Petrobras and Curtiss-Wright forge technological alliance for subsea pumping system

In a move poised to transform the deepwater oil and gas sector, Petrobras, the Brazilian oil giant, and American firm Curtiss-Wright (NYSE: CW) have entered into a technological cooperation agreement to develop a high-reliability, fully electric subsea pumping system. This innovative system, designed to be less dependent on production platforms, is expected to significantly reduce operational costs and enhance efficiency in oil and gas extraction.

Advancements in Subsea Pumping Technology

The newly agreed-upon system will be utilized to pump unprocessed oil and gas mixtures at depths of up to 1,500 meters. By employing hermetically sealed motors, which offer greater reliability and effectiveness compared to current mechanical sealing models, the system aims to minimize unplanned shutdowns and subsequent production losses. This collaboration leverages Petrobras’s decades of deepwater oil and gas flow expertise with Curtiss-Wright’s experience in manufacturing sealed electric motors for intense pumping applications.

Petrobras Partners with Curtiss-Wright to Develop Innovative Subsea Pumping System

Expected Impacts and Benefits

Carlos Travassos, Director of Engineering, Technology, and Innovation at Petrobras, emphasized the strategic significance of the partnership: “The strategic cooperation between Petrobras and Curtiss-Wright symbolizes the complementarity of technology domains and expertise of two solid and recognized companies in their fields. The success of this new project will bring positive impacts across the oil and gas industry, opening new and optimized production opportunities.”

Lynn M. Bamford, President and CEO of Curtiss-Wright, also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are excited to collaborate with a leading end-user experienced in subsea pumping systems and pressure enhancement. These joint efforts will allow us to apply our proven expertise in encapsulated motor technology to this adjacent market, enabling a fully electric submarine production system while offering significant value to Petrobras.”

Innovative Features and Future Prospects

The advanced pumping system will be pivotal in revitalizing mature fields and enabling production through long subsea pipelines connecting platforms to wells. It is set to undergo prototype testing in 2026 in the Jubarte and Espadarte fields in the Campos Basin, with market availability targeted for 2028.

Furthermore, the experts from both companies are exploring an evolution of the prototype with up to five times more power. This enhanced version would have a minimum lifespan of ten years and could simultaneously pump from multiple wells, potentially doubling its durability to at least six years compared to current market solutions, which typically last about three years with replacement costs of up to $70 million.

Looking Forward

This partnership not only reinforces Petrobras’s commitment to innovation and technological development but also positions Curtiss-Wright to expand its presence in the lucrative subsea oil production market. The introduction of this technology is expected to reduce costs, increase productivity, and contribute significantly to more sustainable and profitable operations.