Petrobras christens new FPSO

Offshore staff

SERGIPE, Brazil -- Petrobras christened its new production platform in the Piranema field, in Sergipe on Sept. 4. The Piranema FPSO is the first FPSO with a cylindrical hull design to be deployed for operation.

The platform's cylindrical shape affords it more stability in the sea because the waves circulate the vessel after hitting it, and frontal impact on it is not as intense as on conventional vessels, Petrobras says. The FPSO's hull is more versatile and stable, allowing for operations under more severe environmental conditions.

The Piranema platform is part of a technological cooperation agreement between Petrobras and Norwegian corporation Sevan Marine. The project will serve as a model for the Mono-BR, another round-hull floating platform Petrobras is developing to install in fields in Brazil and abroad, the company says.

Initially, the Piranema platform will produce 10,000 b/d of oil. Production could reach 30,000 b/d in 2008, Petrobras says.

In the first phase of the project, the platform will operate at a depth of 1,090 m (3,576 ft) and will serve as a hub for six wells. In the second phase, the platform will be moved south in the same field, where it will be anchored at a depth of 1,500 m (4,921 ft).

9/5/2007