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. 

The production capacity of the FPSO is 180,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), and it can compress 12 million cubic meters of gas daily. The FPSO has a storage capacity of 1.4 million barrels of crude oil and is engineered to maintain a GHG emission intensity range of 8-12 kgCO₂e/boe. The vessel is built using SBM Offshore’s Fast4Ward® New Build, a multi-purpose Hull designed to optimize efficiency and reduce construction time.

Find the Latest FPSO & FSO (Oil & Gas) Projects in Brazil     Collect Your Free Leads Here!

The FPSO project is jointly owned by SBM Offshore, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, with a total financing cost of USD 1.6 billion. Construction of the FPSO has been completed, and it is scheduled to commence oil production in 2025.

FPSO Alexandre De Gusmao: Location

The FPSO Alexandre De Gusmão unit will be located at the Mero field in the Santos Basin offshore Brazil, approximately 160 kilometers from Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro state.

Project Background

The FPSO Alexandre De Gusmão is the fifth vessel in the Mero field by Petrobras (Petróleo Brasileiro SA), followed by the successful deployment of the other four FPSOs: Pioneiro de Libra, Guanabara, FPSO Sepetiba, and Marechal Duque de Caxias. The giant floating system is intended to increase the production capacity of the Mero field by 31%.

Source: SBM Offshore

Mero Field

The Mero Field, located in the Libra block of the Santos Basin, is one of the significant offshore oil fields in Brazil. The field is situated 180 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro at a water depth of 2,100 meters.

The Libra block operates under a Production Sharing Agreement, with Petrobras holding a 40% stake, Shell Brazil and TotalEnergies each owning 20%, and CNODC and CNOOC having 10% each. Additionally, Pré-Sal Petróleo SA (PPSA) manages the Production Sharing Contract on behalf of the Brazilian government.

In October 2023, SBM Offshore also announced the arrival of the FPSO Almirante Tamandaré, the largest FPSO in Brazil with a production capacity of 225,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). Recently, SBM Offshore sold FPSO Prosperity to ExxonMobil Guyana, which will own the unit while SBM Offshore operates it until 2033.
 

FPSO Alexandre De Gusmao: Enhanced Oil Recovery in Mero Field

The FPSO Alexandre De Gusmao is designed to handle the challenging subsea environment by integrating a state-of-the-art subsea infrastructure that connects 15 wells to the unit. The system consists of:

• 8 oil production wells
• 6 water and gas injection wells
• 1 convertible well, which can switch between oil production and gas injection

These wells connect to the FPSO through an integrated network of rigid production and injection pipelines, supported by flexible service pipelines that optimize flow control and ensure efficient hydrocarbon extraction.

The FPSO Alexandre De Gusmão, developed by SBM Offshore, will significantly contribute to the production capacity of the Mero Field, reinforcing Brazil’s position as a leading player in the global offshore oil and gas market.

Project Timeline

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.

A distinctive feature of the FPSO Alexandre De Gusmão is its integration with HISEP technology, patented by Petrobras. This technology enables subsea separation of oil and gas, with CO2-rich gas being reinjected directly into the reservoir from the seabed. This innovation not only enhances oil recovery but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Project Financing Details

SBM Offshore secured project financing of USD 1.615 billion for the FPSO Alexandre De Gusmão in July 2023. The project financing is provided by a consortium of 12 international banks with insurance cover from 3 international Export Credit Agencies (ECA).

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

Project Partner / Contractor Details

Find the Latest FPSO & FSO (Oil & Gas) Projects Around the World     Collect Your Free Leads Here!

Current and Future Prospects

On December 16, 2024, the Alexandre De Gusmão FPSO departed from the COSCO Shipping (Qidong) Offshore shipyard in China, en route to the Mero Field in Brazil’s pre-salt Santos Basin. According to the latest update in January 2025, the FPSO vessel was in South Africa and was reported en route to Port Louis, Mauritius.

The vessel will be the eighth SBM Offshore NV unit to operate in Brazil. The first oil is expected in mid-2025. The vessel has signed a lease and operation contract for 22.5 years with Petrobras.

Summary

The FPSO Alexandre De Gusmao represents a significant advancement in Latin America's offshore oil industry, featuring state-of-the-art innovations such as the Fast4Ward® Multi-Purpose Floater Hull and the HISEP subsea separation system. 

The floating production system plays a vital role in enhancing hydrocarbon recovery at the Mero unitized field, with a production capacity of 180,000 barrels of oil per day and the ability to compress 12 million cubic meters of gas daily. The vessel is on track for first oil in mid-2025 under a 22.5-year lease with Petrobras, contributing significantly to Brazil’s position as a global leader in offshore oil production.

Connect with Key Decision-Makers in Brazil's FPSO Industry

Subscribe to our Brazil FPSO Project and Tender Database to gain valuable insights into upcoming, ongoing, and completed FPSO projects.

Why Subscribe?

• Access Reliable Insights – Stay updated with high-quality information on FPSO developments.
• Discover Business Opportunities – Identify potential contracts, tenders, and partnerships.
• Get Key Stakeholder Contacts – Connect with industry leaders, decision-makers, and project owners.
• User-Friendly Platform – Navigate easily to find critical project details and timely updates.

Who Benefits?

Engineers, industry professionals, investors, and government agencies looking to expand their network and business prospects.

Start your free demo today and elevate your business!