Project Overview

The FPSO Alexandre De Gusmão is a high-capacity Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) unit designed to support oil and gas production in Brazil's Mero Field, located in the Santos Basin. SBM Offshore developed the FPSO unit and is part of Petrobras' expansion strategy to enhance production in the field. 

Mero 4 connects 12 wells to the Alexandre de Gusmão FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading) unit, with a production capacity of 180,000 barrels of oil per day (b/d). It is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reinjecting gas into the reservoir.

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The first oil production from this boosted Mero’s total production capacity to 770,000 barrels per day through five FPSOs. It will represent around 100,000 boe/d in TotalEnergies' share at full capacity.

FPSO Alexandre De Gusmao: Location

The Mero 4 FPSO is located in the Mero Field on the Libra block, 180 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, in a water depth of approximately 2,000 meters.

Project Background

The Mero field is a part of the Libra Production Sharing Contract (PSC), signed in December 2013. It comprises four fields, all fully operational, namely (i) FPSO Guanabara (Mero 1), (ii) FPSO Sepetiba (Mero 2), (iii) FPSO Marechal Duque de Caxias (Mero 3), and (iv) FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão (Mero 4).

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The Final Investment Decision (FID) was made in August 2021, with contracts awarded to SBM Offshore for the FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão on November 29, 2021. The FPSO unit is leased from SBM Offshore for a period of 22.5 years, with a production capacity of 180,000 barrels of oil per day.

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A total of 12 wells will be connected to the FPSO, including five oil-producing wells, six alternating water or gas injectors, and one convertible well that can switch from oil production to gas injection. It can compress and reinject 12 million cubic metres of gas each day.

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It will operate on High-Pressure Separator (HISEP) technology, which is currently under qualification. The HISEP technology separates CO2-rich gas from production streams and reinjects it back into the reservoir, reducing the severity of greenhouse gas emissions.

Mero 4 FPSO Ownership Details

Mero is a unitized field, operated by Petrobras (38.6%), in partnership with TotalEnergies (19.3%), Shell Brasil (19.3%), CNPC (9.65%), CNOOC (9.65%), and Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. (PPSA) (3.5%) representing the Government in the non-contracted area.

Project Timeline

Mero 4 FPSO First Oil Production

The Mero 4 FPSO has successfully produced its first oil on 24th May 2025, two months ahead of schedule. The vessel arrived in the Brazilian Waters in March 2025.

Petrobras, on 24 May, said that the FPSO Alexandre de Gusmao, which is on the pre-salt Mero field in the Santos Basin, has joined the early production system. The total production capacity, including all four FPSOs, has increased from 590,000 to 770,000 barrels of oil per day.

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The Pioneiro de Libra early production unit and Mero 1 (Guanabara FPSO) both came online in 2022, Mero 2 (Sepetiba FPSO) came online in 2023, and Mero 3 (Marechal Duque de Caxias FPSO) came online in 2024.

Mero 4 FPSO Financing Details

SBM Offshore secured the project financing of USD 1.615 billion for the FPSO Alexandre de Gusmao in July 2023. It is granted by a consortium of 12 international banks, with insurance coverage from 3 international Export Credit Agencies (ECAs).

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The financing structure comprises four separate agreements, with an average cost of debt of approximately 6.6%. The Repayment period extends for 14 years after project completion, covering both the ECA-backed and non-ECA-backed facilities.

Design and Engineering Details

The vessel is built under SBM Offshore's Fast4Ward program. It is a standardized approach designed to reduce costs and delivery times by leveraging a generic multi-purpose floater (MPF) hull. This design is tailored for operation in ultra-deep waters, offering enhanced safety and reliability through standardization. Key dimensions, based on similar Fast4Ward vessels like the Liza Unity, include:

These dimensions facilitate a storage capacity of up to 1.4 million barrels of crude oil, aligning with the needs of large-scale deepwater fields. Compared to a standard Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), the hull's design offers approximately 13% additional deck space, providing 30% greater area for topside modules.

Project Partner / Contractor Details

Conclusion

The FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão marks advancements in Latin America’s offshore oil industry, highlighting state-of-the-art innovations such as the Fast4Ward Multi-Purpose Floater Hull and the HISEP subsea separation system.

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The project played a significant role in advancing hydrocarbon recovery at the Mero field, with a production capacity of 180,000 barrels of oil per day. It has a daily gas compression capacity of 12 million cubic meters.

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The vessel achieved its first oil production in May 2025 under a 22.5-year contract with Petrobras, positioning Brazil as a global leader in offshore oil production. It focuses on low emissions through gas reinjection and zero routine flaring.

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