Petrobras lets permanent 4D seismic contract for Mero field

Petróleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) has let a contract with the consortium formed by Alcatel Submarine Networks and Maersk for a permanent seismic monitoring system (PSMS) in Mero field, offshore Brazil.

The Mero PSMS project incorporates 4D seismic monitoring with which seismic records obtained on different dates are used to track reservoir behavior over time. Data acquired with PSMS will increase knowledge about the distribution of fluids in the reservoir and provide greater efficiency in the production of oil from the field, the operator said in a release Feb. 14.

The contract signed with the consortium includes construction and installation of 400 km of optical fibers, distributed over an area of about 200 sq km on the ocean floor. The optical fibers will be connected to the FPSO Sepetiba which, in connection with Petrobras' offices, will allow remote and instant access to the data generated by the monitoring system. Installation will begin in 2024.

Mero field lies in the Libra block, more than 150 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, in the presalt area of Santos basin. It is part of the Libra production sharing contract signed in Dec 2013. Final investment decision on Mero-1 was made in 2018 (OGJ Online, May 2, 2022).

Petrobras is operator at Mero with 38.6% interest. Partners are Shell Brasil with 19.3%, TotalEnergies 19.3%, CNPC 9.65%, CNOOC Ltd. 9.65%, and PPSA 3.5%.