TechnipFMC bags major subsea EPCI works in Brazil

TechnipFMC has signed an EPCI contract worth more than USD 1 billion for integrated EPCI works at Brazil’s BM-C-33 offshore field, the global technology provider announced on Thursday.

Works cover the entire subsea system, including subsea trees, manifolds, jumpers, risers and flowlines, umbilicals, pipeline end termination, subsea distribution and topside control equipment and installation.

TechnipFMC is also responsible for life-of-field services under the deal.

Brazil’s pre-salt BM-C-33 field is located in the Campos Basin and houses the Pão de Açúcar, Gávea and Seat discoveries that together contain more than 1 billion boe.

Operator Equinor and its partners made the FID on the project on Monday and announced the field would be developed utilising an FPSO with a production capacity of 16 mcm (565 mcf) per day with average exports of 14 mcm (494 mcf) per day.

The Norwegian NOC announced awarding the turnkey EPCI contract for the FPSO to Japanese shipbuilding giant MODEC on Wednesday, which includes operations and maintenance for the first year after production begins.

The USD 9-billion BM-C-33 development project is expected to come on line in 2028.

“BM-C-33 is one of the main projects in the country to bring new supplies of domestic gas, being a key contributor to the further development of the Brazilian gas market,” said Veronica Coelho, country manager for Brazil of Equinor.

“Gas exported from the project could represent 15% of the total Brazilian gas demand at start-up.”

The project is the country’s first to process gas offshore and connected to the national grid without onshore processing.

The 200-kilometre export pipeline will connect the FPSO to the city of Macaé in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Equinor and partner Repsol each have 35% stakes in the project, with Brazilian NOC Petrobras holding the remaining 30% stake.