The Alexandre de Gusmão floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit is now in Brazilian waters , heading to the Mero field in the Santos Basin to begin its commissioning phase. This achievement marks a key step in the expansion of Petrobras’ production capacity in the pre-salt region.
FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão boosts Mero’s growth
The Alexandre de Gusmão FPSO departed China in December 2024 after construction at the COSCO Shipping shipyard and was handed over to leasing partners SBM Offshore and Petrobras.
This unit has a processing capacity of 180,000 barrels of oil per day and compression of 12 million cubic meters of gas, which will increase the production of the Mero field by 31% , reaching 770,000 barrels per day.
Impact on the Santos Basin and strategic partners
Located in ultra-deep waters 180 kilometres off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, the Mero field already has four operational FPSO units: Pioneiro de Libra, Guanabara, Sepetiba and Marechal Duque de Caxias. The incorporation of the Alexandre de Gusmão FPSO strengthens the exploration and extraction strategy in the Brazilian pre-salt.
Petrobras leads this project with a 38.6% stake, in collaboration with Shell Brasil (19.3%), TotalEnergies (19.3%), CNOOC (9.65%), CNPC (9.65%) and Pré-Sal Petróleo SA (PPSA), which represents the Union in the non-contracted area (3.5%).
Expansion and modernization of the offshore sector
With the arrival of the Alexandre de Gusmão FPSO , Petrobras reinforces its commitment to the expansion of deepwater infrastructure, consolidating its leadership in offshore technology and hydrocarbon extraction in Brazil . The unit will enter into operation at the end of 2025, strengthening safety and efficiency in pre-salt production.
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Source and photo: Magda Chambriard
