Deep water production begins at newest FPSO in Brazil Santos Basin

 

P-66 FPSO sailing to its final destination. Image courtesy Petrobras.

 

Royal Dutch Shell plc, through its subsidiary BG E&P Brasil Ltda. (Shell) and consortium partners in Lula South, have begun deep-water production at the FPSO P-66, located in the Brazilian pre-salt of the Santos Basin. 

Positioned in 2,150-meter water depth, the P-66 can process up to 150 Mbpd of oil and 6 MMm³/d of natural gas. The unit is the first in a series of standardized vessels operated by Petrobras to begin production within the BM-S-11 block consortium, and the seventh to produce within the consortium overall.

“Achieving production at Lula South is an important accomplishment in the Santos Basin, and we recognize Petrobras’ delivery of this critical milestone,” said Andy Brown, Upstream Director for Shell. “The consortium has additional FPSOs in this series planned over the next 3 yr. Across Shell’s deep water business in Brazil, we’re investing in project, and our presence as Brazil’s second largest oil producer continues to grow.”

Shell has a 25% stake in the consortium developing the Lula field in the BM-S-11 block. Petrobras operates the field with a 65% interest, and Galp, through its subsidiary Petrogal Brasil, holds the remaining 10% interest. The P-66 is the 10th deep water FPSO in operation across Shell’s working interest in the pre-salt areas of Santos Basin. Shell operates two additional FPSOs offshore Brazil.

Shell’s deep water business also extends to the US Gulf of Mexico, Nigeria and Malaysia, and globally produces approximately 725 Mboe/d (thousands of barrels of oil equivalent per day). Production is expected to reach approximately 900 Mboe/d by the early 2020s, from already discovered, established areas.

 

 

 

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