Petrobras has just released its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, and as the driving force of the offshore industry, it becomes essential to update the market on the next FPSO units expected in Brazil.
FPSO P-78 – 2025
The FPSO P-78 is the sixth development project in the Búzios field, the largest ultra-deepwater asset in the world. With first oil expected in December 2025, this unit is central to Petrobras’ plan to lift production in Búzios to 1.6 million barrels per day by the end of the decade.
The vessel was delivered by Seatrium. Its construction involved a new hull built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, key topsides modules fabricated at BrasFELS (Angra dos Reis, Brazil), and final integration in Singapore.
In a notable logistical move, the unit sailed from Singapore to Brazil with crew onboard, allowing commissioning work to continue during transit and advancing the production start by roughly two weeks. The platform arrived at its location in Búzios on September 30, 2025, and is currently completing subsea hook-up activities.
Designed to operate in the Santos Basin pre-salt at depths of up to 2,100 meters, the P-78 can produce 180,000 bpd and process 7.2 million m³ of gas per day. The project belongs to the Búzios Consortium, led by Petrobras (operator with 88.99%), alongside Chinese partners CNOOC (7.34%) and CNODC (3.67%), with PPSA managing the production-sharing contract.
FPSO P-79 – 2026
The FPSO P-79 is the eighth permanent unit allocated to the Búzios field and the “sister vessel” of the P-78. Both units were developed under Petrobras’ Reference Basic Design (PBREF) model and share the same production capacity: 180,000 barrels of oil and 7.2 million m³ of gas per day. However, they differ significantly in execution strategy and contractor structure.
While the P-78 was delivered by Seatrium, the P-79 was awarded to a joint venture between Italy’s Saipem and South Korea’s DSME (now Hanwha Ocean). Key distinctions include:
- Centralized Integration: Hull construction and module integration were both carried out at Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Korea.
- Global Supply Chain: Topsides modules were sourced from multiple countries, including China (COOEC in Qingdao), Indonesia, and a portion executed locally in Brazil (EBR shipyard, Rio Grande do Sul).
The vessel departed South Korea on November 11, 2025. Like the P-78, it is crossing the ocean with commissioning teams onboard, enabling early testing and shortening the ramp-up phase upon arrival in Brazil, expected in early 2026.
FPSOs P-80, P-82 and P-83 – 2027
The P-80, P-82 and P-83 are part of the next development wave for the Búzios field in the Santos Basin pre-salt:
- P-80: 9th unit in Búzios
- P-82: 10th unit in Búzios
- P-83: 11th unit in Búzios
These are among the largest FPSOs ever deployed in the global industry. All three share similar high-performance specifications:
- Oil Production: 225,000 bpd
- Gas Processing: 12 million m³/day
Petrobras adopted the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contracting model. Due to the merger between Singapore’s shipyard giants, the projects ended up under Seatrium (Keppel + Sembcorp), though originally:
- P-80 and P-83: awarded to Keppel Shipyard
- P-82: awarded to Sembcorp Marine
Start-up is scheduled for 2027.
A major highlight of this trio is their “green platform” design, focused on lowering carbon emissions through:
- CCUS: Injection of CO₂ separated from the gas stream back into the reservoir
- Closed Flare Systems: Eliminating routine flaring
- Digital Twins: Real-time operational monitoring and optimization
FPSO Raia – 2028
The Raia Project goes beyond a conventional FPSO. The unit will be capable of exporting 16 million m³/day of pipeline-spec natural gas directly to the domestic market — essentially functioning as a floating gas processing plant — connected by a 200 km pipeline to shore.
A R$ 2 billion contract between Equinor and Tenaris ensured 99% local content for the pipe supply, all already delivered.
The former BM-C-33 area includes the Pão de Açúcar, Gávea and Seat fields. The Raia Consortium is operated by Equinor (35%), with Repsol Sinopec Brazil (35%) and Petrobras (30%). The project targets an exceptionally low carbon intensity of 6 kg CO₂ per barrel.
FPSOs P-84 and P-85 – 2029 & 2030
The P-84 (Atapu-2) and P-85 (Sépia-2) are set to become the largest FPSOs ever built for Petrobras, each designed for 225,000 bpd. A key differentiator is their dedicated natural gas export capacity of 10 million m³/day, unlike other recent projects focused primarily on reinjection.
A US$ 8.15 billion contract was awarded to Seatrium. First oil is expected between 2029 and 2030. Hull fabrication is being carried out by CIMC Raffles in China, with module integration split between Brazil (Seatrium Aracruz) and Singapore.
