Wedoany.com Report-May 26, Petrobras and its Libra block partners have successfully started oil production at Mero-4, the fourth phase of the Mero field in Brazil’s Santos Basin, using the Alexandre de Gusmão floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel. Operations began over two months ahead of schedule, marking a significant milestone for the project.

First oil produced from Mero-4 project through the PSO Alexandre de Gusmão.

The FPSO, chartered from SBM Offshore for 22.5 years, can produce 180,000 barrels of oil daily and compress and reinject 12 million cubic meters of gas each day. With the addition of Alexandre de Gusmão, the Mero field’s total production capacity has increased to 770,000 barrels per day. The field now operates five FPSOs, including Pioneiro de Libra, Guanabara, Sepetiba, and Marechal Duque de Caxias.

Renata Baruzzi, Petrobras’s engineering, technology, and innovation director, stated: “The entry into operation of another FPSO is strategic and represents the company’s effort to anticipate the deliveries of new production systems, in a sustainable and innovative way, contributing decisively to Petrobras’ results.” The early start underscores Petrobras’s focus on efficiency and sustainability.

Launched in August 2021, the Mero-4 project involves connecting 12 wells to the Alexandre de Gusmão platform through subsea infrastructure. This includes five oil-producing wells, six wells alternating between water and gas injection, and one convertible well shifting from oil production to gas injection. The project employs advanced technology to reinject associated gas into the reservoir, achieving zero routine flaring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The FPSO features Petrobras’s patented high-pressure separation (HISEP) technology, currently under qualification, which separates oil from CO₂-rich gas underwater for reinjection. This innovation enhances environmental performance by minimizing surface emissions and optimizing resource use.

The Mero field is operated by a consortium led by Petrobras, holding a 38.6% stake, with Shell Brasil and TotalEnergies each at 19.3%, CNPC and CNOOC at 9.65% each, and Pré-Sal Petróleo SA (PPSA) with a 3.5% share as contract manager. The project strengthens Brazil’s offshore oil production capacity while prioritizing sustainable practices, supporting both economic and environmental goals in the Santos Basin.