Production start at Mero hits delay

Petróleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) has pushed back the start-up of production from Mero 1, through FPSO Guanabara, to first-quarter 2022 from fourth-quarter 2021.

The FPSO is being converted in China. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a delay in the unit's construction, with a consequent adjustment to the schedule, Petrobras said in an Apr. 7 release.

The FPSO—with a processing capacity of 180,000 b/d of oil—will be installed in Mero oil field offshore Brazil in the northwestern Libra area of the Santos basin presalt.

The Mero 1 ultra-deepwater project will consist of up to 17 wells and the FPSO situated some 180 km offshore Rio de Janeiro at a water depth of 2,000 m subsea (OGJ Online, Dec. 18, 2017).

Petrobras is operator at Mero field with 40% interest. Partners are Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltda. (20%), Total E&P do Brasil Ltda. (20%), CNODC Brasil Petróleo e Gás Ltda. (10%), CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda. (10%). State-owned Pré-Sal Petróleo SA is contract manager.