Introduction

Imagine investing millions in an offshore project, only to discover in the final stage that your IT and Telecom environment doesn't comply with your client's requirements. The result? Fines, shutdowns, and rework that could have been avoided.

If you've been through something like this, you know the impact it has on the schedule and the budget. And if you haven't, you have the opportunity to avoid a costly mistake.

On our latest trip to China, we performed a pre-commissioning for a client and identified flaws that could have caused enormous costs had they been discovered only during the operation phase. The issues ranged from network racks with the wrong dimensions to network topology problems—details that, if not corrected in time, could have compromised the entire operation.

In this article, you'll understand why pre-commissioning is essential to avoid compliance problems, save money, and ensure your operation is aligned with Petrobras's requirements.

What Is Pre-Commissioning and Why Is It Crucial?

Pre-commissioning is a technical audit performed while the offshore unit is still in the construction or preparation phase. Its goal is to verify, item by item, that everything complies with the standards required by your client and to provide recommendations for correcting non-conformities before they become a bigger problem.

The major advantage of this process is that adjustments made at this stage cost far less than those carried out during final commissioning or, worse still, during the unit's operation.

In other words, pre-commissioning works as a preventive inspection that avoids rework, delays, and contractual penalties.

Main Problems Found During a Pre-Commissioning

During a pre-commissioning, it's common to identify non-conformities that, if not corrected in time, can generate high costs and even prevent the unit from operating. Based on the technical requirements demanded by your client, some of the most frequent problems include:

1 - Inadequate Telecommunications Infrastructure

• Incorrect structured cabling, using inadequate materials or lacking the required protection against electrical surges.
• Wrong rack dimensions, hindering the proper installation of telecommunications equipment.
• Lack of redundancy in critical systems, such as MPLS networks and satellite connections, jeopardizing communication availability.

2 - Connectivity and Data Communication Failures

• Network equipment incompatible with the standards required to operate on the Petrobras network.
• Lack of ANATEL certification for radios, satellites, and other telecommunications systems.
• Flaws in Wi-Fi coverage planning, impacting the team's internal communication. 3 Equipment and Power Problems
• Use of outdated equipment or equipment that has reached end of support (EOL - End of Life), requiring urgent replacement.
• Inadequate power supply for critical telecommunications systems, compromising equipment operation.
• Incorrect grounding installation and surge protection on antennas and radios.

4 - Documentation and Regulatory Compliance

• Missing or incorrect equipment certification documentation required by your client.
• Lack of licensing with regulatory bodies, such as ANATEL, for operation in Brazil.
• Non-conformity with performance testing standards for networks and telecommunications, such as Y.1564 (ITU-T) and RFC 2544 (IETF).

By performing a pre-commissioning, all these flaws can be identified and corrected before they become a critical problem. This avoids rework, ensures compliance with your client's requirements, and reduces operational costs.

How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Problem Later?

One of the most common arguments against performing a pre-commissioning is the cost. But let's look at it another way: how much does it cost not to do this audit?

Suppose an essential piece of equipment doesn't meet the requirements and needs to be replaced after the unit is already operating offshore. This can lead to:

Mobilization cost - Sending a technical team to fix a problem out at sea is expensive, including transportation, per diems, and logistics.

Operation shutdown - If the non-conformity prevents the unit from operating, this can mean losses in the millions for each day of downtime.

Contractual fines - Petrobras may impose sanctions and penalties for failing to meet contractual requirements.

Compared to the relatively small investment of a pre-commissioning, the costs of fixing things later are exponentially higher.

How Can Infraops Help?

Infraops has proven experience performing pre-commissioning on offshore units, ensuring your projects are in full compliance with Petrobras's requirements. Our technical team conducts detailed inspections, identifying flaws and providing clear recommendations for correction before they become a real problem.

Our recent work in China demonstrated the positive impact of this service: we were able to avoid flaws that could have cost our client millions.

If you want to avoid rework, ensure your unit is compliant, and reduce operational costs, get in touch with our team. We can help your company operate safely and efficiently.

Conclusion

Pre-commissioning is not an extra expense—it's a strategic investment to avoid problems, ensure compliance, and reduce unnecessary costs. If your company intends to operate for Petrobras, this upfront work can make all the difference between a successful project and a logistical and financial nightmare.

Want to make sure your operation is 100% compliant and avoid unpleasant surprises? Talk to Infraops and find out how we can help!

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