en.Wedoany.com Reported - Petrobras has launched the second tender for a new platform at the Albacora field, this time adopting a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. The winning bidder will operate the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit for a specified period before transferring operational responsibility to Petrobras. This contract model adjustment aims to share project risks while leveraging private sector operational expertise.
A total of 11 companies have been prequalified, including: Japan's MODEC; Netherlands' SBM Offshore; Bermuda's BW Offshore; Malaysia's Yinson and MISC; Italy's Saipem; India's Shapoorji Pallonji; a consortium of China's CNOOC Energy Technology and COOEC; and a consortium of Brazil's Ocyan and Altera Infrastructure.
The platform is planned for installation in waters 670 meters deep, with a daily production capacity of 120,000 barrels of oil and a design life of at least 20 years. The FPSO will receive output from subsea wells and be equipped with processing facilities for fluid treatment, stabilization, and separation of produced water and natural gas. Treated liquids will be metered, stored in cargo tanks, and transferred to shuttle tankers. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide in the produced gas will be compressed, dehydrated, and treated, with part used as fuel gas and for enhanced oil recovery, and the remainder exported to shore. The project involves a subsea layout of up to 25 wells, including 15 production wells and 10 water injection wells. The platform's local content requirement is 20%, consistent with the indicator adopted for the zero-round area. The platform is expected to begin operations only after 2030.
This is Petrobras' second tender for a new platform at the Albacora field. The first tender, using a leasing model, received bids from BW Offshore and Ocyan but ultimately failed to reach a price agreement. Located approximately 110 kilometers east of São Tomé Cape, off the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro state, the Albacora field is currently produced via the semi-submersible P-25 platform and the FPSO-type P-31 platform. The new platform will be used to develop the Forno reservoir in the pre-salt area south of the field.
