SLB wins Petrobras contract for ultra-deepwater wells in Brazil’s Santos Basin, deploying advanced completion technologies to enhance production and reliability.
Global energy technology leader SLB has secured a significant contract from Petrobras to deliver advanced completion services and technologies for up to 35 ultra-deepwater wells in Brazil’s Santos Basin. This major win underscores SLB’s position as a leading provider of solutions for complex offshore developments and highlights Petrobras’ commitment to enhancing production from its pre-salt reserves.
The wells are part of the second development phase of the Atapu and Sépia fields, two of Brazil’s most promising ultra-deepwater oil and gas projects. These reservoirs lie beneath extremely thick layers of salt and are located at depths of nearly 2,000 meters below the ocean’s surface, making them among the most challenging exploration and production environments in the world. Despite these difficulties, the Atapu and Sépia fields are expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Brazil’s future energy supply and economic growth.
As part of the awarded scope, SLB will implement its advanced electric completions technologies and digital reservoir management tools. These solutions are designed to provide real-time production intelligence, improve recovery efficiency, and enable greater control of well performance in highly complex geological formations. By deploying such innovations, SLB aims to assist Petrobras in ensuring higher reliability, reduced downtime, and stronger production performance from the fields.
Paul Sims, president of SLB’s Production Systems division, emphasized the strategic importance of the project:
“This agreement will help Petrobras achieve its long-term objectives by ensuring enhanced reliability, uptime, and productivity from these critical wells. Our technologies will not only support Brazil’s energy security but also contribute directly to its economic development.”
The contract marks the introduction of several technologies from SLB’s completions portfolio. Among them is the Electris™ high-flow-rate interval control valve, a cutting-edge tool engineered to optimize production from reservoirs with high flow rates and geological complexity. These technologies are expected to maximize hydrocarbon recovery while maintaining efficiency and safety in the ultra-deepwater environment.
Work on the completions is scheduled to begin in mid-2026, positioning SLB and Petrobras for long-term collaboration in one of the most vital offshore energy regions.
This new award builds on SLB’s existing relationship with Petrobras. In 2024, Petrobras also granted a major subsea contract to SLB OneSubsea™, a joint venture, for the same Atapu and Sépia fields. That earlier contract covered standardized subsea production systems and supporting services, laying the groundwork for the broader field development strategy.
The latest contract was secured after a highly competitive tendering process, underscoring the trust placed in SLB’s technological capabilities and operational expertise. For Petrobras, the agreement represents a crucial step in advancing its pre-salt production portfolio, while for SLB, it reaffirms its role as a key partner in unlocking Brazil’s deepwater potential.
