With an investment of approximately R$ 10 million, Petrobras improved its Integrated Operations Center (COI) in the Campos Basin. There are more than 50 TV monitors, which monitor, in real time, oil production processes and oil and gas flow in the region, located tens of kilometers away from Macaé.

From the IOC, it is possible to monitor in real time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the production parameters of 190 wells operated by UN-BC in the Campos Basin. The IOC also monitors stocks and draws estimates of oil production and flow, which avoids the temporary shutdown of the platforms; in addition to monitoring the operations and location of tankers and supply vessels.

The systems recognize any changes in the production process and, when necessary, an alert is immediately sent to the IOC, allowing greater flexibility in decision-making and increasing the level of reliability and security.

The next step is to incorporate digital technologies, such as Machine Learning tools, to find patterns between different classes of information and, in this way, increase the efficiency of oil exploration and production activities. The objective is to generate statistical analysis and be able to predict, for example, maximize the flow of oil and gas and even optimize oil treatment parameters from the platforms' industrial plants.

“Faster processing and more efficient algorithms help us to reduce risks and anticipate decisions, increasing the economic return of our processes”, explains Fernando Borges (photo), director of Exploration and Production at Petrobras.

Remote operational control 

The Integrated Operations Center also has connectivity resources and technologies that allow, with total security, the operational and production control of a platform remotely. Currently, 11 platforms already have control on land. One of the advantages of this model is the reduction of on-board staff, which reduces exposure to occupational risk, while maintaining the level of quality and safety.

The platform is “replicated” and operations can be performed remotely. Onshore control rooms have all the devices of an offshore. The operator on land communicates by radio at any time with the professionals on board and is able to control valves, pumps and other equipment for the production of gas and oil.

It is projects like these that elevate Petrobras' operational efficiency and safety excellence. The company continues to invest in technology and innovation as a business lever and also to promote the safety of people, the environment and facilities.