25 Feb 2021

SBM Offshore is pleased to announce that it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) together with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) for a 26.25-year lease and operate contract for the FPSO Almirante Tamandaré, to be deployed at the Búzios field in the Santos Basin approximately 180 kilometres offshore Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

FPSO installation, and operation

Under the contract, SBM Offshore is responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and operation of the FPSO.

SBM Offshore will design and construct the FPSO Almirante Tamandaré using its industry-pioneering Fast4Ward® programme as it incorporates the Company’s new build, Multi-Purpose Floater (MPF) hull combined with several standardised topside modules. SBM Offshore’s fourth Fast4Ward® MPF hull has been allocated to this project.

Water injection capacity

The FPSO will be the largest oil-producing unit operating offshore Brazil and one of the largest in the world

The FPSO will be the largest oil-producing unit operating offshore Brazil and one of the largest in the world, with a daily processing capacity of 225,000 barrels of oil and 12 million m3 of gas.

Furthermore, the FPSO will have a water injection capacity of 250,000 barrels per day and a minimum storage capacity of 1.4 million barrels of crude oil.

The FPSO will be spread-moored in approximately 2,000 metres of water depth. Delivery of the FPSO is expected in the second half of 2024.

6th FPSO development

Bruno Chabas, CEO of SBM Offshore, commented, “SBM Offshore is proud to announce that Petrobras has awarded the Company the LOI for the 6th FPSO development in the world-class Búzios field in Brazil."

Bruno Chabas adds, "This award for one of the largest production units in the world demonstrates the trust placed in our ability to reliably deliver large-scale FPSOs and the agreement again confirms the significant value we bring to our clients with our industry-pioneering Fast4Ward® programme. SBM Offshore teams look forward to starting the execution phase to continue to deliver value to one of our key clients Petrobras."