In a landmark achievement for Brazil’s offshore energy sector, the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit Guanabara MV31, operated by Japan-based offshore engineering company MODEC, has been named the top oil and gas producing facility in Brazilian waters. The recognition comes from the Brazilian National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), the federal regulator overseeing the country’s hydrocarbons sector.
According to ANP’s Monthly Production Bulletin for May 2025, the Guanabara MV31 registered an impressive average daily production of 183,948 barrels of oil and 12 million cubic meters of natural gas, making it the single most productive offshore unit in the country. The performance underscores the unit’s technological sophistication and MODEC’s operational expertise.
Deployed at Petrobras’ Mero field in the pre-salt Santos Basin, the FPSO Guanabara MV31 has been in operation since 2022. The Mero field, considered Brazil’s third-largest pre-salt discovery after Búzios and Tupi, represents a critical component of the country’s long-term energy strategy. Located roughly 180 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, the field is part of the Libra block, a production-sharing agreement operated by Petrobras in partnership with Shell, TotalEnergies, CNPC, and CNOOC, alongside Brazil’s state-owned Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. (PPSA).
The Guanabara MV31 is the first of several planned FPSOs destined for the Mero field, marking the initial phase of development in the region. The vessel has a processing capacity of up to 180,000 barrels of oil per day and can handle 12 million cubic meters of gas daily, reflecting the scale and ambition of Brazil’s pre-salt exploitation efforts. These ultra-deepwater reserves, trapped beneath thick layers of salt and rock, are known for their high productivity and are central to Brazil’s aspirations of becoming a top global oil exporter.
MODEC, which was awarded the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) contract for the Guanabara MV31, also operates and maintains the vessel under a charter agreement. The company views this milestone as a validation of its advanced FPSO solutions and commitment to long-term partnerships in Brazil.
“We are proud to see the FPSO Guanabara MV31 leading the nation in oil and gas production,” a MODEC spokesperson said in a statement. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams, the strength of our collaboration with Petrobras, and the strategic importance of Brazil’s offshore resources in the global energy landscape.”
The recognition comes at a time when Brazil is scaling up its investment in pre-salt oil production, aiming to boost output while adhering to stricter environmental and efficiency standards. The success of the Guanabara MV31 sets a benchmark for upcoming FPSOs planned for the Mero development, including the Sepetiba, Marechal Duque de Caxias, and Alexandre de Gusmão units.
With production from the Santos Basin continuing to rise, and pre-salt assets accounting for over 75% of Brazil’s total oil output, the performance of units like the Guanabara MV31 will be key in shaping the next chapter of the country’s energy narrative.
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