Sep. 2012 - Petrobras has announced the start of oil production at the Baleia Azul presalt field in the offshore Campos Basin. First oil from the field is being pumped aboard the Cidade de Anchieta FPSO. The Cidade de Anchieta is one of two new production systems that Petrobras will put into operation in 2012. Initial production at Baleia Azul is a good sign for Petrobras whose oil production has taken a hit this year due to maintenance and unexpected shutdowns. The company has also announced plans to bring Bauna and Piracaba fields online in October. Petrobras holds a 100% stake in the fields.

Apr. 2012 - Oceaneering International has secured a contract from Petrobras to supply nearly 85 miles (135 kilometers) of thermoplastic production control umbilicals for the Whales Park (formerly Baleia Azul) field development project offshore Brazil in the Espirito Santos Basin. Product manufacturing is slated to commence in 4Q 2012 and be completed in 4Q 2014.

Mar. 2011 - SBM Offshore reported that engineering and procurement work is progressing for the relocation of the Espadarte FPSO to the Baleia Azul field offshore Brazil. The FPSO will disconnect from its current location later this year and towed to Singapore for the conversion and upgrade work, with first oil planned at Baleia Azul in 2012. The Baleia Azul field is situated in 4,265 feet (1,300 meters) of water, and is wholly owned and operated by Petrobras.

Sep. 2010 - VWS Westgarth, a division of Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies, received a contract from SBM Atlantia for sulfate reduction equipment for an FPSO installed on the Baleia Azul field. The contract awarded is for the design, supply, and delivery of a single-lift module seawater sulphate reduction package (SRP) system with a capacity of 126,000 bwpd. The system is designed to remove sulphates and other divalent ions from injected water in order to enhance oil recovery. The Baleia Azul field is situated in 4,265 feet (1,300 meters) of water offshore Brazil, and is wholly owned and operated by Petrobras.

Mar. 2010 - Aker Solutions received a $41 million contract from Petrobras to supply sulphate removal systems with associated equipment. The systems will be installed on the topsides of the P-58 and P-62 FPSOs. The removal units will treat and de-sulphate seawater for injection into the reservoir to maintain pressure, and control scaling and scoring effects in the reservoir. Aker will also provide detailed engineering, procurement, and fabrication of major equipment, commissioning and start-up. Both FPSOs will have a production capacity of 180,000 bopd; P-58 will operate on the Parque das Baleias (Baleia Azul) field and P-62 will operate in module 4 of the Roncador field offshore Brazil. First oil is scheduled for 2014.

Dec. 2009 - Petrobras signed a letter of intent with SBM Offshore for an FPSO for the Baleia Azul field, where first oil is expected in July 2012. Under the deal, SBM will lease and operate the existing Espadarte FPSO for 18 years on the Baleia Azul field offshore Brazil. The FPSO is currently on the Espadarte field; once it disconnects from this location in April 2011, it will then be modified and upgraded.

Nov. 2009 - The P-58 FPSO is currently undergoing work for its conversion, including the vessel's structural and piping renewal, tank coating and upgrading of the accommodation. The FPSO will operate on the Baleia Azul field in the Parque das Baleias area, north of the Campos Basin. Oil production will come from 19 satellite wells connected individually to the unit. The FPSO will be moored in a water depth of 4,593 feet (1,400 meters), and will have a life expectancy of 25 years. Keppel Offshore received the $165 million contract for the pre-conversion of the FPSO on Nov. 25, 2009. The vessel is slated to commence production on the field in 2012.

May. 2009 - DNV signed a contract with Petrobras for classification services for a VLCC tanker conversion into an FPSO, to be named P-58. The vessel will operate on the Baleia Azul field in the Parque das Baleias area, north of the Campos Basin. Oil production will come from 19 satellite wells connected individually to the unit. The FPSO will be moored in a water depth of 1,400 meters, and will have a life expectancy of 25 years.