Brazilian independent OGPar is working on a revitalisation project for its Tubarao Martelo shallow-water field in the Campos basin, to try to boost production and extend its lifetime through to 2021, writes Fabio Palmigiani.

The new development calls for the replacement of three submersible centrifugal pumps and the substitution of one of the four producing wells on stream for another that is still pending completion.

According to OGPar, the $75.5 million initiative is expected to take place between 2017 and 2018, and may see Tubarao Martelo producing an extra 9.7 million barrels of oil over the next five years.

OGPar warned that the revitalisation project at Tubarao Martelo requires significant investments for the company, which is operating under bankruptcy protection.

“Therefore, OGPar considers the possibility of implementing only the workover aiming to avoid the drastic decrease in oil output,” said the company.

OGPar is currently producing about 8000 barrels per day of oil from Tubarao Martelo, but the submersible centrifugal pumps have been working continuously for the past three years. “Considering that the expected average life of two and a half years for submersible centrifugal pumps has been exceeded, there is a probability of failure of the pumps during 2017,” OGPar added.

OGPar predicts $61 million in costs related to the abandonment of Tubarao Martelo, and another $17 million to remove all subsea equipment.

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OGPar puts Tubarao Martelo extension plan on the menu