Petrobras Cuts Gas Injection to 61 Days, Accelerates Búzios Platform Ramp-Up
Petrobras completed first gas injection on the P-78 platform just 61 days after first oil, beating the previous 79-day record and enabling faster well interconnections to boost throughput. The move, alongside accelerated ramp-up of the near-commissioned P-79, supports improved output growth ahead of P-80 and P-81 startups in early 2027.
1. Accelerated Ramp-Up on P-78 and P-79
The P-78 platform achieved its first gas injection 61 days after first oil, setting a new company record compared to the 79 days taken by P-66. Petrobras is now stabilizing reservoir pressure to connect additional wells and increase daily throughput.
2. Importance of Early Gas Injection
Early gas injection maintains reservoir pressure and enhances oil recovery, allowing faster progression to peak output. By accelerating this process, Petrobras reduces non-productive time and maximizes the productive life of its pre-salt assets.
3. Upcoming Platforms P-80 and P-81
P-80 is scheduled to depart for Brazil in August and P-81 in September, both on track for early 2027 commissioning. Each platform is designed for roughly 180,000 barrels per day capacity, underpinning long-term growth in the Búzios field.
4. Improved Reservoir Management Lowers Decline Rates
Since 2024, Petrobras has cut the annual production decline rate in major fields from 12% to about 4%. This improvement lets new platforms contribute net output growth rather than simply offset natural declines.