SBM to build, operate two FPSOs for Petrobras’ SEAP projects offshore Brazil
Petrobras has signed contracts with SBM Offshore for the construction of two oil and gas production FPSOs for the Sergipe Deepwater (SEAP) project offshore northeast Brazil.
Under the Build, Operate and Transfer model, Petrobras will be the owner of both FPSOs, with SBM Offshore responsible for the design, construction and assembly as well as subsequent offshore operation and maintenance over an initial 6.5-year period.
Petrobras expects to invest more than R$60 billion (US$11.9 billion) in the two projects that it anticipates will produce more than 1 Bboe.
In addition, the development will establish a new oil and gas production frontier in the northeast region.
Both vessels will be stationed in the offshore Sergipe-Alagoas Basin. The design of both the SEAP-I and SEAP-II is based on SBM Offshore’s Fast4Ward program, with the vessels featuring the company’s 11th and 12th newbuild, multi-purpose floater hulls, SBM reported.
SEAP II project
The SEAP II project, 80 km offshore in the BM SEAL 4, BM SEAL 4A and BM SEAL 10 concessions, will develop reservoirs with light oil and non-associated gas with low contaminant content.
Petrobras operates BM‑SEAL‑4 with a 75% interest, in partnership with ONGC Campos Limitada (25%), and it has a 100% operated position in BM‑SEAL‑4A and BM‑SEAL‑10.
The P-87 FPSO will be designed to produce 120,000 bbl/d of oil with associated gas treatment capacity of 425 MMcf/d and water injection at up to 120,000 bbl/d. It will be spread-moored in about 2,500 m of water.
SBM expects to deliver the vessel in 2030, followed by first exports in 2031.
SEAP I project
The SEAP I project will also produce light oil and non-associated gas with low contaminants in the BM‑SEAL‑11 and BM‑SEAL‑10 concessions, 100 km offshore. Petrobras operates BM‑SEAL‑11 (60%), in partnership with IBV Brasil Petróleo (40%), and t holds a 100% stake in BM‑SEAL‑10.
In this case, the P-81 FPSO will be designed to deliver 120,000 bbl/d of oil, with associated gas treatment of 355 MMcf/d and water injection of up to 200,000 bbl/d. This vessel should be delivered in 2031 and spread moored in 2,500 m water depth at a site 100 km offshore.
Both FPSOs will be connected to a production offloading gas pipeline about 134 km long, of which 111 km will be offshore and 23 km onshore.
Aside from increasing domestic supplies of gas, the project will minimize flaring and reinjection offshore, Petrobras reported.
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About the Author
Jeremy Beckman
Editor, Europe
Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.