PetroRio inaugurates gas power generation system at the Polvo and Tubarao Martelo fields

PetroRio inaugurated a new power generation system at FPSO Bravo, which is installed in the Polvo and Tubarão Martelo fields, in the Campos Basin. The production of electricity at the unit will be made with natural gas produced at the complex, replacing diesel. The novelty promises to bring environmental gains, with reductions in the burning of gas in the unit’s flare and in the diesel consumption that was used on the platforms, in addition to reducing the logistics involved in the delivery of this fuel.

According to the oil company, the reduction in direct consumption of diesel will be around 60,000 liters per day. In addition, PetroRio claims that cutting monthly CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions will be the equivalent of planting 30,000 trees. Modification of the gas treatment and compression module occurred without the need for production stop. The initiative was only possible thanks to the tieback between the two fields, completed in July 2021.

“With the tieback between Polvo and Tubarão Martelo, PetroRio consolidated the electricity generation of the two fields into a single FPSO, Bravo. Together, the fields used to consume around 80,000 liters of diesel per day. With the use of gas produced in the field, which was not used before, the expectation is to supply 80% of this demand with great environmental and financial benefits”, said the director of Operations of the company, Francilmar Fernandes.

The executive also added that this adaptation was the last stage of the project to interconnect the Polvo and Tubarão Martelo fields. After the tieback between the fields and the use of natural gas for energy generation, the oil company was able to meet the goals of the so-called “Projeto Fênix”, launched by PetroRio in July 2021. As a result, the company has already reduced the lifting cost to less than US$ 12 per barrel.

The decrease in the costs allows more oil to be recovered in the reservoirs over a longer period and directly impacts the significant reduction of emissions. The economic life of both assets was extended until 2037, representing an extension of more than 15 years and an increase of 40 million barrels to the Campo de Polvo reserve. “It will be another 15 years generating jobs and royalties for the states and municipalities involved”, concluded Fernandes.