Búzios field sets record natural gas export levels

Petrobras has announced record-breaking natural gas exports from the Búzios field, located in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. In August, the field achieved a monthly average export exceeding 10 million cubic meters per day (m³/d), surpassing the previous record of 9.1 million m³/d.

A new daily export record was also set on August 6, reaching 14.1 million m³/d. Petrobras attributed these gains to the optimization of existing units rather than the introduction of new production systems. Key initiatives include the modernization of gas treatment plants on platforms P-74, P-75, P-76, and P-77, which involved replacing carbon dioxide removal membranes. This project has doubled the export capacity of these specific platforms from approximately 1.5 million to 3 million m³/d each.

The company expects continued expansion, with platforms P-78 and P-79 scheduled to begin operations by 2027. By the end of the field's development, eight of the planned 12 platforms are expected to have gas export capabilities, including the Búzios 12 unit, which is projected to start operations in 2032 with an estimated capacity of 5.5 million m³/d.