### Petrobras Commencement of Production Operations at Fourth Mero FPSO Offshore Brazil
Petrobras has marked a significant milestone in its operations at the Mero field off the coast of Brazil with the startup of the fourth floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit. Located in the presalt Santos Basin, the new FPSO is integral to the field’s fourth production system and plays a crucial role in enhancing Brazil’s oil production capacity.
#### Key Highlights of the FPSO
– **Production Capacity**: The latest addition has the capability to produce up to 180,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) of oil, significantly contributing to the Mero field’s overall capacity[2].
– **Gas Compression**: This FPSO is equipped to compress up to 12 million cubic meters per day (mcm/d) of gas, emphasizing Petrobras’ commitment to optimizing resource utilization[2].
– **Innovative Technologies**: Utilizing advanced technologies like HISEP, expected to be operational by 2028, this FPSO will be able to separate oil from gas at the seabed and reinject CO2-rich gas, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving storage capacity[2].
– **Infield Infrastructure**: The FPSO will be connected to a total of 15 wells, including eight producer wells and seven water and gas injection wells, through an extensive undersea infrastructure network designed to ensure efficient production and injection processes[2].
#### Operational Context
The Mero field, Brazil’s third-largest presalt field, is managed by a consortium of companies involved in the Libra Production Sharing Contract. The major partners include Petrobras (38.6%), Shell Brasil (19.3%), TotalEnergies (19.3%), CNOOC (9.65%), CNPC (9.65%), and Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A (PPSA) representing the Federal Government in the non-contracted area (3.5%)[2].
This startup marks a turning point for Petrobras as it aligns with the company’s strategy to leverage advanced technology to enhance production efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
#### Historical Context
The Mero field has seen three previous FPSO deployments: Mero 1, Mero 2, and Mero 3. The Mero-1 FPSO began operations in 2022, followed by Mero-2 in 2023, and Mero-3 in 202