US player lands work on FPSO pair destined for Petrobras’ oil field duo

U.S. science, technology, and engineering player KBR has been hired on engineering contracts by Singapore’s Seatrium to develop topside facilities for a pair of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units that are being designed for two pre-salt ultra-deepwater fields located in the prolific Santos Basin off the coast of Brazil.

The U.S. firm will provide Seatrium with detailed engineering services and technical engineering procurement support for the topsides of FPSOs which will be deployed at the Atapu and Sepia fields in the Santos Basin. The two vessels are the FPSO P-84 (Atapu) and the FPSO P-85 (Sepia), part of Petrobras‘ new generation of FPSO platforms.

While explaining that each of the FPSOs will be capable of producing 225,000 barrels of oil per day and compressing, treating, and re-injecting 10 million cubic meters of gas per day, KBR highlights that their design focuses on efficient power generation and optimized process plants to enhance energy efficiency in line with Petrobras’ all-electric concept.

In addition, the FPSOs are expected to integrate advanced technologies to minimize environmental impact, including zero routine flaring and venting, variable speed drives, and CO2 capture measures to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Both FPSOs, which are expected to start producing in 2029 at the second phase of Atapu and Sépia developments, will be built by Seatrium, due to an $8.15-billion contract for the two all-electric FPSOs that are forecast to cut GHG emissions footprint by 30% per barrel of oil produced.

The Atapu field has been producing since 2020 through the FPSO P-70, with a production capacity of 150,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd). Petrobras owns an interest of 65.7% in the Atapu field, in partnership with TotalEnergies (15%), Shell (16.7%), Petrogal (1.7%), and PPSA (0.9%).

The Sépia field has been producing since 2021 through the FPSO Carioca, with a production capacity of 180,000 bopd. The Brazilian heavyweight has an interest of 55.3% in the Sépia field, in partnership with TotalEnergies, (16.9%), Petronas (12.7%), QatarEnergy (12.7%), and Petrogal (2.4%).

Jay Ibrahim, KBR’s President of Sustainable Technology Solutions, commented: “KBR is pleased to support Seatrium in the development of the P-84 and P-85 FPSOs, further strengthening our partnership and shared commitment to deliver engineering excellence and sustainability.

“KBR will ensure that these units are developed with a strong focus on enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability, thereby contributing to the industry’s transition toward a more sustainable future.”

The company has secured multiple new assignments over the past few months, including a deal with Shell for its ammonia synthesis loop technology for the Blue Horizons low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia project in Duqm, Oman.