Fluxo and Saab developed a special automation solution for the “top side” of Petrobras' P51 platform. The contract signed between Fluxo and Consórcio FSTP SA comprises the supply of 67 radar level meters resistant to marine atmospheres.
The meters chosen are the model 3300, guided wave radar from Saab Rosemount. In view of Petrobras' requirements, these radars will be manufactured with special construction characteristics, in order to meet the requirements of pressure, temperature and resistance to corrosion and weathering.
All radars will be supplied with stainless steel housing. Due to process conditions, some antennas will be manufactured with special materials such as Hastelloy and stainless steel with a Teflon coating. The use of these materials guarantees a long life to the equipment, even in extremely aggressive atmospheres.
Some of the level gauges will be used in high temperature and pressure applications, and may reach, in some cases, a temperature of 350°C and exceed 52 bar of pressure. No problem for the new 3300 Series models, capable of withstanding conditions of up to 400°C temperature and 120 bar pressure.
The Keppel Fels/Technip Consortium is responsible for building the top side of the P51, a semi-submersible platform, which is part of the decisive project for Brazilian self-sufficiency in oil, with the generation of five thousand direct jobs for the Rio de Janeiro state. The project has financing from BNDES, with a total value of U$ 370 million dollars.