Buzios: The Development of Well Construction in a Giant Pre-Salt Field

Abstract

Abstract Búzios is the largest ultra-deep water oil field in the world, located on the Brazilian coast, in the pre-salt polygon. Its development has taken place at an accelerated pace, with more than 60 wells already drilled and 4 FPSO's operating by the end of 2022, and a forecast of 7 more installed up to 2026, and at least 80 more wells till 2030. In this way, well configurations represent a great challenge, requiring technological and technical developments to allow high production flow and maintenance of integrity throughout the field's productive life, estimated in 30 years. Several well configurations, whether in drilling or in completion, were applied with greater or lesser success, bringing objective results in the reduction of time in well construction: from 130 days at the beginning of development to durations of less than 80 days, reducing CAPEX and increasing the rate of return on investment. This work aims to describe the various challenges faced in the design of well projects and construction, whether in drilling or completion, as well as how the geological characteristics of the field influenced the choices and methodologies adopted. In addition, demonstrate how the methodologies contributed to improve the quality of construction and linked to the reduction of time and costs.