Brazil, through Petrobras and international contractors such as MODEC, SBM Offshore, and Saipem, continues to lead deepwater oil and gas production, particularly in the pre-salt basins of the Campos and Santos offshore fields. These operations rely heavily on robust electrical and control systems installed on FPSOs (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading units) and fixed platforms.
In 2024, Uni-Cable was selected by an EPC contractor in Rio de Janeiro to supply marine power, instrumentation, and communication cables for two FPSOs: FPSO Almirante Barroso and FPSO Anita Garibaldi, both operating under Petrobras contracts in water depths of over 2,000 meters.
Uni-Cable was chosen based on:
Factory-direct supply for complete cable and accessory systems
Full DNV-certified marine cable lines
Fast production + export packaging optimized for offshore modules
Long history in supplying to harsh marine and oilfield environments
| Type | Voltage | Structure | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPRXCX 0.6/1kV | 0.6/1 kV | XLPE insulated, SHF1 sheathed | Flame retardant, oil resistant, halogen-free |
| BFOU 0.6/1kV | 0.6/1 kV | Mica tape + XLPE + SHF2 | Fire-resistant to IEC 60331-21 |
| RFOU 3.6/6kV | 3.6/6 kV | EPR insulation, SHF2 sheath | Mud-resistant (NEK 606), UV resistant |
| Type | Voltage | Structure | Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFR/IA/Pair | 150/250V | Twisted shielded pairs, XLPE + SHF1 | NEK 606, IEC 60092-376 |
| BFOU/TP | 150/250V | Fire-resistant pairs + individual shields | Flame + hydrocarbon + mud resistant |
| Type | Structure | Use |
|---|---|---|
| FOU (Cat 6 / Cat 7) | Shielded twisted pair, SHF1 or SHF2 | LAN, monitoring and safety systems |
| Hybrid Fiber Optic | Fiber + copper composite | Power + signal over risers and hull-to-turret applications |
Marine cable glands (Atex certified, IP68, nickel-plated brass or stainless steel)
Cable cleats (single/twin, flame-retardant polymer, DNV-GL tested)
Cold-shrink joints for BFOU and RFOU cables
MCT blocks (multi-cable transits) for bulkhead/hull penetrations
Offshore junction boxes (SS316L, Ex-e/Ex-d certified, with terminals installed)
Cable marking sleeves (oil and UV resistant, pre-printed per tag list)
All cables were produced in compliance with:
DNV, ABS, Bureau Veritas marine approvals
NEK TS 606 standard for mud resistance
IEC 60092-350 series for marine electrical installations
Fire performance testing:
IEC 60331-21 (Fire with circuit integrity)
IEC 60332-3-22 (Flame propagation)
IEC 60754 & 61034 (Low smoke, halogen-free)
Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) included:
Insulation and sheath thickness measurement
Voltage withstand testing (3.5 kV for 1 min)
Conductor resistance and continuity
Oil/mud immersion for 7 days (NEK TS 606 Annex E)
Identification per Petrobras standard I-ET-301
Third-party verification by DNV-GL Brazil and client’s inspection team was arranged pre-shipment.
Over 220 km of marine cable supplied across two FPSO projects
Cables drum-packed with stainless steel hoop reinforcement and UV/weather resistant wrapping
Glands, cleats, and boxes grouped per module for topside, riser, turret, and E-houses
Export from Shanghai Port via containerized LCL & FCL shipments
Documents included:
Packing list with gross/net weights per drum
Certificates of Conformity (COC)
Test reports and product data sheets
DNV certificates
Installation guide in Portuguese/English
Full marine cable range with tested compatibility to Petrobras I-ET standards
Cable + accessory system integration simplified logistics for the EPC
Custom packaging reduced offloading and sorting time on module yards
Fast production cycle: under 6 weeks from order to shipment
Multilingual after-sales service, including remote tech support in Portuguese
25% cost saving compared to European brands without quality compromise
Both FPSO project teams confirmed 100% inspection pass on all Uni-Cable marine products. The cables showed excellent bending flexibility and sheath integrity, even in tight tray bends and riser sections.
