Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) will evaluate pipeline-heating systems for use in development of deepwater Lapa oil field in the Santos basin offshore Brazil.
Wood Group Kenny has begun a conceptual engineering study for the state-owned company of two options: water-heated pipe-in-pipe and electrically trace-heated pipe-in-pipe.
Wood Group Kenny said use of either option would represent the first application of active heating pipeline technology in a presalt environment.
Its project will give Petrobras and partners in Block BM-S-9 a basis for evaluation of technical feasibility of a southwest area tieback on the field and determination of the most cost-effective technology.
Lapa field, formerly known as Carioca, is in 7,021 ft of water about 170 miles offshore (OGJ Online, Oct. 30, 2013). When it declared Carioca commercial last December, Petrobras estimated reserves at 459 MMboe and production start in third-quarter 2016. Oil is 26° gravity.
Petrobras operates the block with a 45% interest. Partners are BG E&P Brasil, 30%, and Repsol Sinopec Brasil, 25%.
