The Santos Basin, located off the southeastern coast of Brazil, is one of the country’s most promising oil and natural gas exploitation sites. In a multi-year agreement, Baker Hughes, an international company specializing in energy technologies and services, has committed to supplying 77 kilometers of flexible pipeline systems to Petrobras, Brazil’s public oil company, for the exploitation of resources in this strategic region. This project is part of Petrobras’s efforts to intensify the development of its pre-salt fields while addressing the specific technical challenges of these environments.
A strategic investment for Brazil
The Santos Basin occupies a crucial position in Brazil’s energy strategy. This vast sedimentary basin is rich in hydrocarbons and attracts major investments from global energy companies such as Shell, CNOOC, and TotalEnergies. Petrobras’s decision to collaborate with Baker Hughes to equip this site comes amid high demand for innovative and sustainable solutions capable of supporting the growth of Brazilian energy infrastructure.
Baker Hughes will supply flexible pipes designed to withstand the extreme conditions of the deep pre-salt fields, which are marked by high concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂). This resistance to corrosive elements present in the Santos Basin reserves is essential to ensure the safety and durability of the installations, thus minimizing CO₂ emissions during operations.
Advanced systems to meet pre-salt challenges
In addition to delivering flexible pipes, the agreement with Petrobras includes equipment for hydrocarbon production, associated gas and water injection, as well as maintenance, storage, and installation services. The pipes, developed by Baker Hughes, enable optimized exploitation of deep fields and meet the rigorous safety standards required for this type of project.
Among the fields in the Santos Basin benefiting from these technologies are Búzios, Libra, Berbigão, Sururu, and Sépia. Each of these deposits is characterized by deep reserves and high CO₂ pressure, posing significant technical challenges for operators. The delivery of this equipment is scheduled for mid-2026, marking a key milestone in Brazil’s production capacity development.
Economic impact and issues for Petrobras
The development of the Santos Basin is a central element of Petrobras’s strategy. This partnership with Baker Hughes reflects the Brazilian company’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure while contributing to the country’s environmental goals. By adopting cutting-edge technology, Petrobras aims to improve the profitability of its operations under challenging conditions and minimize its carbon footprint, thereby contributing to cleaner and more efficient energy production.
