Saipem and Petrobras open technical cooperation on Brazilian decommissioning
The one-year, non-binding memorandum covers well abandonment, subsea assets and possible integrated delivery approaches.
- Event
- First published on EPC Feed
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- 1 listed below
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- 2 min
Saipem and Petrobras signed a memorandum of understanding to assess possible cooperation on decommissioning oil and gas infrastructure in Brazil, Saipem reported on 21 May 2026. The agreement establishes a technical dialogue covering fields, subsea systems and related infrastructure. It lasts one year and does not create binding commitments. The announcement is therefore a cooperation framework, not an award of a priced decommissioning contract or authorisation to begin work on a named installation.
One focus is plug and abandonment, meaning the permanent and safe closure of oil and gas wells. Another is subsea decommissioning, addressing assets and systems below the sea surface. The release treats these as connected parts of end-of-life infrastructure work. Combining them within a technical discussion does not mean every future well or subsea package will necessarily be awarded under a single contract or follow an identical execution method.
The companies plan to examine partnerships with specialist businesses and institutions. They will also consider technologies, methods and integrated solutions for decommissioning activity. The stated objectives include improved efficiency, innovation and sustainability. These are goals of the cooperation rather than quantified project outcomes already achieved. The release does not assign a monetary value to the memorandum or identify a completed campaign that demonstrates savings from the proposed collaboration.
Logistical and operating alternatives are another part of the dialogue. The source specifically mentions consideration of drilling units and vessels, alongside improvements to existing practices for technical and operational challenges. This makes the framework relevant to the organisation of marine assets as well as the methods used at individual wells or underwater structures. It remains an assessment process, however, and does not confirm a particular rig deployment or vessel mobilisation.
Saipem states that any further development will require separate agreements between the parties. That qualification determines how the event should be tracked: the May memorandum creates a structured channel for evaluating future work, while later commercial arrangements would establish specific obligations, locations, schedules and values. For the Brazilian offshore supply chain, the news is the formal opening of that cooperation and its defined technical subjects. Recording its one-year duration and non-binding character preserves the difference between exploring a delivery approach and receiving a firm execution award for decommissioning infrastructure.
Sources
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