In a significant development for offshore energy sustainability, TotalEnergies, part of the Libra Consortium, has announced the final investment decision to develop a unique natural gas and CO2 separation and reinjection facility. This groundbreaking facility is slated for the Mero field in the Brazilian deep offshore pre-salt area.

At the forefront of this project is the innovative use of a high pressure subsea separation technology, known as HISEP, which is set to revolutionize the way oil is separated from CO2-rich gas. This technology is particularly notable for its ability to perform this separation at the bottom of the ocean, directly reinjecting the gas back into the reservoir. The adoption of HISEP technology is expected to significantly reduce the amount of gas sent to the topside Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units. This reduction is key to minimizing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity while simultaneously increasing the field’s production capacity.

This technological advancement is a part of the Libra Consortium’s dedicated research and development programs. The HISEP subsea separation pilot unit is set to be connected to the Marechal Duque de Caxias FPSO, a part of the Mero 3 project, which is currently under construction.

Namita Shah, President of OneTech at TotalEnergies, expressed the company’s pride in contributing to the development of this new technology in the Mero field. Shah emphasized the broader implications of this innovation, stating, “In addition to its benefits in Brazil, it should find applications for other projects within the Company. Such innovation fits with TotalEnergies’ approach to develop its businesses while reducing its emissions and costs, to improve its competitiveness in a sustainable way.”

The Mero field is a unitized field operated by Petrobras, holding a 38.6% stake. Other partners include TotalEnergies (19.3%), Shell Brasil (19.3%), CNPC (9.65%), CNOOC (9.65%), and Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A (PPSA) with a 3.5% stake.

The investment in this pilot unit by the Libra Consortium marks a critical step in the evolution of sustainable energy practices in offshore drilling. It underscores the industry’s commitment to innovative solutions for environmental challenges, setting a precedent for future offshore energy projects.

  Brazil, Libra Consortium, Mero field, Namita Shah, Petrobras, TotalEnergies