Sulzer and FMC Technologies have received a subsea multiphase boosting pump contract to upgrade one of the pumping modules in Shell’s Parque das Conchas, a deepwater oil field off the coast of Brazil. The pump modifications suit the specifics of the oil field with a high shut-in pressure of 517 bar (7 500 psi). They meet Shell’s maintenance and service needs with high reliability and short turnaround intervention.

The Parque das Conchas, also known as the Shell BC-10 field, is situated in deep water, approximately 120 km (75 miles) southeast of the Brazilian coastal city of Vitória. The BC-10 asset has water depths ranging from 1 500 to 2 000 meters. It is operated by Shell, with a 50% working interest. ONGC Videsh and Qatar Petroleum International are joint venture partners with 27% and 23%, respectively.

A key part of the success of the project has been the collaboration between Shell, FMC Technologies, and Sulzer. The subsea pump will be manufactured from a global supply chain with a large amount of assembly and testing conducted at Sulzer’s facilities in the United Kingdom.

The advantage of the mudline pump is that it fits into an existing infrastructure with minor and cost-efficient modifications, yet is smaller and lighter than the pump it replaces. Smaller does not mean less performance: The pump achieves the necessary oil volume and boosting outputs.

This first subsea pump for Shell from FMC Technologies and Sulzer will be launched in the field in 2017. It will demonstrate the pump’s capability to maintain yield levels and achieve excellent reliability targets in the harsh deep-sea environments.

About Sulzer

Sulzer offers a broad range of products and services for a large variety of applications. Based on our deep understanding of industry needs, our long experience, strong technical competencies, and continuous innovation, we can provide you outstanding reliability and performance.

Experience how Sulzer helps to cover the global demand for oil and gas. Pumps for up-, mid- and downstream applications, separation and process technologies for downstream applications, as well as services for rotating equipment are key elements of our portfolio.

About FMC Technologies

FMC Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FTI) is the global market leader in subsea systems and a leading provider of technologies and services to the oil and gas industry. We help our customers overcome their most difficult challenges, such as improving shale and subsea infrastructures and operations to reduce cost, maintain uptime, and maximize oil and gas recovery. The company has approximately 16,500 employees and operates 29 major production facilities and services bases in 18 countries.

About Royal Dutch Shell plc

Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 70 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects.