As part of consolidating its largest producing field, Petrobras has began contracting for the construction of the FPSO Buzios 12 for installation in the Santos Basin, in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
P-91, which will be the 12th platform assigned to the Buzios field, will be connected to 16 wells, including eight producers and eight alternating water and gas injectors, with a capacity to produce 180,000 barrels of oil per day and 12 million cubic meters of natural gas per day.
The development of Buzios 12 aims to expand the field's production and add economic value, in partnership with CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation, 3.67%) and CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corp, 7.34%), with Petrobras as operator (88.99%).
Alongside systems to process and separate its own production, the new P-91 unit will also be capable of exporting gas produced on other platforms in the field that were not originally designed for gas export. The generated gas will be directed to the Boaventura Energy Complex in Itaborai via the Rota 3 gas pipeline until reaching the coast.
"Starting the contracting process for Búzios 12 on Petrobras' anniversary is symbolic: it demonstrates the strength of our innovative capacity and the work of generations of professionals committed to the country. This new unit expands the supply of natural gas to the Brazilian market, ensuring safe, competitive energy that's essential for a fair energy transition. The P-91 is designed with solutions to increase gas supply to the market, reduce emissions, and increase energy efficiency, reflecting Petrobras' raison d'être: generating wealth for Brazilian society responsibly and sustainably," said the company's president, Magda Chambriard.
Initiated by Petrobras, the Buzios 12 contracting process is driven by the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model, in which the contractor is responsible for the design, construction, assembly, and operation of the asset for an initial period defined in the contract. Operation will subsequently be transferred to Petrobras.
Interested companies will have 180 days from the publication of the Request for Proposals (SEP) to submit their proposals. The SEP establishes a minimum local content percentage of 25%.
Saipem has officially received the go-ahead from ExxonMobil Guyana Limited to commence full-scale operations for the Hammerhead oil field development project. This offshore venture, located around 1,000 metres deep in the Stabroek block off Guyana, is valued at approximately US$500mn.
The partnership between Saipem and ExxonMobil began earlier this year, when Saipem was granted a Limited Notice To Proceed (LNTP) on April 2, 2025. This initial step allowed Saipem to begin detailed engineering work and procure essential long-lead equipment. Now, following the necessary regulatory approvals and ExxonMobil’s final investment decision, Saipem is set to push ahead with the project, with offshore operations slated for 2028.
The scope of Saipem’s work will involve engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of key subsea infrastructure, including umbilical, riser, and flowline (SURF) structures. These components will be critical for the production facilities and the gas export system needed for the Hammerhead oil field. The project site is located approximately 200 km from the Guyanese coastline.
Saipem plans to deploy a range of specialised equipment for this ambitious project, including the Saipem FDS2 and the Shen Da, which is part of the company's chartered vessel fleet. The logistics will be managed through the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc. (VEHSI), ensuring local job creation and business opportunities in Guyana.
With this major milestone, Saipem solidifies its strategic partnership with ExxonMobil in Guyana, further strengthening its presence in the region. Saipem’s commitment is also reflected in its previous contracts with ExxonMobil for other projects in the Stabroek block, including Liza Phase 1 and 2, Payara, Yellowtail, UARU, and Whiptail.
The energy technology company has been awarded a significant deal from Petrobras to suppler up to 50 subsea tree systems and associated services to support offshore oil and gas production across multiple fields in Brazil.
Under the agreement, Baker Hughes will manufacture Petrobras’ pre-salt standard subsea tress, as well as subsea distribution units, in-line trees and vertical connection systems, to enable safe, reliable and efficient production on the seafloor.
In addition, topside control cabinets will provide monitoring and control of subsea equipment from floating production storage and offloading vessels.
Amerino Gatti, Executive Vice President of Oilfield Services & Equipment at Baker Hughes, said, “Baker Hughes has a history of innovation and operational excellence throughout our decades of collaboration with Petrobras. This agreement opens new opportunities to accelerate growth in Brazil’s offshore energy sector, and we look forward to helping Petrobras efficiently and responsibly develop the hydrocarbon resources that power Latin America.”
The modern subsea systems will enhance recovery in fields including Albacora, Jubarte and Barracuda-Caratinga. They will also be deployed in more recent pre-salt developments, including the Mero and Buzios fields, to optimise production in new wells.
Global technology company SLB has announced a major contract with Petrobras to provide services and technology for up to 35 ultra-deepwater wells in the Santos Basin.
The wells target large oil and gas reserves beneath thick salt layers located up to 2,000 metres below the surface.
As part of its project scope, SLB will deploy advanced electric completions technologies and digital solutions that deliver precise, real-time production intelligence and improved reservoir management to produce the hard-to-access resources.
Paul Sims, President of Production Systems, SLB, said, “This will help Petrobras drive greater reliability, system uptime and production performance in those fields – supporting Brazil’s energy security and economic growth ambitions.”
Work is scheduled to begin by mid-2026 and will feature advanced services and technology for SLB’s completions portfolio, including the Electris high-flow-rate interval control valves.
