Italy’s engineering, drilling, and construction services giant Saipem is pooling resources with Brazil’s state-owned energy player Petrobras to look into enhancing solutions for decommissioning activities across the South American country’s oil and gas fields, subsea systems, and associated infrastructure.
Saipem and Petrobras have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to initiate a technical dialogue to evaluate and potentially develop integrated solutions for decommissioning activities in Brazil. The deal does not entail any binding commitments; thus, future developments will be subject to separate agreements between the parties.
The MoU, which defines a framework for technical and operational collaboration between the two companies, covers plug and abandonment (P&A) activities for the permanent and safe closure of oil and gas wells, as well as subsea decommissioning.
The Italian firm explains that the objective is to help improve the efficiency, sustainability, and level of innovation of end‑of‑life infrastructure activities. The duo will collaborate to assess potential partnerships with specialized companies and institutions for decommissioning activities.
In addition, Saipem and Petrobras will jointly work to develop and implement new technologies, methodologies, and integrated solutions for this specific type of activity. The cooperation will also include the evaluation of logistical and operational alternatives.
This encompasses the use of drilling units and vessels, as well as the enhancement of existing practices to address the main technical and operational challenges related to decommissioning activities.
The companies’ agreement, with a duration of one year, reflects the shared commitment to innovation, in compliance with the applicable law, ethical conduct, and the sustainable development of the oil and gas sector in Brazil.
Saipem has been busy with multiple projects, including construction activities of an offshore pipeline in the Black Sea designed to transport gas from a Romanian offshore production platform to shore as part of the Neptun Deep project.