The Brazilian state-owned oil and gas company Petrobras has announced the start of production from a new floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) deployed at the Búzios deepwater field, located in the pre-salt Santos Basin off Brazil. The FPSO Almirante Barroso has the capacity to produce up to 150 kb/d of oil and 6 mcm/d of gas.
The start of production marks the beginning of the fifth phase of exploitation of phase the Búzios oilfield, which has a current daily production hovering around 600 kb/d (equivalent to about 17% of Brazil’s national production). By 2025, when the FPSO Almirante Barroso will approach its maximum capacity and other units enter the project, the field's production is expected to reach close to 700 kb/d.
Búzios is currently the largest deepwater field in the world and the current development concept includes 11 platforms. Currently, six units are under construction (FPSO Almirante Tamandaré, P-78, P-79, P-80, P-82, and P-83). Petrobras is the operator of the Buzios field and holds an 88.99% share. The group has partnered with China’s CNOOC (holding 7.34%) and the CNPC Exploration & Development Company (CNODC, holding 3.67%).