OceanPact has signed a four-year contract with Petrobras worth R$310mn to charter the Ilha de Santana platform supply vessel.
The ship will be used for logistics and emergency response support for Petrobras along the Brazilian coastline.
Earlier this year OceanPact announced new contracts with Petrobras worth R$650mnto charter three oil spill response vessels to be used in operations off the Brazilian coast to provide emergency readiness in the event of environmental incidents.
Currently, OceanPact has a fleet of 28 vessels made up of oil spill response, ROV support, platform supply, research, multi-purpose support and anchor handling tug supply vessels, as well as othering a largest inventory of offshore emergency response equipment in Latin America.
A comprehensive session on plug and abandonment (P&A) regulatory update will be delivered by Rafael Augusto do Couto Albuquerque, Rigs and Wells Coordinator, ANP at the soon to happening Offshore Well Intervention Latin America (OWI LATAM), to be held from 18-19 October 2022, in the city of Rio, Brazil.
In this particular session, the region’s premier well intervention conference will provide attendees with in-depth knowledge on analysing the current offshore well decommissioning situation in Brazil to best position businesses and service providers for upcoming P&A work.
Rafael will also shed light on ways to understand the challenges faced by new operators within the Brazilian market to best prepare for future projects. Attendees are also given in-depth knowledge of new intervention technologies and ways to validate the equipment so that the operators and service providers have the opportunity to optimise their toolbox.
OWI LATAM is poised to be the platform for discussion on the region’s offshore well intervention topics. The event features experts from international and regional companies, alongside regulatory bodies and service providers.
To know more about the full programme, click here: https://www.offsnet.com/latam/conference-brochure
Or reach out to the details below:
Rachael Brand
Project Manager
T: +44 (0) 20 3409 3041
Accelerating the company's growth in the Brazilian market, Archer has secured a two-year platform drilling and well intervention contract with Trident Energy do Brasil, amounting to US$20mn.
The contract also leaves scope for an extension by an additional one year upon mutual agreement. This new award supports Archer’s growth in the Brazilian market and underscores our commitment to high-quality, innovative solutions in the energy industry.
Under the contract, Archer will provide comprehensive platform drilling services, including well interventions for regulatory requirements, workover and drilling operations, well maintenance and drilling facilities engineering, to enhance Trident Energy’s offshore assets in Brazil. The platform drilling services are set to commence during second quarter this year, initially on the Pampo PP1 platform, which follows a period of rig reactivation and recertification managed through Archer’s Platform Operations group.
Dag Skindlo, CEO of Archer, said, “We are pleased to be chosen by Trident Energy as their partner for their drilling programme. We look forward to a successful collaboration with Trident Energy and are confident in our ability to contribute to the success of their offshore operations.
"This contract builds on our continued growth as we continue to strengthen our position in the growing energy market in Brazil. Our legacy in Brazil stretches back to 2010, when we commenced our work for Equinor on the Peregrino fields, followed by the successful establishment and growth of our well services division over the last few years. We are excited about the Brazilian market and how our core services offering can support the broad spectrum of client well programmes in Brazil.”
Energy technology company Baker Hughes has announced a significant order from Petrobras for workover and plug and abandonment (P&A) services in pre- and post-salt fields offshore Brazil.
The multi-year project is set to begin in H1 2025. Baker Hughes’ integrated solutions portfolio will aid with the deployment of wireline, coiled tubing, cementing, tubular running, wellbore intervention, fishing, and geosciences services across all of Petrobras’ offshore fields. The agreement also includes Baker Hughes’ remedial tool, completion fluids and production chemicals.
Maria Claudia Borras, Executive Vice President, Oilfield Services & Equipment at Baker Hughes, said, “Baker Hughes brings to this important project a comprehensive technology portfolio, a deep understanding of localisation, and a rich history of working in Brazil.
“Flawlessly integrating these capabilities will be essential to the success of the project. Our expertise in integrated solutions is the foundation for efficiently taking energy forward in Brazil.”
To support the project and help advance Latin America’s energy landscape, Baker Hughes will expand its Rio de Janeiro facilities to include coiled tubing and tubular running services to contribute to the growth of the Brazilian industry.
In a recent update on the SPS-88 well from the Bauna Project site in Brazil, Karoon Energy said that it will install a lightweight intervention vessel (LWIV) to start an intervention process so that the impacted well can be brought back to production.
Production from the SPS-88 well was first affected in November 2023 due to the formation of hydrates owing to an equipment failure in the gaslift dehydration unit of the floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) platform. Of the 12 subsea wells from the area that are joined to the Altera&Ocyan-operated FPSO via flowlines, two Patola wells were bought online last year. While the company closely worked with the FPSO operator, and had the faulty equipment successfully replaced and topsides issues resolved to remove the hydrates by circulating fluids, a mechanical blockage in the gas lift valve still obstructs the well's production capacity.
