Petróleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) will mothball its Merluza offshore platform (PMLZ-1) in the Santos basin, off Brazil. The platform’s production had been interrupted since March due to the abrupt drop in demand for natural gas.
Operating in 135 m of water since 1993, the platform is the oldest in operation in the basin. It was installed for natural gas and condensate production from Merluza field. Natural gas and condensate from Lagosta field was added in April 2009.
The deactivation will “allow the reduction of operating expenses and the transfer of professionals to other Petrobras units,” but will not impact the divestment process of the Merluza Cluster and the supply of natural gas to the Santos' coastal area market, the operator said in a release Aug. 7.
The Merluza Cluster is composed of the Merluza and Lagosta concessions, in which Petrobras holds 100% interest. In operation since 1993, average production totaled 3,600 boe/d of natural gas and condensate in 2019.
Merluza and Lagosta fields are currently in a binding phase for divestment, as noted Mar. 31.