FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão is on its way to Brazil and consolidates SBM Offshore presence in the country
23 December 2024
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The vessel, with a capacity to process 180,000 barrels per day, will be the eighth SBM Offshore unit operating in Brazilian waters
SBM Offshore has announced that the FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão has left the COSCO Shipping (Qidong) Offshore shipyard in China for Brazil. The vessel will be the eighth SBM Offshore unit to operate in the country and is headed to the Mero Field, located in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin, approximately 190 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. First oil is expected in 2025.
The floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit has a production capacity of 180,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and gas compression of 12 million cubic meters per day. The Mero Field is operated by Petrobras (38.6%) in partnership with Shell Brasil (19,3%), TotalEnergies (19.3%), CNPC (9.65%), CNOOC(9.65%), and PPSA (3.5%), representing the Government in the non-contracted area.
The journey of the Alexandre de Gusmão from China to Brazil follows the successful campaign to lift the upper modules. Integration and commissioning activities continue to progress as planned.
Last October, SBM Offshore also announced the arrival of the FPSO Almirante Tamandaré, which has a production capacity of 225,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and 12 million cubic meters of gas, being the first to operate in the country with the Sustainability-1 rating issued by Bureau Veritas, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, the Almirante Tamandaré operates at the Búzios Field in the Santos Basin, on the coastline of Rio de Janeiro. Together, the two FPSOs mark a new chapter in oil exploration and production, increasing national oil production and representing a significant step in SBM Offshore's operations in Brazil.
"Brazil is the company's primary market globally, where out of our total 16 FPSOs, by 2025, we will have eight of these units operating offshore Brazil. We are committed to investing in the Brazilian market and contributing to the development of the oil and gas sector. Currently, units designed and/or owned by SBM Offshore are responsible for about 17% of the country's national oil production and this number will increase to 30% with the new units operating" said Jonas Lobo, General Manager of SBM Offshore in Brazil.
After the successful EPC phase, the project team now hands over responsibility to SBM Offshore's Installation and Operations teams
FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão producing and on hire
27 May 2025
SBM Offshore has announced that FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão is formally on hire as of May 24, 2025 after achieving first oil and the completion of a 72-hour continuous production test leading to Final Acceptance.
FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão has a processing capacity of 180,000 barrels of oil and 12 million m3 of gas per day.
FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão is owned and operated by special purpose companies owned by affiliated companies of SBM Offshore (55%) and its partners (45%). The FPSO will operate under 22.5-year charter and operation services contracts with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras).
The FPSO is installed at the Mero unitized field located in the Santos Basin, approximately 160 kilometers offshore Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The Mero unitized field is operated by Petrobras (38.6%), in partnership with Shell Brasil (19.3%), TotalEnergies (19.3%), CNPC (9.65%), CNOOC (9.65%) and Pré-sal Petróleo S.A. – PPSA (3.5%), representing the government in the non-contracted area.
FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão follows the start-up of FPSO Almirante Tamandaré, which is on hire since February 16, 2025 and is the fifth Fast4Ward® FPSO entering operation.