Aker Solutions Takes First Dive into the Tupi Field

Aker Solutions has been awarded a contract with Petrobras to supply the first set of subsea trees, including control systems and related equipment for the Tupi field development in the Brazilian pre-salt layer. The agreement is worth approximately EUR 45 million.

Aker Solutions is the first supplier of subsea production equipment that is awarded a contract for the challenging pre-salt layer in the Santos basin offshore Brazil. The company will utilise its technology know-how for HP/HT (high-pressure/high-temperature) deepwater conditions to engineer a solution for Petrobras. Scope of work is nine vertical subsea trees for 2,500 metres water depth, subsea control systems, two complete tool sets plus related accessories and spare parts.

"The Tupi field will be a huge subsea development. It is a challenging development from a technological standpoint, but our HP/HT expertise and deepwater technology puts us in a good position," says Marcelo Taulois, president of Aker Solutions' subsea business area Brazil. "We have a proud track record with Petrobras and we are pleased to be chosen as their first subsea partner to enter the pre-salt layer."

The complete scope of work will be managed, designed and engineered by Aker Solutions' manufacturing facility in Curitiba, Brazil, with support from Aberdeen, UK, for the subsea control systems. Delivery of the first subsea tree is scheduled for the end of 2010.