Offshore staff

RIO DE JANEIRO – Shell Brasil Ltda has signed a $30-million three-year frame agreement with GE Oil & Gas for delivery of 26 subsea wellhead systems and associated services.

GE says it will supply 13 MS-700 Slimbore and 13 MS-700 deepwater high capacity (DWHC) systems.

Shell Brasil will be able to leverage lessons learned and from earlier applications of the same MS-700 Slimbore technology. GE had a similar contract with Shell Brasil from 2007-2010 for the supply of wellhead systems for the BC-10 Phase I.

Much of the equipment will be manufactured at GE’s facility in Jandira, São Paulo state, Brazil. Shipments are expected to start by September 2011.

Underscoring its commitment to Brazil, GE says it plans to invest $500 million to expand its operations in the country, including the establishment of a multi-disciplinary Research and Development Center in Rio de Janeiro. Among the focus areas for the new center will be advanced technologies for the oil and gas sector.

06/14/2011