Petrobras starts production at deepwater Sapinhoá field

Jan. 7, 2013
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. has initiated commercial production from the Sapinhoá field in block BM-S-9 in the presalt Santos basin through the Cidade de São Paulo FPSO.  

Offshore staff

RIO DE JANEIRO– Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. has initiated commercial production from the Sapinhoá field in block BM-S-9 in the presalt Santos basin through the Cidade de São Paulo FPSO.  

Well 1-SPS-55, the first one to be interconnected to the platform, can produce more than 25,000 b/d but will be restricted to 15,000 b/d until the commissioning of natural gas processing and reinjection systems, which is expected to last 90 days, is concluded. The produced oil, which is of intermediate density (30º API) and high quality, will be transported through tankers.

The gas not used for reinjection will be transported through the Sapinhoá-Lula-Mexilhão gas pipeline to the Monteiro Lobato Gas Treatment Unit (UTGCA), located in Caraguatatuba, on the coast of São Paulo state. Another 10 wells (five production and five injection) will be interconnected to the platform in the upcoming months. A peak production of 120,000 b/d is expected for the first half of 2014.

Total recoverable volume fromSapinhoá field is estimated at 2.1 Bboe.

The FPSO is anchored at a water depth of 2,140 m (7,020 ft), 310 km (193 mi) off the coast, and is capable of processing 120,000 b/d and 5 MMcm/d (177 MMcf/d). The Sapinhoá field development plan also calls for a second, FPSO,Cidade de Ilhabela, whose hull is in the conversion phase, and will have capacity for 150,000 b/d and 6 MMcm/d (212 MMcf/d). It is expected to go onstream in the second half of 2014.

Block BM-S-9 is operated by Petrobras (45%), in partnership with BG E&P Brasil Ltda (30%), and Repsol Sinopec Brasil S.A. (25%).

01/07/2013