Petrobras has concluded the auction for the sale and sustainable recycling of the P-32 platform. The winning company was Gerdau SA, in partnership with the Ecovix shipyard. It is believed to be the first platform recycling project in Brazil.
The P-32 platform is one of the ten units producing in the Marlim and Voador fields, in the Campos Basin, and is being replaced by the new FPSO Anna Nery and Anita Garibaldi. The Campos Basin unit will be the first to follow Petrobras’ new model for the sustainable destination of vessels.
The sales announcement was directed exclusively to the national market and inaugurates a new stage in the decommissioning industry in Brazil. The sales process imposed technical criteria and requirements on bidders aimed at ensuring that recycling activities and the final disposal of metallic waste take place in line with the best ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices of the industry, with a focus on value creation, sustainability, safety and respect for people and the environment.
‘The units need to be decommissioned and we need to dispose of waste responsibly,’ says Petrobras‘ Director of Engineering, Technology and Innovation, Carlos Travassos. ‘As Brazil is an importer of this type of metallic material, we identified it as a good opportunity for the market, at the same time that we were able to promote a green destination for deactivated platforms and generate direct and indirect jobs within this process.’
Also read: Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling to enter into force
Recycling plan
After settlement of the winning bid, Gerdau SA will present the platform’s recycling plan, including all stages, from receiving the unit to the final disposal of waste. The execution of the plan will be closely monitored by Petrobras, in order to ensure compliance with safety, environment, health and social responsibility practices, in a sustainable and auditable manner, throughout the entire process.
The Ecovix shipyard has an operating license for the dismantling activity and a contingency and emergency plan to ensure the best work safety practices.
Also read: EEC kicks off sustainable ship recycling of Wan Hai 165
