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Vallourec Launches New Technology to Prevent Incrustations in Petrobras’ Offshore Oil Production Columns and Increase Efficiency in Exploration

Written by Hilton Libório
Published on 01/10/2025 at 16:30
Imagem aérea de um FPSO no oceano com os logotipos da Petrobras e Vallourec centralizados sobre um retângulo translúcido.
Vallourec lança nova tecnologia para evitar incrustações em colunas de produção de petróleo offshore da Petrobras e aumentar eficiência na exploração/ Imagem Ilustrativa
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Petrobras Begins Adopting Submagnetic Free Flow, a Vallourec Innovation That Promises to Reduce Scaling in Offshore Operations and Bring Greater Efficiency to Oil Production in Brazil

Vallourec has officially announced the supply of its new Submagnetic Free Flow technology to Petrobras, aiming to prevent inorganic scaling in the offshore oil production.

The contract includes more than 30 units that will be installed in Brazilian pre-salt fields, marking a significant advancement in the operational efficiency of deepwater oil exploration. The innovation promises to reduce costs, increase equipment lifespan, and improve the sustainability of operations.

Submagnetic Free Flow: The New Technology from Vallourec

The new Submagnetic Free Flow technology was developed by Vallourec in partnership with Petrobras to tackle one of the main challenges of offshore production: the formation of inorganic scaling in production tubes.

The system applies a magnetic field to the extracted fluid, altering the structure of the crystals and preventing them from adhering to the internal walls of the columns.

According to Jérôme Favre, Senior Vice President of OCTG, Services, and Accessories at Vallourec, the order reinforces the trend of adopting Submagnetic Free Flow as the standard solution in combating scaling in offshore production.

The technology is already considered a benchmark in the industry and is being widely adopted by Petrobras.

Operational Benefits for Offshore Oil Production

The application of Submagnetic Free Flow brings significant operational and economic advantages:

  • Cost Reduction in Well Cleaning
  • Lower Use of Chemical Inhibitors
  • Decrease in Production Downtime
  • Longer Equipment Lifespan
  • Improvement in Oil Production Efficiency

These gains are especially important for Petrobras, which operates in complex and challenging environments such as the pre-salt, where maintenance and efficiency are crucial for profitability.

The technology represents a strategic advancement for oil production in deep waters.

Rigorous Testing and Technical Validation by Vallourec

Before being adopted on a commercial scale, the new technology underwent a series of qualification tests conducted by Vallourec and validated by Petrobras. Among the tests performed are:

  • Vibration Tests
  • Shock Tests
  • Pressure Tests
  • Connection Tests According to API and ISO Standards

All tests were successfully passed, ensuring the reliability of the solution in extreme operating conditions.

Additionally, the devices have been designed to be easily integrated into existing production columns, without the need for major modifications to the infrastructure.

Strategic Partnership Between Vallourec and Petrobras

The collaboration between Vallourec and Petrobras is an example of synergy between industrial innovation and energy demand. Vallourec, with over 70 years of presence in Brazil and around 15,000 employees in 20 countries, is a global leader in premium tubular solutions for energy and industrial applications.

Petrobras, in turn, is a global reference in offshore oil exploration and has heavily invested in technologies that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of its operations.

This partnership reinforces the commitment of both companies to innovation and technical excellence, as well as contributing to the strengthening of the national industry.

Challenges of Offshore Oil Production

Offshore oil production faces challenges such as:

  • High Pressures and Temperatures
  • Formation of Scaling That Obstructs Pipes
  • Need for Frequent Interventions
  • High Costs for Maintenance and Unplanned Downtime

The introduction of Submagnetic Free Flow represents a technological leap in mitigating these issues, allowing production to occur with fewer interruptions and greater predictability.

The technology from Vallourec is a direct response to Petrobras’s operational needs.

Economic and Environmental Impact of the New Technology

Besides operational gains, the new technology contributes to:

  • Reduction in the Use of Harmful Chemicals
  • Lower Environmental Impact in Operations
  • Significant Savings in Maintenance and Unplanned Downtime
  • Greater Safety in Offshore Operations

These factors make Submagnetic Free Flow a solution aligned with the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals that have guided the strategies of Petrobras and other major global operators.

Data and Statistics on Oil Production in Brazil

According to data from the National Agency of Petroleum (ANP), Brazil produced about 3.8 million barrels of oil per day in 2025, with over 79% coming from offshore fields. The pre-salt represents the majority of this production, with technical challenges that require solutions such as those developed by Vallourec.

Studies indicate that scaling can significantly reduce the efficiency of a well, making preventive technologies essential for the economic sustainability of exploration. The adoption of technologies such as Submagnetic Free Flow is vital to maintain the competitiveness of the sector.

Vallourec Invests in Innovation for the Energy Sector

Vallourec has continuously invested in research and development, focusing on:

  • Intelligent and Safe Solutions
  • Economically Viable Technologies
  • Adaptation to Critical Customer Challenges
  • Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

Submagnetic Free Flow is a direct result of this strategy, consolidating the company as a reference in innovation in the energy sector. Innovation is the engine that drives Vallourec’s competitiveness.

YouTube Video

The Future of Offshore Exploration with Submagnetic Free Flow

The new technology from Vallourec represents a milestone in Petrobras’s offshore oil production. With operational, economic, and environmental gains, Submagnetic Free Flow positions itself as a strategic solution for the future of energy in Brazil and worldwide.

By adopting this innovation, Petrobras reinforces its commitment to technical excellence and sustainability, while Vallourec reaffirms its leadership in high-performance tubular solutions.

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Hilton Libório

Hilton Fonseca Liborio é redator, com experiência em produção de conteúdo digital e habilidade em SEO. Atua na criação de textos otimizados para diferentes públicos e plataformas, buscando unir qualidade, relevância e resultados. Especialista em Indústria Automotiva, Tecnologia, Carreiras, Energias Renováveis, Mineração e outros temas. Contato e sugestões de pauta: hiltonliborio44@gmail.com

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