Atapu

Atapu Oil Field Profile

Location and Geology

The Atapu oil field is located in the ultra-deep waters of the Santos basin, offshore Brazil, approximately 200 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state. The field is situated in block Atapu and BM-S-11 (Oeste De Atapu), with a water depth of about 2,300 meters (or 7,528 feet).

Operator and Ownership

The Atapu oil field is operated by Petróleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras). The ownership stakes are distributed as follows:

• Petrobras: 89.257%
• Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltd.: 4.258%
• TotalEnergies EP Brasil Ltd.: 3.832%
• Petrogal Brasil SA: 1.703%
• Pré-Sal Petróleo SA: 0.950%.

Production and Infrastructure

Production at the Atapu field began in June 2020 through the P-70 Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. The P-70 FPSO, built by China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) subsidiary CNOOC Engineering Co. Ltd., reached its full oil production capacity of 150,000 barrels per day (b/d) in July 2021, utilizing only four of its eight planned production wells. The FPSO is also equipped to process 6 million cubic meters of gas per day.

In addition to the P-70 FPSO, Petrobras has contracted Seatrium O&G Americas to supply two new FPSOs, P-84 for the Atapu field and P-85 for the Sépia field, with first oil targeted for 2029-2030. These new platforms will feature all-electric configurations, process plant optimization, and various innovations to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.

Production Outlook

The Atapu field has recovered about 9.97% of its total recoverable reserves as of the latest data. Peak production is expected in 2030, and production is anticipated to continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2052. The field currently accounts for approximately 2% of Brazil’s daily oil output.

Contractors and Suppliers

Several key contractors are involved in the Atapu project:

• Main EPC: China International Marine Containers (Group)
• EPC Contractors: Seatrium
• Other Contractors: Schlumberger, Vallourec, American Bureau of Shipping, TechnipFMC, and Shearwater GeoServices Holding.

Technical Specifications of Atapu Crude

The crude oil produced from the Atapu field has the following technical specifications:

• Density at 15°C: 885.1 kg/cu m
• Gravity: 28.3° API
• Acidity: 0.24 mg KOH/g
• Sulfur content: 0.37 wt%
• Mercaptan sulfur: 35 mg/kg
• Viscosity at 10°C: 81.6 cst
• Viscosity at 50°C: 14.3 cst
• Pour point: -18°C
• Total nitrogen: 0.26 wt%
• Basic nitrogen: 0.13 wt%
• Sodium chloride: 3.0 mg/kg
• Nickel: 10.9 mg/kg
• Vanadium: 12.8 mg/kg
• Iron: 6.2 mg/kg
• Calcium: < 1 mg/kg
• Silicium: < 3 mg/kg
• Zinc: 6.5 mg/kg.

Expansion and Future Developments

An expansion project associated with the Atapu field, known as the Atapu Development, is currently in the construction stage and is expected to start in 2029. This project includes the deployment of new FPSOs and the implementation of various technological innovations to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Regulatory and Unitisation

The Unitisation Agreement for the Atapu accumulation was approved by the Brazilian National Petroleum Agency (ANP) in September 2019, which established the ownership and operational framework for the field.

In summary, the Atapu oil field is a significant ultra-deepwater project in Brazil, operated by Petrobras with participation from several international partners. It features advanced infrastructure, including FPSOs, and is set for further expansion and technological improvements to optimize production and reduce environmental footprint.