• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

UPDATE 1-Petrobras says halts Tupi well on equipment snag

Mon Jul 6, 2009 10:17am EDT

Stocks

   

* Petrobras suspends Tupi extended test oil production

Stocks  |  Global Markets  |  Brazil

* Petrobras says it did not detect any oil leakage (Adds bullet points, details, background)

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 6 (Reuters) - Brazilian state oil company Petrobras (PETR4.SA) PBR.SA said Monday it suspended test production at a well in the offshore Tupi field due to an equipment problem.

The massive Tupi field forms part of a cluster of offshore oil fields buried beneath a layer of salt far below the ocean's surface that hold the potential of turning Brazil into a major energy exporter.

Petrobras said it found a manufacturing problem with fixation bolts used in a device called a Wet Christmas Tree at well 3-RJS-646, part of an Extended Well Test (EWT) at Tupi.

"The well was closed for the operation to be carried out, and the EWT will be continued after the replacement has been completed," the company said in a statement.

Petrobras did not specify which company manufactured the equipment or when the well test would resume, but said it did not detect any oil leakage.

It added the incident would not affect the development of the Campos Basin sub-salt projects. (Reporting by Brian Ellsworth; Editing by John Picinich)



More from Reuters

Joint Terminal Attack Controller SSgt Clinton J. Herbison, a U.S. Airman from the 817 Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron (EASOS) takes a break during a night mission near Honaker Miracle camp at the Pesh valley of Kunar Province August 12, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Pictures of the Year

A look at the best photos of 2009.  Slideshow 

    The Dalai Lama jokes with a nasal spray after being asked his opinion on the swine flu during a press conference after his first lecture in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Valentin Flauraud

    What a wacky year it's been...

    Um, what's up the Dalai Lama's nose? "Oddly Enough" editor Bob Basler rounds up the goofiest photos of the year.  Full Article 

    A caution sign is seen next to a stock board at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney September 5, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
    Political Risk in 2010:

    Don't say we didn't warn you

    With the financial crisis (mostly) in the past, U.S. investors are eying a fresh start to the coming year. Here's a look at what speedbumps lie ahead.  Full Article