Project Profile
Value: undisclosed
Location: approximately 68 miles (110 kilometres) from the coast of Brazil, Campos Basin, Brazil
Reserves: 428 MMbo
FPSO Capacity: up to 100,000 bopd and 2.5 MMcf/d (70,792 Mcm/d)
FPSO Storage Capacity: 1.6 million barrels of oil
Production: 45,000 bopd (peak in 2003)
Area: 177,916 acres (720 square kilometres)
Depth: water range of 2,461 to 4,921 feet (750 to 1,500 metres)
Start-up Year: August 2000
The Espadarte field is located approximately 68 miles (110 kilometres) from the coast of Brazil in the Campos Basin. The field lies in a water depth range of 2,461 to 4,921 feet (750 to 1,500 metres) and covers 177,916 acres (720 square kilometres). Initially discovered with the drilling of the 1-RJS-409 well in 1988, Espadarte\'s main block wasn\'t discovered until 1994. Owned and operated by Petrobras (100%), it is estimated that Espadarte holds 428 MMbo.
Field development for Espadarte comprises of an FPSO and subsea wells. The Espadarte FPSO processes up to 100,000 bopd and 2.5 MMcf/d (70,792 Mcm/d), and has a storage capacity of 1.6 million barrels of oil. The vessel is 1,050 feet (320 metres) long, 177 feet (54 metres) wide and 98 feet (30 meters) tall and is installed at a water depth of 4,429 feet (1,350 metres). The Espadarte FPSO is connected to nine subsea oil and natural gas wells and eight water-injecting wells. Originally the FPSO VI, the vessel was refurbished and upgraded into the Espadarte FPSO at Keppel Shipyard. The project was considered one of the most complex conversions and was completed in a record time of 10.5 months. The contract required Keppel to remove all the existing oil processing utility equipment, and then install the new oil, water-and gas-production and treatment facilities on the main deck. Keppel reconditioned the boilers for the gas and diesel oil system, installed a flare tower, a helideck, supply handling deck cranes, foundations, walkways, lighting, communications, and utilities for various deck facilities.
It has several technological innovations aboard, among which is a new oil-pumping system developed by Petrobras. The underwater centrifuge pumping system assists in lifting oil from the field to the platform and is installed externally to the well on the seafloor. Additionally, the internal turret, which stands at 98 feet (30 metres) high and 56 feet (17 metres) wide and has a gross weight of more than 1,000 tons (907 tonnes), accommodates up to 45 flexible risers, including umbilicals and electrical cables, ranging from 4 inches to 8 inches in diameter. The contract to design and install the topside processing system was awarded to Gusto. The layout was based on 17 separate modules, located along a central pipe crack system. The modules were interconnected to form the complete oil, gas and water processing facilities.
Production commenced from Espadarte in August 2000, peaking in 2003 at 45,000 bopd. Leased from MODEC International, the Espadarte FPSO will be located on the field for 16 years. A second phase of field development on the Espadarte field occurred in 2006. Nine wells (five producers and 4 injectors) are connected to a second FPSO, the Cidade do Rio de Janeiro. The FPSO\'s production went online in early January 2007.
Operators:
Petrobras: Operator with 100% interest
Contractors:
Keppel Corp: Contract to remove all the existing oil processing utility equipment, and then install the new oil, water-and gas-production and treatment facilities on the main deck. Keppel reconditioned the boilers for the gas and diesel oil system, installed a flare tower, a helideck, supply handling deck cranes, foundations, walkways, lighting, communications, and utilities for various deck facilities.
Gusto: Contract to design and install the topside processing system