The obstruction has led the company to decide upon undertaking a 20-day intervention process by LWIV that will cost it approximately US$5-10mn. Subjected to engaging a LWIV and ancillary services and equipment, the company noted on its latest statement that this work will be initiated on the fourth quarter of 2024.
As highlighted on its statement, the intervention work will reflect on Karoon's production costs as it will swing between the range of US$10.5-15.0 per boe for the year from the previous US$9.0-14.0 per boe. While the Bauna FPSO comes with a storage capacity of 631,000 boe, the intervention plans has also led it to lower its last year production goals to stand around 9.0mn boe.
Offshore Network’s latest Global Well Intervention Report delves into the highly-prosperous global market and analyses the growth of operators utilising well intervention practices as the focus across the industry is shifting towards end-of-life activities and reaching environmental targets.
Assessments issued by Rystad Energy suggest that 17% of the world’s wells will undergo intervention processes by 2027, accounting for 260,000 wells globally. Spending within this market has already seen a surge and is likely to amount to US$58bn by the end of 2023, representing a significant growth of 20% since 2022. Climate consciousness has played a predominant role aiding the growth as mounting pressure is building across the industry to limit environmental footprints, with global companies seeking to make intervention an integral pillar within their business strategies.
In November 2023, COP28 witnessed Saudi Arabia launch its landmark Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC) wherein 50 companies who represent 40% of the global oil and gas market thus far have signed up to the global pact to speed up climate action initiatives and are committed to become net-zero by 2050. However, it is not just the call for fast environmental action that is driving the intervention market, but the global increase in energy demand is also playing a vital role. According to the International Energy Agency, annual oil demand is expected to grow from 285.7 mboe/d in 2021 to 351 mboe/d in 2045, with oil set to retain a 29% share in the energy mix.
Increasing production rates is still a major priority across the industry, and a factor that must be balanced with the growing need to minimise carbon footprints. Well intervention practices are proving a key avenue that companies across the globe are turning their heads to, from expediting resources from the more veteran regions like the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico to introducing more of these practices to ‘newer’ regions such as the Middle East and West Africa.
Expro, a provider of energy services, has expanded its portfolio of cost-effective, technology-enabled services and solutions within the subsea well access sector by completing the acquisition of PRT Offshore.
Based in Houston, US, PRT Offshore is the only company to provide a complete Hook-to-Hanger solution which enables comprehensive well completions, interventions and decommissioning services from surface to subsea.
In completing the acquisition, Expro expands its portfolio within the subsea well access sector in the North and Latin America. On the other hand, it will help accelerate the growth of PRT Offshore’s surface equipment offering in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific.
Michael Jardon, Expro Chief Executive Officer, remarked, “This is an exciting day for both PRT Offshore and Expro as we strengthen and expand our subsea well access technology offering while continuing to deliver value to our customers across the life of their wells.
“Our subsea well access portfolio has a well-established global footprint, especially in the ESSA and APAC regions. We believe this will offer significant growth opportunities for PRT Offshore in these attractive markets. Simultaneously, Expro plans to leverage PRT Offshore’s strong position in deepwater offshore well completion and intervention across the NLA region to provide integrated solutions to our customers.”
PRT Offshore President, Patrick Place, added, “We are looking forward to embarking on this next phase of our journey with Expro. This agreement is an exciting development for PRT Offshore as we integrate our technology, solutions, and expertise with Expro’s market-leading subsea well access portfolio.
“We are excited to continue our best-in-class responsiveness and service quality, as well as leverage the resources of a more robust platform. Our employees, vital and valued, are at the forefront of this transaction, and we are committed to fostering their growth and success in this new chapter. Building on the foundation we have created, this acquisition will open new opportunities for growth, innovation, and success for our company, customers, and employees.”
Expro has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the offshore services provider, PRT Offshore, in a bid to expand its portfolio of cost-effective technology services and solutions.
Upon closing of the transaction, which is expected in Q4 2023, Expro will enhance subsea services within the North and Latin America (NLA) region, and accelerate the growth of PRT Offshore’s surface equipment offering in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA) and Asia Pacific (APAC) regions.
Based in Houston, Texas, PRT Offshore is the only company to provide a complete Hook-to-Hanger solution, enabling comprehensive well intervention and decommissioning services from the surface to subsea. The unique system allows customers to access the wellbore safely and efficiently while reducing on-board personnel.
Michael Jardon, Expro Chief Executive Officer, said, “Expro is committed to investing in innovation and technology to differentiate our services and solutions offering. This strategic acquisition is exciting for both Expro and PRT Offshore as we strengthen and expand our subsea well access technology offering and continue to deliver value to our customers across the life of their wells.
“Our subsea well access portfolio has a strong and established international presence, particularly across ESSA and APAC. We believe this will provide significant opportunities to expand PRT Offshore’s presence in these attractive regions. Similarly, Expro will leverage PRT Offshore’s strong position in deepwater offshore well completion and intervention throughout the NLA region to deliver integrated customer solutions.”
Page 1 of 4
