Brazilian state operator Petrobras stopped the extended well test at its pre-salt Tupi field after detecting what it believed to be a manufacturing issue with bolts used in the subsea tree at Tupi Sul. Although subsea inspection carried out in the area detected neither leaks nor damage to the equipment, Petrobras elected to shut down the well while a replacement wet tree assembly was installed.
Petrobras said the issue was unrelated to aspects concerning field production or technology and that it would not affect the development of the Santos Basin’s pre-salt cluster.
Tupi Sul, in 2140m of water, had been producing about 14,000b/d as part of a 15-month extended well test for the field when the consortium of operator Petrobras and partners BG and Galp Energia brought the field onstream at the beginning of May. In late June, the FPSO Cidade de São Vicente serving Tupi Sul offloaded its first cargo, transferring 315,000 barrels to the Nordic Spirit.
The well test is intended to gather technical data to help in the appraisal and development of the other discoveries in the Santos Basin, like Iara, Iracema, Júpiter, Bem-te-Vi and Caramba. According to Petrobras, the results so far have been in line with expectations. Estimates are that Tupi contains 5-8 billion boe of recoverables. OE
Issue: August 2009
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