Petrobras and Framo sign a technological cooperation agreement
Petrobras and Norwegian outfit Framo Engineering (Framo) signed a technological cooperation agreement Thursday (09/17) to install, in the Campos Basin, an unprecedented submarine multiphase pumping system in Brazil. The prototype, which pumps multiphase fluids (oil, water and gas) from the well to the platform, will be the first helicon-axial-type pump to be installed in the world to exert differential pressure above 60 kgf/cm3.
The signing ceremony was held at Petrobras’ main office building, in Rio de Janeiro, and was attended by Petrobras’ Exploration & Production area’s executive manager for Production Engineering, Solange Guedes, and by Framo commercial director Jon Arve Svaeren.
In addition to emphasizing the importance of the project, during the ceremony Solange Guedes thanked Framo for its efforts and commitment. “Framo’s capabilities will be very important to help Petrobras,” she said. Jon Arve, meanwhile, highlighted that this is the first time this technology will be applied in Brazil and in deep waters. “This marks a new era. We are confident this new technology will be successful.” He also complimented Petrobras’ technological character. “You are very admired for applying new technologies successfully.”
The benefits afforded by submarine multiphase pumping include increased oil production, making production feasible for wells that are distant from the production platforms, the possible elimination of production platforms, and possible improvements in the reservoir’s recovery factor (i.e. how much oil can be lifted from the reservoir).
The device is expected to be installed in the second half of 2011, in the Barracuda field, and to operate in a satellite well of platform P-48. Water depth in the region is 1040 meters.
Photo://Petrobras
