Libra Subsea Achievements and Future Challenges

Melo, Ricardo Toneto de; Santos, Tadeu Milão dos; Valença, Cláudio J. G. M.; Buk, Leonidio; Pereira, Rafael Merenda; Passarelli, Fabio Menezes; Hoelz, Fabio Rocha

doi:10.4043/29235-ms

Day 1 Mon, May 06, 2019 2019

DOI: 10.4043/29235-ms

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Libra Subsea Achievements and Future Challenges

Ricardo Toneto de Melo

Tadeu Milão dos Santos

Cláudio J. G. M. Valença

et al.

Abstract: The paper uses a case study approach to present the challenges to develop a large and thick oil carbonate reservoir, full of opportunities but also of uncertainties. Additionally, Libra block development is under a Production Sharing Contract that was awarded to a Consortium where Petrobras is the operator in partnership with Shell, Total, CNOOC Limited and CNPC. This paper will present the main subsea technological achievements made during the execution of the Libra Extended Well Test (EWT) Project so far and… Show more

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Development of Deepwater Fields in South America – Available Technologies and Innovative Initiatives

Aggarwal

Carneiro

2019

Day 2 Wed, October 30, 2019

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Offshore industry has about three decades of experience with the development and deployment of floating and subsea technologies in deep (> 500 m) and ultra-deep (> 1,500 m) waters. Most of the ultra-deep water experience has been gained from fields in the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, and West of Africa. Significant exploration and development activities undergoing in deep and ultra-deep waters of more than eight South American countries require low cost solutions to enable their development. This Panel will present and discuss the innovative initiatives undertaken by the industry for further development of solutions and technologies for deepwater production facilities (floating and subsea units, risers, umbilicals, flowlines and pipelines) to reduce their capital and operating costs. The innovative initiatives range from variations in the design and execution plans to qualification of specific new technologies. The digitalization of these facilities is also providing means to further reduce capital and operating costs and enhance productivity, safety, and reduce environmental impact. In addition, the potential value from renewable energy to subsea and field operations is being evaluated. These initiatives are in various stages of development and some are being implemented in deepwater fields in Brazil and Guyana. Several of these innovative technology initiatives will go from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 to 7 in South American fields after operating for more than 3 years.

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Development of Deepwater Fields in South America – Available Technologies and Innovative Initiatives

Aggarwal

Carneiro

2019

Day 2 Wed, October 30, 2019

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Optimization Applied to Buzios Flexible Riser Systems and Subsea Layout

Gasparetto

Hernalsteens

Britto

et al. 2021

Day 1 Mon, August 16, 2021

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Buzios is a super-giant ultra-deep-water pre-salt oil and gas field located in the Santos Basin off Brazil's Southeastern coast. There are four production systems already installed in the field. Designed to use flexible pipes to tie back the production and injection wells to the FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading), these systems have taken advantage from several lessons learned in the previous projects installed by Petrobras in Santos Basin pre-salt areas since 2010. This knowledge, combined with advances in flexible pipe technology, use of long-term contracts and early engagement with suppliers, made it possible to optimize the field development, minimizing the risks and reducing the capital expenditure (CAPEX) initially planned. This paper presents the first four Buzios subsea system developments, highlighting some of the technological achievements applied in the field, as the first wide application of 8" Internal Diameter (ID) flexible production pipes for ultra-deep water, leading to faster ramp-ups and higher production flowrates. It describes how the supply chain strategy provided flexibility to cover the remaining project uncertainties, and reports the optimizations carried out in flexible riser systems and subsea layouts. The flexible risers, usually installed in lazy wave configurations at such water depths, were optimized reducing the total buoyancy necessary. For water injection and service lines, the buoyancy modules were completely removed, and thus the lines were installed in a free-hanging configuration. Riser configuration optimizations promoted a drop of around 25% on total riser CAPEX and allowed the riser anchor position to be placed closer to the floating production unit, promoting opportunities for reducing the subsea tieback lengths. Standardization of pipe specifications and the riser configurations allowed the projects to exchange the lines, increasing flexibility and avoiding riser interference in a scenario with multiple suppliers. Furthermore, Buzios was the first ultra-deep-water project to install a flexible line, riser, and flowline, with fully Controlled Annulus Solution (CAS). This system, developed by TechnipFMC, allows pipe integrity management from the topside, which reduces subsea inspections. As an outcome of the technological improvements and the optimizations applied to the Buzios subsea system, a vast reduction in subsea CAPEX it was achieved, with a swift production ramp-up.

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Mero Field: Subsea Development Challenges

Buk,

Pereira,

Valença

et al. 2023

Day 2 Wed, October 25, 2023

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This paper will present the technological achievements in the subsea scope of the Mero field development, which was recognized with the Distinguished Achievement Award by OTC Brazil in 2019. Mero is the third largest Pre-Salt field, being the first one developed under a Production Sharing Contract that was awarded by Libra Consortium in 2013, where Petrobras (38,6%) is the operator in partnership with Shell Brasil (19,3%), Total (19,3%), CNOOC (9,65%) and CNPC (9,65%). The Consortium also has the participation of the Brazilian state-owned company Pré-Sal Petróleo - PPSA (3,5%). The paper will detail the subsea system development for the Mero field and how the Mero EPS (Early Production System) operation influenced the final configuration for all Mero Projects. This paper will also present the technical challenges that had to be overcome to successfully start the production through EPS and Mero 1 Projects. This includes various new solutions for Brazilian Pre-Salt and offshore industry. The Mero 1 development has proved to be a success with the achievement of the highest oil production flowrate per FPSO (250,8 kboepd)in Brazil in early 2023. Its subsea architecture has been considered and applied not only for the next Mero Projects, but also for future Petrobras Pre-Salt Projects. ln addition, the paper will introduce the new technologies that Petrobras and its Partners are developing together with suppliers, to overcome the future challenges of the field. This paper will contribute to the offshore industry by sharing the experiences and innovative technologies adopted in the subsea system for this complex Pre-Salt development.

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Libra Subsea Achievements and Future Challenges

Cited by 3 publications

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Development of Deepwater Fields in South America – Available Technologies and Innovative Initiatives

Development of Deepwater Fields in South America – Available Technologies and Innovative Initiatives

Optimization Applied to Buzios Flexible Riser Systems and Subsea Layout

Mero Field: Subsea Development Challenges

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