Petrobras Working to Contain Oil Spill Offshore Brazil

Brazil’s largest oil company, Petrobras, announces that, since Tuesday (January 31) , it has adopted all contingency procedures in response to the rupture that took place in the vertical production testing column (connecting the platform to the wellhead) of FPWSO Dynamic Producer.

The platform is operating in the Extended Well Test (EWT) that is underway in the Carioca Nordeste area, in the Santos Basin. The procedures started shortly after the incident was identified.

Three oil collection vessels scouted the site and two other boats are providing support for the mechanical dispersion of the remaining oil that spilled. Fifteen cubic meters of oily water were collected and will be handled in accordance with the environmental legislation.

On Wednesday morning (Feb 1), two fly overs were made in the region, with the presence of representatives from Ibama and the ANP. Only one area with scattered traces of oil was located during this inspection. The ANP also sent a team aboard the FPWSO Dynamic Producer to begin investigations.

Ibama and Cetesb technicians monitored the work at Petrobras, in Santos. The well that was connected to the vertical column was producing with a continuous monitoring and logging system. After the rupture, the well was automatically shutdown by the safety system, and it remains closed and in safe conditions.

All contingency resources remain in the area and will only be demobilized after authorization from the relevant bodies.

[mappress]
Offshore Energy Today Staff, February 2, 2012; Image: ANP