Petrobras Achieves Major Milestone with Successful First Gas Injection on P-78 FPSO

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 12, 2026 — Petrobras (PBR), Brazil’s leading energy company, announced a significant milestone on Thursday, having successfully completed the first gas injection on its P-78 Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit at the Búzios field—merely 61 days after the platform’s inaugural oil production on December 31, 2025. This rapid achievement underscores the company’s commitment to optimizing offshore energy production and maximizing the value of its deepwater assets.

The P-78 FPSO, permanently moored in the Santos Basin approximately 180 to 230 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, is one of the world’s largest and most advanced floating platforms. Designed to operate in water depths of around 2,100 meters, the facility boasts a daily oil production capacity of up to 180,000 barrels and can process 7.2 million cubic meters of gas per day, with a crude oil storage capacity of 2 million barrels. The successful gas injection marks a critical step in enhancing the Búzios field’s productivity, a globally renowned deepwater oil field known for its high output.

Gas injection is a pivotal technique in offshore oil extraction, as it optimizes reservoir productivity and extends the field’s operational life by boosting oil recovery rates. For the P-78 FPSO, this milestone not only enhances the platform’s overall efficiency but also aligns with Petrobras’ long-term strategy to develop the Búzios field, which is central to the company’s pre-salt oil and gas projects.

Seatrium, a key partner of Petrobras, played an instrumental role in the P-78 FPSO’s development and the successful gas injection. The company was responsible for topsides fabrication, integration, and commissioning, leveraging its expertise in complex offshore energy projects to meet tight timelines and ensure operational excellence. “The rapid completion of first gas injection, shortly after first oil, is a testament to the collaboration between Petrobras and Seatrium, as well as the advanced engineering of the P-78 platform,” said a Petrobras spokesperson.

Petrobras has ambitious plans for the Búzios field, with six FPSOs scheduled to be deployed in total— a move that could add approximately 1.305 million barrels of oil per day to the company’s production capacity. The successful gas injection on the P-78 FPSO sets a positive precedent for the remaining platforms, reinforcing Petrobras’ position as a leader in deepwater energy extraction.

Industry analysts note that the milestone is particularly significant amid the global push for efficient and sustainable energy production. Gas injection not only improves recovery rates but also supports more responsible resource utilization, aligning with broader industry efforts to optimize energy extraction while minimizing environmental impact.

“This achievement reflects Petrobras’ ability to deliver complex projects efficiently and underscores the importance of gas injection technology in unlocking the full potential of deepwater fields,” said an energy industry expert. “As Petrobras continues to expand its pre-salt operations, the P-78’s success will serve as a model for future offshore developments.”

Petrobras confirmed that the P-78 FPSO is now fully operational with gas injection capabilities, and the company remains on track to meet its long-term production targets for the Búzios field. With this milestone, the company further solidifies its role as a key player in the global energy sector, driving innovation in offshore gas injection and deepwater production technologies.