More than two months ahead of schedule, Petrobras started operating its fifth floating unit in the Mero field, located in the Santos basin, boosting the field’s installed capacity by 31%.
The platform FPSO Alexandre de Gusmãoleased to SBM Offshore under a 22.5-year contract, began operations on May 24 and is already producing in ultra-deep waters of the Brazilian pre-salt. Its processing capacity reaches 180,000 barrels of oil per day and allows the compression and reinjection of up to 12 million m3 of gas per day.
State-of-the-art subsea infrastructure
The new unit is connected to twelve wells via an advanced subsea network. Five of these wells are intended for extraction of crude oil, while six otherswhile six others alternate between gas and water injection. One additional well is convertible, allowing its initial operation as an oil producer and its future function as a gas injector.
These systems are equipped with “intelligent completion” technology, which enables remote modulation of production and injection intervals, optimizing operational efficiency and reducing risks.
FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão and sustainability
The Alexandre de Gusmão unit is also prepared to operate with the HISEP (High Pressure Separator) system, a technology developed by Petrobras that is in the qualification phase. This system makes it possible to separate the associated gas rich in CO₂ directly on the seabed, facilitating its reinjection and contributing to emissions mitigation.
Located 190 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro and at a depth of 2,100 meters, the Mero field is operated by a consortium led by Petrobras (38.6%), together with Shell Brasil, TotalEnergies, CNPC, CNOOC and PPSA, the latter as representative of the Brazilian government.
The Alexandre de Gusmão joins the already operational Pioneiro de Libra, Guanabara, Sepetiba and Marechal Duque de Caxias units. Marechal Duque de Caxiasconsolidating the continued progress of the Mero field development plan.
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Source and photo: Petrobras
