The Santos Basin, located off the southeastern coast of Brazil, represents one of the country’s most promising oil and natural gas sites. In a multi-year agreement, Baker Hughes, an international company specializing in energy technologies and services, commits to supplying 77 kilometers of flexible pipeline systems to Petrobras, the Brazilian state oil company, for the exploitation of the resources of this strategic region . This project is part of Petrobras’ desire to intensify the exploitation of its pre-salt deposits while responding to the specific technical challenges of these environments.
A strategic investment for Brazil
The Santos Basin occupies a crucial position in Brazil’s energy strategy. This vast sedimentary basin is rich in hydrocarbons and attracts major investments from global energy companies such as Shell, CNOOC and TotalEnergies. Petrobras’ decision to collaborate with Baker Hughes to equip this site comes against a backdrop of strong demand for innovative and sustainable solutions capable of supporting the growth of Brazilian energy infrastructure.
Baker Hughes will supply flexible pipes designed to withstand the extreme conditions of deep pre-salt deposits, marked by high concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂). This resistance to corrosive elements present in the Santos Basin reserves is essential to guarantee the safety and durability of the installations, thus making it possible to minimize CO₂ emissions during operation.
Advanced systems to meet the challenges of pre-salting
In addition to the delivery of flexible pipes, the agreement with Petrobras includes equipment for hydrocarbon production, associated gas and water injection, as well as maintenance, storage and installation services. The pipes, developed by Baker Hughes, allow optimized exploitation of deep fields and comply with the rigorous safety standards required in this type of project.
Among the Santos Basin fields benefiting from these technologies are Búzios, Libra, Berbigão, Sururu and Sepia. Each of these deposits is characterized by deep reserves and high CO₂ pressure, posing major technical challenges for operators. Delivery of this equipment is scheduled for mid-2026, which will mark a key milestone for the development of Brazilian production capacity.
Economic impact and challenges for Petrobras
The development of the Santos basin is a central element of Petrobras’ strategy. This partnership with Baker Hughes reflects the Brazilian company’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure while contributing to the country’s environmental objectives. By adopting cutting-edge technologies, Petrobras aims to improve the profitability of its operations in challenging conditions and minimize its carbon footprint, thereby contributing to cleaner and more efficient energy production.
