On December 31, 2025, Petrobras marked a significant milestone with the start of oil production from the P-78 floating production unit (FPSO) in the Búzios field, located in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin. The P-78 FPSO has the capacity to produce 180,000 barrels of oil and 7.2 million cubic meters of gas daily, contributing to the field’s overall production capacity, now reaching approximately 1.15 million barrels per day. Additionally, this FPSO enables the export of natural gas to Brazil’s mainland via the ROTA 3 pipeline, boosting the country’s gas supply by up to 3 million cubic meters per day.
Magda Chambriard, CEO of Petrobras, noted that this production start is key to the company’s 2026 target of achieving 2.5 million barrels of oil per day. A large portion of that will come from Búzios, which continues to be Brazil’s largest and most productive oil field.
The P-78 is a cutting-edge FPSO designed to enhance operational safety and efficiency. With 13 wells (6 producers and 7 injectors), the platform integrates intelligent completion systems to optimize production management. It also incorporates advanced technologies to minimize emissions and improve energy efficiency. The FPSO’s total cost amounts to USD 3.5 billion, a significant investment for Petrobras, reinforcing its commitment to long-term growth in Brazil’s energy sector.
Arriving from Seatrium Tuas Mega Yard in Singapore in October 2025, the P-78 is the seventh FPSO in the Búzios field, which is located 180 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, at depths exceeding 2,000 meters. This project strengthens Petrobras’ leadership in the global energy industry, expanding Brazil’s oil and gas production capabilities in one of the world’s most challenging and lucrative offshore fields.
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