Petrobras inaugurates 3D Printing Laboratory for the manufacture of parts, equipment and tools to support operation and maintenance in refineries and oil exploration and production platforms

The focus of LAB i3D's work is to serve platforms with parts that are parts of components not sold separately, obsolete or in need of improvements

Petrobras informed in a material fact that it inaugurated, on November 30, its 3D Printing Laboratory (LAB i3D) of the Espírito Santo Exploration and Production Business Unit (UN-ES). It will be possible to create objects directly from the computer, using plastic as raw material.

According to Petrobras, the new space also seeks to support the platforms in the creation of 3D models, offering a digital catalog of parts, electronic simulations and the documents necessary for managing changes in the application of components.

3D printing laboratory will support Petrobras Refineries and 15 platforms in the Roncador, Jubarte, Albacora, Barracuda, Búzios, Marlim Sul, Marlim and Tupi fields

The focus of LABi 3D's work is to serve platforms with parts that are parts of components not sold separately, obsolete or in need of improvement, according to specific demands.

BABY Items on Mercado Livre

In addition, it will be possible to develop templates and tools to support operation and maintenance. An example of the application of objects printed in LABi 3D was the creation of an air conditioning diffuser with a new concept, solving a problem in directing air to cabins and platform rooms.

Currently, the lab supports 15 platforms from the fields of Roncador, Jubarte, Albacora, Barracuda, Búzios, Marlim Sul, Marlim and Tupi. Petrobras' refineries are also starting to be served by LABi 3D.

Project started aboard the P-58 in conversations in the corridor and in the workshops

Born aboard the P-58, in the hallway conversations and workshops, the project started work in 2019. Supported by leadership, the equipment was purchased and in a short time a 3D printing application routine was established to support maintenance.

By sharing this experience, several units were also able to start their tests, contributing to an important chapter in the company's Digital Transformation.

Recently, the LABi 3D team, professionals from the P-58, the Petrobras Research Center and Senai/Joinville managed to manufacture a metal part for an air compressor, solving an operational problem in just six days, while the average supply time for this component would be 218 days. “In the event of a stoppage of this equipment, in a few minutes the compressed air is shut off, leading to the gradual closure of the wells until the platform production stops”, explains Marcos Fabio Pereira, maintenance supervisor at P-58.