Petrobras and SBM are in discussions over FPSOs to be used for deepwater projects at Sergipe

Petrobras, Brazil's state oil company, is currently in negotiations with SBM Offshore about two floating production ships to be used for the Sergipe deepwater project. The head of Petrobras Exploration and Production announced this on Wednesday.

Sylvia Anjos, Petrobras's spokesperson, said that the company hopes to reduce costs and accelerate delivery of both vessels. She spoke at the OTC Conference in Rio de Janeiro.

SBM was the lowest bidder in a competitive process, according to Anjos. However, the price offered by SBM was still higher than what the oil company had originally planned. She added that having SBM build two ships would reduce their costs by optimizing them.

The Petrobras plans to develop a gas and oil field in Sergipe, a state in northeast Brazil. But the projects have repeatedly been delayed.

In its most recent strategic plan, the company has delayed the start of operation for both platforms until 2030 or later. Both platforms were originally scheduled to start operations in 2028.

(source: Reuters)