Petrobras to produce even more oil out of Pre-Sal

Credit: Petrobras

INT and Petrobras to develop technology to increase pre-salt productivity

The National Institute of Technology (INT) - a research unit of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC) - has signed a contract with Petrobras for the development of corrosion methodologies for operations that increase productivity in pre-salt wells based on acid stimulation techniques.

By this method, the oil extraction capacity is increased due to the use of an acidic substance in areas near the open well, which increases the permeability in to the ocean floor. This way, the oil and gas are removed from the rock more easily and are channeled to the exploration platforms. With a budget of R$5.6 million, the project will be developed by the Embrapii INT Unit. (Out of this amount, R$2.9 million will be invested by Petrobras itself.) The Brazilian Industrial Research and Innovation Company (Embrapii) - a social organization supervised by MCTIC - will contribute with R$1.9 million and while INT will provide R$800.000 for infrastructure and research.

This is the fourth project that will be developed by the Embrapii NIT Unit. According to the Institute's Business Coordinator, Vicente Landim, this agreement with Petrobras could mean the beginning of a series of projects to develop solutions for the exploration of oil and gas in the pre-salt layer in the future. "This partnership is part of our plan of action under Embrapii, and we hope it will be the first of many with Petrobras," said Petrobras. "It brings significant value to INT, because it is a recognition of our competences, "Landim said.

The work will be developed in INT's Laboratory of Test of H2S, CO2 and Corrosively (LabH2S), which tests high pressures and temperatures, without oxygen, simulating the extreme conditions of the pre-salt exploration wells. The laboratory is involved in projects to evaluate the integrity of materials and coatings, as well as the effectiveness of chemicals that minimize corrosion in the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Embrapii Unit

The Embrapii INT Unit works in the area of industrial chemical technology, including the development of chemical and physicochemical processes, as well as the development of organic and inorganic chemical technology.