Petrobras has launched a major tender for the supply of up to 518.3 kilometers of flexible risers and flowlines, a contract potentially worth around $2 billion. This equipment is critical for operations across dozens of production platforms in Brazil's Campos and Santos basins, supporting both the revitalization of mature fields and new pre-salt developments.

Technical Specifications and Tender Structure

The tender specifically requests flexible pipes designed to mitigate stress-induced corrosion cracking from supercritical carbon dioxide (SCC-CO2), a key challenge in the pre-salt province. The contract also includes associated logistics and transportation services for pipe reels. Petrobras has divided the tender into two lots: Lot 1 for 276.8 kilometers of pipes and Lot 2 for 241.5 kilometers. Bids will be ranked by lowest price per lot, with priority given to Lot 1. Petrobras has stipulated that if no valid bids are received for Lot 2, the winning bidder for Lot 1 may be offered that lot as well, provided they accept the original conditions.

Deployment and Application

The flexible lines will serve a wide range of applications including gas lift, water injection, oil and gas production, and export services. A portion will be allocated to post-salt fields in the Campos basin such as Albacora, Marlim Sul, and Roncador, including for the forthcoming P-88 FPSO destined for the Albacora field. However, the majority of the contracted lines are designated for major pre-salt fields, including Tupi, Sapinhoa, Buzios, Mero, Atapu, Sepia, and Jubarte.

The bulk of the SCC-CO2-resistant lines will be linked to a long list of existing and future FPSOs. This includes units like P-66, P-67, and several "Cidade de" vessels, as well as the P-84 and P-85 FPSOs currently under construction for the Atapu and Sepia fields. It is noted that contractors have so far only qualified flexible risers that mitigate SCC-CO2 but require replacement over a short period.

Contract Terms and Logistics

Petrobras is offering a three-year manufacturing and installation contract, renewable for an additional two years. The winning bidders must also provide a logistics base for storing equipment and loading it onto flexible pipelaying support vessels (PLSVs), which will be supplied by Petrobras. The deadline for commercial proposals is set for 13 February, though sources indicate this timeline is considered extremely short for a tender of this magnitude and will likely be extended by several weeks.