The Mexilhao development will comprise a fixed gas production platform, with the gas being transported via submarine pipelines to an onshore gas processing plant for connection to the national gas transmission system.
Petrobras engaged INTEC to provide the front‑end engineering design (FEED), installation feasibility analysis, stability analysis and the specification for the construction for the new 34 inch, 130 km long pipeline that will be installed in water depths from 170 m to shore. The pipeline will connect the Mexilhao fixed platform with the gas treatment facilities in Caraguatatuba, currently under construction. The design also accommodates receipt of gas from the giant Tupi field that was subsequently discovered and will be tied back through Mexilhao to shore.
INTEC was able to complete the pipeline engineering under a tight schedule to enable timely receipt of materials and installation tenders to support the aggressive first gas date. Furthermore, stability analysis was performed to confirm the adequacy of the existing 34 inch pipe, originally designed for use as an oil pipeline.
