Baker Hughes has signed contracts with Petrobras to provide 77 kilometers of flexible pipe systems to be deployed in Brazil’s pre-salt fields.
The multi-year project, signed on October 15, 2024, following an open tender, includes risers and flowlines for hydrocarbon production, as well as associated gas and water injections with support for equipment storage, maintenance, and installation.
The delivery is scheduled to begin in mid-2026, with the equipment set to be utilized across Petrobras’ Búzios, Libra, Berbigão, Sururu, and Sépia fields.
These flexible pipe systems are designed to address the critical issue of stress-induced corrosion cracking from CO2 (SCC-CO2), a common challenge in pre-salt fields with high concentrations of the gas.
According to Baker Hughes, the flexible pipes have demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating this issue, which can arise from the reinjection of gas into wells to reduce flaring and enhance oil recovery.
“Brazil’s Santos Basin contains incredible potential to help power Latin America into the future,” said Amerino Gatti, executive vice president, Oilfield Services & Equipment at Baker Hughes.
“Operating in deep waters with high CO2 concentrations presents unique challenges. Baker Hughes’ combination of industry-leading subsea technology and engineering, expertise in offshore operations, and extensive experience in the region will assist Petrobras to unlock and develop this potential, delivering these vital resources safely and efficiently,” Gatti added.
The flexible pipe system will be manufactured at the company’s plant in Niteroi, Brazil as Baker Hughes said.
Baker Hughes has been involved in the development of Brazil’s offshore oil and gas fields for decades. Throughout 2024, the company has announced several agreements with Petrobras, including additional contracts for 69.1 kilometers of flexible pipe systems and associated services in the third quarter.
Other awards have included integrated well construction services in the Búzios field and integrated solutions for workover and plug and abandonment services across Petrobras’ pre-salt and post-salt fields.
