UK firm secures its largest ever deal for Petrobras field

UK-based Tracerco has secured multi-million-pound worth of contracts in Brazil, including the largest project the company has ever undertaken. 

According to Tracerco, the deal, secured with TechnipFMC, involves delivering Tracerco Profiler measurement and control solutions for Petrobras’ Mero 3 High-Pressure Separator (HISEP) pilot project in the Brazilian pre-salt oil region.

The HISEP project aims to separate extracted oil and CO2-rich gas subsea, with the gas reinjected into the reservoir to cut greenhouse gas emissions intensity. Tracerco said that it reengineered its proprietary Profiler technology, used in oil and gas separation systems, to operate in this challenging subsea environment. 

The instrument is said to provide real-time, high-resolution measurements of water, oil, and gas phases, enabling optimized throughput, reduced chemical usage, and minimized maintenance requirements.

“Having a global presence has ensured that by working with the contractor TechnipFMC via our Bergen and Rio offices, we are able to deliver bespoke subsea technology designed and engineered in the Tees Valley to this major Brazilian oil and gas project,” said Lee Robins, Business Unit Director for Instrumentation at Tracerco. 

“This is an exciting time for the company, and we look forward to not only making a difference to the Brazilian energy industry, but also locally in the north-east of England.”

Tracerco’s Profiler is said to be the only subsea-qualified separator liquid level, oil/water interface level, and process control measurement system. According to the company, over 750 units have been installed globally, each tailored to customer specifications and process conditions. The contract will create up to 10 new jobs in Tees Valley, underscoring the project’s local economic impact. 

“This contract shows the value we can bring customers across the world, regardless of the size of their project,” Robins added. 

“At Tracerco, we are committed to conducting business in a responsible and sustainable manner. It is great to be involved in such a global revolutionary project that will deliver sustainable benefits that helps to build a future that resonates with progress and respect for our planet.”

The HISEP project is part of the Mero field development, located 180 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro in the Brazilian pre-salt oil region. 

Mero fields typically contain a 50-50 mix of oil and CO2-rich gas. The unitized field is operated by Petrobras (38.6%), with partners Shell Brasil (19.3%), TotalEnergies (19.3%), CNPC (9.65%), CNOOC (9.65%), and Pré-Sal Petróleo (3.5%), representing the Brazilian government in the non-contracted area.

In January 2024, Tracerco secured a million-dollar contract in the Gulf of Mexico, under which the company would deploy its pipeline inspection technology, Discovery, across a number of oil and gas platforms in the region.