A new 4D seismic acquisition technology has finished its first phase of qualification in the Mero Field in the pre-salt Santos Basin offshore Brazil.
The On-Demand Ocean Bottom Nodes (OD OBN) system was developed through Cenpes at Petrobras’ Research, Development, and Innovation Center, in partnership with Shell, Sonardyne, and Senai Cimatec.
The first phase of qualification involved the deployment of 84 units on the seabed at a depth of approximately 2,000 m and is being conducted by Senai Cimatec and Sonardyne.
“The deployment operation of the first 84 OD OBN units from the pilot batch is a highly significant step for both the program and the commercialization of the product,” said Valter Beal, innovation project leader at Senai Cimatec. “The success of this critical phase is a source of great pride and reflects the maturity achieved throughout development. We continue to advance toward the next stages of this challenging project.”
The technology was developed to support reservoir management, offering an alternative for 4D seismic acquisition, a technique used to monitor fluid behavior within the reservoir.
OD OBNs are sensors that capture seismic waves reflected from oil reservoirs. This data is processed in supercomputers, enabling the adjustment of extraction rates and the reinjection of water and gas to stimulate well production. A key differentiator of the technology is that the equipment can operate on the seabed for up to 5 years, at depths of up to 3,000 m, and can be remotely activated and deactivated. Data extraction is performed through wireless optical communication with subsea vehicles.
The qualification marks a milestone after 8 years of technological development, which included conceptual design, prototype manufacturing, laboratory testing, and over 2,000 days of deepwater trials. The deployment enabled validation of the installation system logistics. During operations, some equipment underwent validation testing for data transmission via laser-based optical communication.
“Completing the first deployment phase of the OD OBNs at Mero represents a decisive step in the maturation of a technology with strong potential to generate real value for offshore operations. The next stages—seismic acquisition, data retrieval, and interpretation—will follow in the coming months,” said Manoela Lopes, technology and innovation director at Shell Brasil.
The seismic acquisition and data retrieval phases will conclude the OD OBN qualification. Acquisition will consist of a seismic survey over the monitored area, while retrieval will involve recovering recorded data via optical communication. Data processing and interpretation will follow the standard workflow of a 4D seismic survey, with the objective of assessing system performance and its potential to support reservoir management.
“For the first time, we are developing in Brazil the technology that will enable seismic monitoring of pre-salt fields. This demonstrates that investment in science and technology, through partnerships between companies and research institutions, can foster industrial development in the country,” said Lílian Barreto, executive manager of Cenpes.
Sonardyne contributed the through-water acoustic and optical communications technologies that enable the nodes to be controlled and data to be retrieved wirelessly in deep water. The company also provides systems integration and engineering capability and is jointly responsible for manufacturing the pilot OD OBN system in Brazil, together with Senai Cimatec.
“Seeing the OD OBN system successfully deployed at Mero is a strong validation of the technology and the collaborative R&D behind it,” said Shaun Dunn, projects director at Sonardyne. “We are looking forward to moving to the next phase of the project, which involves full commercialization and manufacturing of OD OBNs in Brazil.”
The Mero Field in the Santos Basin is operated by a consortium consisting of Petrobras (38.6%), Shell Brasil (19.3%), TotalEnergies (19.3%), CNPC (9.65%), CNOOC (9.65%), and PPSA (3.5%).