Petrobras keeps Baker Hughes busy with another order for flexible pipe systems

Brazil’s state-owned energy giant Petrobras has awarded additional contracts to energy technology company Baker Hughes for the delivery of flexible pipe systems and associated services across several pre-salt fields.

As part of an agreement signed on October 15 following an open tender, the multi-year project will see Baker Hughes provide 77 kilometers of flexible pipe systems, risers and flowlines for hydrocarbon production and associated gas and water injection with support for equipment storage, maintenance and installation.

Delivery is expected to begin in mid-2026 from the company’s manufacturing plant in Niteroi, Brazil. The equipment will be used across the Búzios, Libra, Berbigão, Sururu and Sépia fields.

According to Baker Hughes, the systems will also address the issue of stress-induced corrosion cracking from CO2 (SCC-CO2), which can affect flexible pipes in pre-salt fields with high concentrations of gas, aligning with Petrobras’ commitment to limiting CO2 emissions in its operations.

“Brazil’s Santos Basin contains incredible potential to help power Latin America into the future,” said Amerino Gatti, Executive Vice President, Oilfield Services & Equipment at Baker Hughes. “Operating in deep waters with high CO₂ concentrations presents unique challenges. Baker Hughes’ combination of industry-leading subsea technology and engineering, expertise in offshore operations, and extensive experience in the region will assist Petrobras to unlock and develop this potential, delivering these vital resources safely and efficiently.”

Throughout 2024, Baker Hughes announced a number of contracts with Petrobras, including additional contracts for 69.1 kilometers of flexible pipe systems and associated services in the third quarter. Other awards have included integrated well construction services in the Búzios field and integrated solutions for workover and plug and abandonment services across Petrobras’ pre-salt and post-salt fields.

Earlier this month Baker Hughes announced it had pooled resources with Spain’s energy giant Repsol to bring new artificial intelligence (AI) processes and workflows into play to unlock further improvements in the oil & gas production arena.