READING, United Kingdom -- BG Group has announced the early start of production from the Iracema area in block BM-S-11, one of the Group’s and its partners’ significant discoveries in the Santos basin, offshore Brazil. Petrobras is the operator.

The Cidade de Mangaratiba FPSO is the first unit deployed on the Iracema development and the fourth FPSO to date to have started up across the partners’ interests in blocks BM-S-9 and BM-S-11 in the first phase of development of the pre-salt Santos basin.

BG Group COO, Sami Iskander said, “The start-up of the Cidade de Mangaratiba FPSO marks first production from the Iracema discovery and demonstrates the excellent progress we are making in Brazil. With the Cidade de Ilhabela FPSO starting production by the end of the year, these vessels will add 82,500 bopd of capacity net to BG Group.

“Like the Lula and Sapinhoá developments, Iracema enters commercial production only around five years after its discovery. This fast-paced development in the Santos basin reflects the quality of the reservoir and our ongoing close working relationship with Petrobras.”

The Cidade de Mangaratiba can process 150,000 bopd gross and 283 MMcfgd gross making it the FPSO with the highest production capacity to be brought on in the Santos basin. Plateau production is expected in 2016.

The oil produced from Iracema is high quality and of medium density (30° API). Gas not used for reinjection will be transferred to shore through the Santos basin pipeline system.

BG Group has a 30% interest in Block BM-S-9 (Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., operator, 45% and Repsol Sinopec Brasil 25%). BG Group also has a 25% interest in Block BM-S-11 (Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., operator, 65% and Petrogal Brasil 10%).