Port of Açu signs agreement with Petrobras for platform decommissioning

On the 4th of August, the Port of Açu signed a contract with Petrobras for the pre-decommissioning of three platforms. The agreement involves the temporary berthing of the state-owned company’s production units to carry out activities necessary before dismantling of the structures. The contract value has not been disclosed.

According to José Firmo, CEO of the Port of Açu, this marks the beginning of a “potential decommissioning hub” in the logistics-industrial complex. He believes that Brazil is on the verge of implementing a groundbreaking model for top-side disassembly through the sustainable disposal concept proposed by Petrobras.

“Petrobras is inaugurating a new concept that is expected to endure in the country for the next thirty years. For Açu, it’s extraordinary to be at the genesis of this process,” he stated.

Firmo added that the infrastructure of the Port of Açu is ready to simultaneously receive the three platforms. The mobilization period is set at 60 days. During this time, minor adjustments will be made to the dock to accommodate them.

It is expected that up to two units will arrive in São João da Barra still in 2023. One of them will be the P-32, whose decommissioning contract was awarded to the Ecovix/Gerdau consortium in June. According to Petrobras, the dismantling of two FPSOs and one submersible platform is also scheduled for this year.

In the meantime, the CEO is already envisioning the next steps to strengthen Açu’s position in the decommissioning sector. “It may be that we can expand next year, for example, into upcycling to promote the circular economy in Brazil. There are several aspects we are considering for the future. The intention is to expand,” he said.

When asked if the Port of Açu has plans to directly engage in platform dismantling, Firmo emphasized that the focus lies on other engineering solutions. “We don’t see an immediate option for a dry dock at Açu,” he assured. However, he highlighted that initiating and expanding the hub would be natural. “Açu already has a natural vocation to consolidate the subsea hub and expand it into a top-side decommissioning hub,” he anticipated.

Finally, the executive draws attention to the fact that the dismantling of platforms could boost the production of low-carbon steel in Brazil. “Given the number of platforms we have, it makes sense to decommission them, create local content, develop the supply chain, and decarbonize our steel industry with scrap. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity for the country,” he cautioned.

Vinícius Patel, Director of Port Administration at the Port of Açu, reinforced that the enterprise possesses unmatched nautical infrastructure to accommodate integrated decommissioning projects aimed at the circular economy.

“At Açu, we have infrastructure that saves a lot of mobilization time. Regarding coral-sun biofouling, for example, we have one of the few Brazilian terminals capable of performing this type of service. And we do all of this with 100% domestic content,” he concluded.

In total, Petrobras plans to invest $9.8 billion in decommissioning, including well abandonment, from 2023 to 2027. This encompasses 26 platforms, 360 offshore wells, and 2.5 km of risers.

Source: Petróleo Hoje

To read the original news piece, please visit: https://petroleohoje.editorabrasilenergia.com.br/porto-do-acu-assina-com-a-petrobras-para-pre-descomissionar-tres-plataformas/

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