FPSO Guanabara: How we Overtake and Manage Complex and Unpredictable Scenarios to Reach the FPSO TOP in 9 Months

Abstract Shipbuilding industry had been impacted by COVID pandemic on the last years. In order to keep project schedule, some innovative actions were implemented. The objective of this project is present how FPSO Guanabara found an alternative highly efficient way to follow-up the construction and commissioning completeness, as well as operational start-up readiness on Mero, pre-salt of Santos Basin, off coast Brazil. FPSO construction, in normal conditions, is recognized as a very traditional activity, where stakeholders (Owner, Shipyards, Operator, Class Societies, etc) control the main issues, that means it is possible to predict delivery date and associated commissioning completion/carry over list. The COVID pandemic has changed the scenario bringing a lot of uncertainties to the project such as: government restrictions for foreigner entry countries - lack of owner and operator survey on constructions sites; slow manpower ramp-up; need to perform site remote inspections, class society changing inspections mode, etc. FPSO Guanabara construction has implemented some actions to overcome restrictions imposed by the pandemic scenario: change location of construction site to country with more flexible control rules regard to covid; use of Chinese Partners as Surveyors of Petrobras, with remote post analysis by experts; reprioritization of activities in order to enable systems offshore commissioning, take the Unit straight to location in order to mitigate Covid contamination at anchorage point in Brazil sheltered waters. FPSO Guanabara started oil production on April/2022, three months after arrival on Mero Field, directly from Dubai Shipyard. Six months later, the FPSO production ramped up to 150,000 BPD. The top of production (180,000 BPD) was achieved on Jan/2023, after 9 months of starting production, with a trajectory of high efficiency (more than 95% of average) and environmental sustainability (low flaring). The actions taken establish a successful guide on how to manage adverse situations on shipbuilding industry.