow by up to 396% by 2026 in the Campos Basin.
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Brazilian giant expands borders in the Southeast: Petrobras confirms new oil discovery in ultra-deep waters in the pre-salt of the Campos Basin.
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Alert in the global energy market: Severe tropical cyclone hits the coast and disrupts gas production at major plants in Australia, threatening global supply.
To achieve this, the plan foresees the entry into operation of 14 new FPSOs from Petrobras between 2024 and 2028, with ten already contracted. The strategy focuses on profitable assets, with an average breakeven price of Brent between US$ 25 and US$ 28 per barrel for E&P projects.
Details of the Main FPSOs from Petrobras Under Development
Several units make up this new fleet of FPSOs from Petrobras. The FPSO Maria Quitéria, in the Jubarte field, and the FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão, in Mero 4, had their productions initiated ahead of schedule in October 2024 and May 2025, respectively.
The FPSO Almirante Tamandaré, in Búzios 7, with a capacity of 225 thousand barrels per day (kbpd), began operations in February 2025, becoming the largest producing unit in Brazil. The FPSO Sepetiba (P-78), in Mero 2, with 180 kbpd, has also been operational since late 2023/early 2024.
However, some projects face challenges. The FPSO P-80 (Búzios 9), with a capacity of 225 kbpd, has its schedule delayed by a year, to 2027. The revitalization of Albacora (P-88) is over a decade overdue, with a new bidding predicted for after 2030.
Where the New FPSOs Will Operate
Petrobras’ growth strategy is strongly anchored in the accelerated development of its most prolific fields in the pre-salt.
Búzios Field: Located in the Santos Basin, it is the largest deepwater oil field in the world. Petrobras projects Búzios to exceed 2 million boed by 2030. In addition to the already operational Almirante Tamandaré, the FPSOs P-79 (180 kbpd), P-80 (225 kbpd), P-82 (225 kbpd), and P-83 (225 kbpd) are planned for Búzios.
Mero Field: Also in the Santos Basin, it is the third largest in the pre-salt. With the entry of Alexandre de Gusmão (Mero-4, 180 kbpd), joining the Pioneiro de Libra, Guanabara (Mero-1), Sepetiba (Mero-2), and Marechal Duque de Caxias (Mero-3), the installed capacity in Mero will reach 770,000 bpd.
Jubarte Field (Whale Park): In the pre-salt of the Campos Basin, the FPSO Maria Quitéria (100 kbpd) started production in October 2024, complementing existing production and diversifying Petrobras’ portfolio.
Technology and Sustainability, the Innovation Embedded in the FPSOs from Petrobras
The new FPSOs from Petrobras incorporate advanced technologies to operate in ultra-deep waters and mitigate environmental impacts. They highlight:
CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage): Units like P-78, P-80, and P-83 are designed to reinject CO₂ into reservoirs.
Closed Flare System: Increases gas utilization and prevents its burning, implemented in P-80 and Almirante Tamandaré.
HISEP® (High-Pressure Separation): Technology patented by Petrobras for separation and reinjection of CO₂ at the seabed, increasing productivity. The FPSO Marechal Duque de Caxias will be a pioneer in its use from 2028.
All Electric FPSOs: New projects aim to optimize energy consumption and reduce emissions.
Petrobras aims to eliminate routine flaring by 2030 and has set greenhouse gas intensity targets of 15 kgCO₂e/boe by 2025.
The Future of Production with FPSOs
The expansion of the FPSOs from Petrobras fleet is vital for its production targets and Brazil’s energy security. However, it faces risks such as the execution of multiple complex projects, cost inflation in the supply chain, and oil price volatility.
Contracting strategies vary between EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), chartering, and BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer), the latter adopted for the new bidding of Albacora. The success of this monumental undertaking depends on the effective management of these risks and the timely delivery of the new FPSOs from Petrobras, especially those intended for Búzios and Mero.
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