Well 9-SPS-77 is now online with a production rate of 33,000bpd, Petrobras announced. Another production well is set to start by the end of 1Q 2014.
Located in the Sapinhoá oil field, Block BM-S-9 of the Santos Basin presalt area, the well is in around 2118m of water. It was connected to FPSO Cidade de São Paulo 17 February 2014 through a “pioneering system” wherein the output pipeline riser is supported by a submerged buoy, anchored to the seabed and located at a depth of 240m, the Brazilian company said. Due to the design, Petrobras said that the riser support buoy is not affected by platform movements, and steel catenary risers are employed in some places.
This first of four buoys planned for the Santos Basin presalt fields was installed on 25 December 2013 and measures 40mx52m and weighs 1936tonnes. Eight 1828m steel tendons attach it to the seabed, with each fixed to one of four stakes in the seabed. The system was built by Subsea 7, who were awarded the three, ultra-deepwater US$30 million contracts in March 2013.
Of the remaining three buoys, one more is destined for Sapinhoá Field, and two are allocated to the neighboring Lula field. Lula’s initial buoy was installed 7 February. Petrobras said final buoy installations will be completed for Sapinhoá by the end of Q1 2014 and for Lula by the end of 2Q 2014.
Production is expected to rise and hit peak levels this year.
The FPSO Cidade de São Paulo commenced production in February 2013 and can process 120,000bo/d and operates on a 20-year lease.
Petorbas operates Sapinhoá Field (45%) in partnership with BG E&P Brasil Ltda (30%) and Repsol Sinopec Brasil S.A. (25%).
Image: Petrobras
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