France-based TotalEnergies has announced that in the Libra block, which is some 110 miles offshore of Rio de Janeiro, production has begun at the Mero-2 development.
Mero-2 is the second phase of development in the Mero field, having been given the go ahead in June 2019. A floating production, storage and offloading vessel named Sepetiba has the capacity to produce some 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil each day.
Moreover, the design of the Sepetiba means that any accompanying natural gas can be reinjected into the field, removing the need for routine flaring and thereby minimising greenhouse gas emissions.
TotalEnergies, which makes Total coolant and lubricant products, said that the new development brings production in the Mero field to 410,000 bpd. What’s more, two further developments are also in progress that are expected to start production in 2025, and add a further combined production of 360,000 bpd. TotalEnergies says its share of total production will be over 100,000 bpd.
TotalEnergies’ CEO and Chairman, Patrick Pouyanné, said about the development:
“The production start-up of Mero-2 is a new milestone for TotalEnergies in Brazil, a key growth area for the company. With its vast resources and world-class productivity, the Mero development delivers low cost and low emission oil production in line with the strategy of our company.”
Petrobras operates the Mero field with an interest of 38.6%, with the remaining stakes being held by its partners Shell Brasil (19.3%), TotalEnergies (19.3%), CNOOC (9.65%), CNPC (9.65%), and Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A (PPSA) (3.5%).
