Giant FPSO achieves first gas injection at Petrobras’ Brazilian project

March 11, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Singapore-based offshore, marine, and energy solutions provider Seatrium has confirmed the first gas injection at a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel deployed at one of the world’s largest deepwater oil fields, operated by Brazil’s state-owned energy giant Petrobras.

While revealing the achievement of first gas injection at the FPSO P-78, accomplished on March 2, 2026, Seatrium explained that the milestone was delivered in a record time of 61 days of achieving the first oil on December 31, 2025, marking the vessel’s transition to full operational readiness. The unit is designed to produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil per day, 7.2 million cubic meters of gas per day, and features a minimum storage capacity of 2 million barrels of crude oil.

Marlin Khiew, Executive Vice President of Seatrium Energy (Projects) and President, LATAM, commented: “Achieving first gas Injection in record time for one of the largest FPSOs in the world is a proud and defining moment for Seatrium. It underscores the strength of our engineering capabilities, the discipline of our global execution teams, and the deep expertise we have built over decades delivering complex offshore energy assets for some of the world’s leading energy players.

“The Búzios field is one of the world’s most productive deepwater assets, and this milestone reinforces our value proposition as Petrobras’ key EPCC partner for Brazil’s pre-salt basin that is amongst the largest offshore energy developments globally. This achievement reflects the combined power of our global teams, as well as the strong partnership and trust we share with Petrobras.”

The FPSO P-78, deemed to be one of the largest FPSOs ever delivered to Brazil, is deployed at Búzios, said to be among the world’s largest deepwater oil fields. Seatrium claims that this progression significantly enhances the Brazilian field’s production capabilities beyond conventional oil and reinforces the FPSO’s critical role in strengthening the country’s energy security and long-term output stability.

The Singapore-headquartered firm delivered an extensive scope for the FPSO P-78, spanning topsides fabrication, integration, and commissioning activities executed across its own and its partner yards in Singapore, Brazil, China, and South Korea.

Located in the Santos Basin, about 180 to 230 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro at the prolific Búzios field, the unit is permanently moored at a water depth of around 2,100 meters using a spread-mooring system.

Brazil will gain another 1,305 million barrels of oil per day of production capacity through the six P-series FPSO projects: P-78, P-80, P-82, P-83, P-84, and P-85. The expansion is also expected to create over 60,000 jobs in the communities in which Seatrium’s Brazilian yards operate.

Looking ahead, the Singapore-headquartered giant is on track to achieve the next major project milestone, completing the delivery phase and the final acceptance of the vessel by Petrobras.