Gas Monetization in the Solimões Basin

Presented at Joint GPA Europe / GPA GCC Annual Conference held in Athens, 21 - 23 September 2016 by
Mona Bhagat, Petrofac Engineering
Abstract:
Rosneft Brasil is developing 16 blocks in the Solimões Basin, which contain 30,000 km of seismic lines, and eleven wells that have been drilled since 2011. The basin contains numerous discoveries, prospects and leads with the potential for several TCF of gas resources, which could make the basin one of the largest natural gas producers in Brazil.
The objective of the joint Gas Monetisation study between Rosneft Brasil and Petrobras, supported by Petrofac, was to propose the optimum mix of liquid products (e.g. urea, diesel, gasoline, methanol, ethanol, LNG, CNG) and power to monetize the ~ 4 bcma of gas available from proven discoveries in the basin. The key challenges identified for the Solimões Field Development included,
•             HSE & Local communities : Very sensitive protected environment & local content requirements
•             Technical :  Geological potential still under exploration, technology selection, final disposal and proper treatment of waste & hydrological challenges
•             Logistical Issues : Limited local market to provide logistics services, lack of infrastructure & long distances required to integrate multiple discoveries and link them to broader Brazilian markets
•             Markets : Remote from key domestic or international markets and Identifying the right markets and product mix
Cases were analysed covering low, base and high gas flow rates, with multiple routes to market and technical solutions.