New FPSOs will enter into operation in Brazil between 2026 and 2030 to meet the energy sector’s growing demand
LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SES, a leading space solutions company, will provide service on its high-capacity medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellite network, O3b mPOWER, to Petrobras, the Brazilian state-owned oil company, to connect multiple new Floating Production, Storage and Offloading systems (FPSOs). The projects will go into operation in the coming years, expanding Petrobras’ oil and gas production capacity to meet national energy needs and contribute to global oil markets.
FPSOs are modern and efficient oil production platforms, responsible for processing, collecting, storing, and transferring oil to shuttle tankers, directly from subsea wells in deepwater fields. FPSOs offer the flexibility, capacity, and operational resilience needed to sustain large-scale offshore production in remote and challenging environments. Brazil is home to the majority of the offshore projects under development worldwide, and Petrobras is one of the largest FPSO operators on the planet, responsible for most of the country’s oil and gas production.
Operational since 2024, O3b mPOWER’s high-performance, carrier-grade, low latency, open standard MEO network is ideal for the energy market use cases like FPSO connectivity. Unique O3b mPOWER features such as high return (upload) throughputs and the ability to shift capacity between upload and download links provide the reliability, resilience and flexibility required to support evolving application needs and the massive amount of data generated by FPSO operations.
The demand for high-capacity connectivity in Brazil’s energy sector continues to grow as the industry’s digitalization advances. The ability to transform real-time information into faster and smarter decisions, resulting in substantial efficiency gains, is a crucial factor for the offshore oil and gas industry.
Ricardo La Guardia, Vice President Latin America of SES, said: “Since the start of service of our O3b mPOWER system, SES has become a key partner for our energy customers, customers with a focus on communications performance, resiliency, and consistency to optimize their operations and improve their efficiency. Brazil leads the world in new offshore projects. Petrobras' choice to power their new FPSOs with SES confirms O3b mPOWER MEO as the go-to platform for mission-critical energy operations.”
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About SES
At SES, we believe that space has the power to make a difference. That’s why we design space solutions that help governments protect, businesses grow, and people stay connected—no matter where they are. With integrated multi-orbit satellites and our global terrestrial network, we deliver resilient, seamless connectivity and the highest quality video content to those shaping what’s next. Following our Intelsat acquisition, we now offer more than 100 years of combined global industry leadership—backed by a track record of bringing innovation “firsts” to market. As a trusted partner to customers and the global space ecosystem, SES is driving impact that goes far beyond coverage. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com
About Petrobras
We are a publicly traded corporation that operates in an integrated and specialized manner within the oil, natural gas, and energy industry. We have expertise in exploration and production as a result of decades of development in Brazilian basins, particularly in deep and ultra-deep waters, which has made us a world leader in this segment. Our business goes beyond the field and the extraction of oil and gas. It involves a long process through which we transport oil and gas to our refineries and natural gas treatment units, which must be equipped and constantly evolving to provide the best products. It is our priority to operate with low costs and low carbon emissions, contributing to our commitment to sustainable development for a society in transition. More information is available at www.petrobras.com.br.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “will” and “expected”.
Forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict. Factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in our filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form F-4, such as risks relating to satellite launch, in-orbit performance, and satellite lifespan; risks relating to regulatory, spectrum, and international operations; cybersecurity risks; and geopolitical and macroeconomic risks. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.