"As
an ABS representative in South America for nearly
20 years, I continue to be impressed by the ways in which
Petrobras and the offshore industry have adapted."
--JC Pacheco
ABS Country Manager
Brazil |
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 |
here
is no question that Brazil is on the forefront of offshore
technology and, |
especially, deepwater technology. In 1977, the country made
offshore history with the installation of its first Early Production
System (EPS), a precursor to today’s floating production
systems. It delved to a depth of 124 meters in the Enchova field
of the Campos Basin, and produced 10,000 bpd.
In July 2000, production in Campos Basin reached one million
barrels per day with some wells drilled at water depths exceeding
1,000 meters. Petrobras, Brazil’s state oil company,
recently set a new record when it began producing at the ultradeep
1,877 meters in Roncador.
The ability of technology to advance and metamorphose to
meet changing needs is never more vividly illustrated than
when we’re talking about Brazil.
As an ABS representative
in South America for nearly 20 years, I continue to be impressed
by the ways in which Petrobras and the offshore industry have adapted.
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Each new challenge
has been met by a forward-punt in technology, which in turn has
helped spur progress worldwide. Nor are the challenges over. By
2005, over half of Brazil’s oil production will need to come
from ultradeep waters, requiring an incredible investment in infrastructure
and involving untold risks. That has not stopped Petrobras, and
nor does it inhibit the foreign oil and gas companies who have come
to Brazil to help develop its rich offshore fields.
What I see changing,
in pace with the technology, is the approach that is taken on projects:
- there is
more in-depth upfront engineering work and review of designs;
- there is
greater attention to what risk and probabilistic studies tell
us about the safety, viability and practicality of a design;
- there is
more demand for inspection services that are calibrated to the
installation and areas of special interest; and
- there is
greater recognition for the role that classification can have
in assuring the safety and integrity of an installation.
These are the
tools – the welding hammer and its flare – that help put
a project together solidly, successfully. In class parlance: fit
for its intended purpose. I and my ABS and ABS Group colleagues
look forward to watching and participating in the remarkable changes
we see on Brazil’s horizon.
Best regards,
JC Pacheco
Country Manager, Brazil
ABS Americas
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