Innovation — “All-Electric” Concept
To reduce emissions by roughly 30%, the design incorporates:
- Zero routine flaring
- CO₂ capture and reinjection
- Waste heat recovery for power generation
- Deep-water cooling systems
Consortium Structure
P-84 (Atapu): Petrobras 65.7%, Shell 16.7%, TotalEnergies 15%, Petrogal 1.7%, PPSA 0.9%
P-85 (Sépia): Petrobras 55.3%, TotalEnergies 16.9%, Petronas 12.7%, QatarEnergy 12.7%, Petrogal 2.4%
FPSO Gato do Mato – 2029
After canceling the 2022 tender due to cost inflation, Shell redesigned the project during 2023–2024. The Final Investment Decision was taken in March 2025, followed by the declaration of commerciality in July 2025, renaming the unitized area as the Orca Field.
The consortium — Shell (70%) and Ecopetrol (30%) — selected MODEC to build the FPSO, with first oil planned for 2029.
Barracuda & Caratinga Revitalization FPSO – 2031+
The revitalization of Barracuda and Caratinga underwent major restructuring after the initial tender failed. Only one bid was received (Shapoorji Pallonji), at prohibitively high cost, leading Petrobras to cancel the process in 2024.
The new strategy relies on:
- BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer): Petrobras becomes the asset owner once construction finishes
- Technical Simplification: Reducing specifications to cut CAPEX
- Circular Economy & Reuse: Re-purposing retired hulls such as the P-37
Albacora Revitalization FPSO – 2031+
The project aims to replace aging units P-25 and P-31 with a new FPSO able to produce 120,000 bpd, unlocking both post-salt reserves and the pre-salt Forno structure.
Due to market constraints, Petrobras shifted from a charter model to BOT and postponed proposal submissions to May 25, 2026. Furthermore, the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan removed Albacora from the current five-year horizon, pushing first oil beyond 2030 and raising concerns about production gaps as P-25/P-31 near retirement.
Marlim Leste / Marlim Sul Revitalization FPSO – 2031+
Revitalization and Asset Replacement
The revitalization plan for the Marlim Sul and Marlim Leste fields aims to modernize production and extend the operational lifespan of these assets. The new unit under development (P-86) is intended to replace the current platforms P-38, P-40, P-53 and the FPSO Cidade de Niterói.
Status of the P-86 (Cost-Reduction Focus) Despite its strategic relevance in replacing these four units, the P-86 project has undergone significant restructuring:
- Back to the Design Phase: Petrobras suspended the tender process, sending the project back to basic engineering.
- Economic Constraints: Market bids revealed extremely high CAPEX values, making immediate contracting unfeasible.
- Current Objective: The project is being reassessed to simplify technical requirements and reduce costs, aiming for a more streamlined and financially viable solution before launching a new bidding round.
The P-86 unit will replace platforms P-38, P-40, P-53 and FPSO Cidade de Niterói. However, the tender was suspended due to excessive capital costs, and the project returned to basic engineering for redesign and cost reduction.
SEAP 1 & SEAP 2 – 2030 and 2031+
After years of setbacks, Petrobras finally awarded SBM Offshore the contracts for SEAP I and SEAP II in November 2025 under the BOT model. The bids of approximately US$ 4.1 and US$ 4.3 billion respectively were strengthened by SBM’s standardized Fast4Ward hull design, supporting delivery by 2030.
These units will be transformative for the state of Sergipe, providing:
- 240,000 bpd combined oil capacity
- 18 million m³/day of gas (no onshore UPGN required)
They are expected to restart industrial activity in the region and enable workers previously relocated to Rio/Macaé to return home.
FPSO P-91 (Búzios 12) – 2031+
The new unit will become the 12th platform assigned to the Búzios field, reinforcing its position as the company’s largest producing asset and further strengthening its role in supplying natural gas to the country.
The newly announced P-91 will act as a gas-processing hub for Búzios, treating and exporting gas to shore — including volumes from units without processing capability. With five new FPSOs on the way, Búzios will host an unprecedented 12 producing units in a single field.
FPSO Mero Extension – 2031+
Project under evaluation.
FPSO Entorno de Forno – 2031+
Project under evaluation.
FPSO Tupi Revitalization – 2031+
Project under evaluation.
FPSO ICSPB – 2031+
Project under evaluation.
RESEARCH & AUTHORSHIP CREDITS: Vitor Padua
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