E&P Highlights: May 27, 2025

From a new contract for tubular running services to high-frequency sensors, below is a compilation of the latest headlines in the E&P space.

Activity

Production Starts at Mero4 Project Offshore Brazil

The Alexandre de Gusmão platform vessel has begun operations in the Mero field in the Santos Basin offshore Brazil, three companies in the drilling group announced. It’s the fifth platform in the field.

The field is in the Santos Basin pre-salt southeastern offshore Brazil, about 180 km from Rio de Janeiro, in a water depth of 1,800 m to 2,100 m. 

Operator Petrobras holds a 38.6% interest in the Mero4 project. The other partners are Shell Brazil (19.3%), TotalEnergies (19.3%), CNPC (9.65%), CNOOC (9.65%) and Pré-Sal Petróleo SA (3.5%).

The new FPSO has the capacity to produce 180,000 bbl/d of oil and 12 MMcm of gas. When it goes into operation, the installed production capacity will be increased  by about 31% to 770,000 bbl/d.

The project calls for 12 development wells, including five oil producers, six water or gas alternate injectors and a convertible well. The wells are equipped with intelligent well completion technology.

Contracts and company news

ABS Approves Liquefied CO₂ Barge for US Operation

ABS awarded approval in principle for the preliminary design of a liquefied CO₂ barge to Overseas Shipholding Group Inc., the parent company of Aptamus Carbon Solutions. The articulated tug and barge unit is a first-of-its-kind to service carbon capture projects in the U.S.

The development of the barge design is a core component of the Tampa Regional Intermodal Carbon Hub project to receive, store and process emissions from Florida industries for transport to regional sequestration sites.

The cargo handling system design is based on medium-pressure LCO2 Type-C tanks and is capable of transporting 20,000 mt of cargo. Maximum operating pressure has been determined by track record studies and market trends, and with consideration of loading capacity and holding time.

ABS completed design reviews based on class requirements, specifically including the latest ABS requirements for building and classing liquefied gas tank barges.

TGS Releases Dataset for Uinta, Piceance, Paradox Basins

Energy data provider TGS has released a stratigraphic and reservoir framework covering the Uinta, Piceance and Paradox basins in the U.S. This dataset is designed to support a range of subsurface applications across the oil and gas industry, including conventional and unconventional exploration, regional screening and carbon storage assessment.

The dataset includes:

• A regionally consistent stratigraphic framework with 39 correlated surfaces across more than 4,500 wells;
• Petrophysical interpretation logs detailing key reservoir attributes such as porosity, permeability and water saturation;
• Regional property maps of major reservoirs, aiding in prospect identification and basin-scale analysis; and
• Transparent documentation outlining methodology, data and quality controls.

DeepOcean Acquires Shelf Subsea to Expand Portfolio

Ocean services provider DeepOcean has acquired Shelf Subsea, an independent provider of subsea services with a strong position in the Eastern Hemisphere. Terms were not disclosed.

Shelf Subsea will be integrated into DeepOcean and will form the company’s business region, DeepOcean APAC. The companies offer engineering and project management for subsea construction and installation, subsea survey and positioning services, subsea IMR services, as well as removal and recycling of subsea assets.

“We look forward to combining our leading technology and innovative solutions with Shelf Subsea’s operations in the APAC region, as well as gaining valuable learnings from their leading project model,” said DeepOcean CEO Øyvind Mikaelsen.

Expro Awarded Two Tubular Running Services Contracts

Expro has been awarded multi-year tubular running services contracts worth more than $80 million by two leading operators in the Gulf of America, covering both deepwater drill ships and platform rigs.

Expro will deploy its Centri-FI operational hub and iTong rig integration package in support of the offshore operators in what was formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico.

“Our advanced technologies—including Centri-FI and iTong—are helping reshape what’s possible in tubular running services, enhancing safety, reducing personnel exposure and driving consistent performance,” said Jeremy Angelle, vice president of well construction.

Neo Oiltools Introduces NeoSmart High-Frequency Sensors

Neo Oiltools, a creator of drilling performance tools for the oil and gas and geothermal industries, has introduced Neosmart high-frequency sensors. They provide in-depth, high-resolution post-run diagnostics that help maximize drilling performance while minimizing downhole risk.

As an embedded optional device, Neosmart monitors downhole vibrations in three dimensions and tracks the axial movements of the Neotork downhole tool throughout a run. The data Neosmart provides can guide adjustments in drilling parameters, bit design, or bottomhole assembly (BHA) configuration for future runs, delivering more predictable and efficient drilling.

“Neosmart is field-proven to enable targeted improvements in drilling programs by correlating tool behavior with formation response and BHA dynamics,” Neo CEO Robert Borne said.