Crack in FPSO hull causes oil spill offshore Brazil

Japanese FPSO provider MODEC has reported an oil spill from an FPSO located on the Petrobras-operated Espadarte field offshore Brazil. 

On Friday, August 23, 2019, MODEC informed Petrobras that, after inspection at the external tanks, cracks were identified at the hull of FPSO Cidade do Rio de Janeiro, at the Espadarte field, in the Campos Basin, 130 km off the coast of Brazil.

According to MODEC’s statement on Tuesday, during the previous weekend, 1.2 cubic meter of residual oil leaked from the unit, which was identified and recovered. This Monday, August 26, 2019, in a new overflight, the presence of oil at sea was perceived, in an estimated amount of 6.6 cubic meters.

Seven vessels were at location on Monday in charge of recovery and dispersion, aside from four support vessels and one chopper for overflights. The increase on the extension of the cracks was identified since the beginning of the event, yet the vessel continues to be with stable positioning and safe conditions, under permanent monitoring of MODEC and Petrobras, the FPSO operator stated.

FPSO Cidade do Rio de Janeiro is out of production since last year and in departure procedure from Espadarte location. All crew members were disembarked over the period between August 24 and 26, 2019 and arrived safely at shore.

This is not the first oil spill to happen on the Espadarte field this year. Namely, oil also spilled from the FPSO Cidade de Rio de Janeiro in January 2019.