An electrical fault has disrupted production at Karoon Energy's Baúna field offshore Brazil, prompting plans for a rig intervention.[9] The company shut the SPS-92 well in a controlled operation on 22 September after detecting a monitoring system fault.[10] Tests then confirmed a fault in one of the three electrical phases of the newly installed power cable for its downhole electrical submersible pump.[10]
The pump is now operating conservatively on two phases, rather than remaining fully shut.[10] Karoon estimates that about 3,500 barrels of oil per day will be deferred until it replaces the cable system, but does not currently expect the deferral to affect Baúna's reserves.[10] The company continues to investigate the root cause.[10]
Karoon lowered its 2026 Baúna production guidance to 5.4 to 5.7 million barrels from 6.0 to 6.7 million barrels.[9][10] The lower end allows for conversion to gas lift if necessary.[10] With guidance for Who Dat unchanged, Karoon now expects total annual production of 6.6 to 7.2 million barrels of oil equivalent.[10]
The company holds an option over a suitable drilling rig and has started securing permits, equipment and services for the intervention.[9][10] Timing still depends on permit approvals and services.[10] Chief executive Carri Lockhart said the new pump and cable system had operated for less than three months before the fault, and that Karoon was also pursuing equipment warranty and insurance recoveries.[9][10]
Sources: [9] https://offshore-energy.biz/2026/09/28/electrical-fault-triggers-oil-output-deferral-and-rig-intervention-plans-at-karoons-brazilian-field [10] https://company-announcements.afr.com/asx/kar/fc5bd588-bac3-11f1-95aa-924270a7d6c2.pdf Cover photograph shows FPSO Cidade de Itajaí, credited to Altera Infrastructure by Offshore Energy.