The Mero field – located in the pre-salt of the Santos Basin and operated by the consortium formed by Petrobras (38.6%), Shell Brasil (19.3%), TotalEnergies (19.3%), CNPC (9.65%), CNOOC (9.65%) and PPSA (3.5%) – will feature unprecedented technology for 4D seismic acquisition. The first qualification phase of the on-demand submarine seismic node system (OD OBN) has been completed, with 84 units deployed on the seabed at approximately two thousand meters depth. This project is funded by Shell Brasil and Petrobras' CENPES, through the ANP R&D&I clause, and executed by SENAI CIMATEC and Sonardyne.

The technology was developed to support oil reservoir management, offering a new alternative for 4D seismic acquisition — a technique used to track fluid behavior within the reservoir. This type of information enables improved decision-making on production and fluid injection, contributing to more efficient operations.

The qualification marks a new step after eight years of technology development, which included conceptual design stages, prototype manufacturing, laboratory testing, and over two thousand days of deepwater testing. The deployment validated the installation system logistics, and during operation, some of the equipment underwent a validation test for data transmission via laser optical communication.

"The deployment operation of the first 84 OD OBN units from the pilot batch is a very important step for the program and for product commercialization. The success of this critical stage makes us very proud and reflects the maturity achieved throughout development. We continue advancing toward the next phases of this challenging project," says Valter Beal, Innovation Project Leader at SENAI CIMATEC.

"Completing the first deployment phase of OD OBNs in Mero is a decisive step in maturing a technology with strong potential to generate real value for offshore operations. The next stages – seismic acquisition, data collection and interpretation – will follow in the coming months. In partnership with Petrobras, SENAI CIMATEC and Sonardyne, we seek to transform national R&D into more frequent, accurate and efficient reservoir decisions, strengthening a more competitive and sustainable pre-salt," evaluates Manoela Lopes, Director of Technology and Innovation at Shell Brasil.

The seismic acquisition and data collection phases will complete the OD OBN qualification. The acquisition will consist of a seismic survey over the monitored area, and collection will involve recovering recorded data via optical communication. Data processing and interpretation will follow the usual 4D seismic survey workflow, aiming to assess system performance and its potential to support reservoir management.

"For the first time, we are developing in Brazil the technology that will enable seismic monitoring of pre-salt fields. This shows that investment in science and technology, through partnerships between companies and research institutions, can generate industrial development in the country," says Lílian Barreto, Executive Manager of CENPES, Petrobras' Research, Development and Innovation Center. "It is a commercial product of higher technological grade that improves our offshore operational efficiency, reducing operational risks and contributing to operations with lower emission intensity," she adds.

Sonardyne contributed with acoustic and optical underwater communication technologies, which allow the nodes to be controlled and data to be recovered in deepwater environments. The company also provides systems integration and engineering expertise, and is co-responsible for manufacturing the OD OBN pilot system in Brazil, together with SENAI CIMATEC.

"Seeing the OD OBN system successfully deployed in Mero is a strong validation of the technology and the collaborative R&D work behind it," says Shaun Dunn, Director of Projects at Sonardyne. "We look forward to advancing to the next phase of the project, which involves full commercialization and manufacturing in Brazil."

How the technology works

OD OBN nodes are sensors that capture seismic waves reflected from oil reservoirs. This information is processed in supercomputers, allowing adjustment of extraction and water and gas reinjection rates to stimulate well production. The differentiator of the developed technology is that the equipment can operate for up to five years on the seafloor, at depths of up to three thousand meters, being activated and deactivated remotely. Data extraction is performed through optical communication with underwater vehicles.

About Shell - Since 1913 in the country, Shell Brasil is an integrated energy company, with operations in the Oil and Gas, Nature-Based Solutions, Research & Development and Trading sectors, through its trader Shell Energy Brasil. The company is also present in the Biofuels segment through its joint venture Raízen, which in Brazil also manages Shell-branded fuel distribution. Shell Brasil works to meet the growing demand for energy in an economically, environmentally and socially responsible manner, evaluating trends and scenarios to respond to the challenge of the energy future.

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About Petrobras - Petrobras is a publicly traded company that operates in an integrated and specialized manner in the oil, natural gas and energy industry. Petrobras' expertise in exploration and production is the result of decades of development in Brazilian basins, especially in deep and ultra-deep waters. This has made it a world leader in the segment. Its business goes beyond oil and gas exploration and production, and includes refining, distribution, logistics, petrochemicals and power generation. The Company constantly innovates to maximize value and competitiveness in low-carbon businesses, aiming for long-term diversification. The goal is to launch and develop renewable sources in Brazil, creating possibilities to drive the energy transition movement while ensuring energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its operations.

About SENAI CIMATEC

SENAI CIMATEC is one of Brazil's leading technology and innovation institutions, dedicated to applied research and industrial solutions. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Salvador, it is a non-profit institution that synergistically integrates a Technology Center, a University, and a professional and technological education structure.

It operates in 44 areas of expertise, including Robotics, Automation, Energy, Health, Food, Supercomputing and Artificial Intelligence. It operates in a multi-campus model, with specialized units such as CIMATEC Park and the Sertão, Aerospace, and Digital and Creative campuses.

It develops projects of national and international relevance, such as the world's first autonomous underwater robot for equipment inspection in deep waters.

About Sonardyne

Sonardyne is a British, privately-owned, world-class offshore equipment and systems engineering company that develops and manufactures technologies, products and solutions for the global oil and gas, renewable energy, carbon sequestration, ocean science and defense markets. Our core strengths are navigation, positioning, wireless communications, marine robotics, monitoring and custom engineering, all within our mission of "making subsea work."

Sonardyne's global headquarters is located near London, England, where our engineering and manufacturing operations are conducted. In addition to the headquarters, we have regional offices for sales and technical support operations. These regional offices are located in Singapore, Aberdeen, Houston and here in Brazil in Rio das Ostras in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and we also have employees based here in Salvador at Senai Cimatec since 2018.

Sonardyne Brasil Limitada was established in Macaé 27 years ago and has operated since then with local sales and offshore operations. Currently, there are approximately 50 vessels in Brazil operating with our subsea positioning and navigation systems: drilling platforms, ROV support vessels, oceanographic ships, among others.

An important fact worth mentioning about operations using Sonardyne solutions in Brazil is that, to the best of our knowledge, in all deepwater exploration fields, Sonardyne technology has been used for positioning the metal structures that make up the subsea production system.