The key objective of the NPO program is to enhance the sustainability, efficiency, and reliability of offshore energy production and processing systems. Each project aims to address specific technological challenges related to the energy transition by optimizing processes, improving separation technologies, and implementing advanced monitoring and maintenance methodologies.
Collectively, they focus on advancing offshore operations toward greener practices and increasing the resilience of energy systems in the face of evolving environmental and operational demands.
NPO Projects
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NPO.1 Sustainable routes to produce hydrogen carriers from offshore natural gas
The objective centers on identifying the most sustainable pathways for producing hydrogen carriers from offshore natural gas. By employing advanced thermodynamic, environmental, and economic indicators, these routes will be optimized, ranked, and chosen based on the feasibility of various configurations. The project is designed to support the energy transition by facilitating cleaner, more efficient hydrogen production from offshore resources.
Technological Challenge
Advancing the technology to create sustainable hydrogen carrier production routes will be crucial for transforming the offshore industry toward greener, more resilient energy systems.
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NPO.2 Two-stage subsea separation of CO2 and CH4: spiral distillator and supersonic separator
Aims to design and develop a CO2 separation device tailored for natural gas flows in Brazil's offshore oil and gas fields. This device will be adaptable to different operational conditions, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency in challenging subsea environments. Its innovative design promises to enhance offshore gas processing by capturing CO2 more effectively.
Technological Challenge
Advanced subsea gas separation technology, addressing the challenge of efficiently capturing CO2 from natural gas in offshore environments, is a crucial step toward transforming the offshore industry for the energy transition.
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NPO.5 Pilot study and modeling of demulsification under subsea separation conditions of water-oil emulsions formed by Brazilian pre-salt crude
Aims to conduct laboratory-scale experiments and modeling to better understand the factors that influence demulsification under realistic pressure, temperature, and composition conditions of the Brazilian pre-salt reservoirs, especially the presence of CO2-rich gas. This research will provide valuable insights into improving oil-water separation processes in challenging offshore environments.
Technological Challenge
The project seeks to advance the understanding of demulsification in subsea conditions, addressing the challenge of efficiently separating water and oil in high-pressure, high-CO2 environments, which is critical for the future of offshore oil production.
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NPO.6 Methodologies for risk-based inspection of subsea equipment: application for electric submersible pump systems
Innovative procedures to define inspection intervals for subsea electric pump systems using real-time operational data are proposed. Leveraging machine learning, this approach will detect equipment anomalies through database monitoring and process parameter analysis, enabling the estimation of remaining useful life and optimizing maintenance schedules. This will significantly improve the reliability and safety of subsea operations.
Technological Challenge
The project advances the challenge of integrating machine learning for real-time anomaly detection and predictive maintenance in subsea electric pump systems, a critical step in transforming offshore equipment management.