P-51, Semi-submersible oil platform off Macaé coast, Brazil.
P-51 is a floating extraction platform in deep Atlantic waters off the Brazilian coast, positioned about 150 kilometers from land in water 1,255 meters deep. The structure measures approximately 125 meters long and 110 meters wide, weighing roughly 48,000 tons.
The platform began operation in 2009 and marked a turning point for Brazil's energy sector. It was the first time the country built such a complex structure entirely within its own borders, proving its industrial capabilities.
The platform represents Brazilian engineering achievement and how the country developed its energy production capabilities. For people on land, it stands as a symbol of industrial strength in the Macaé region, which grew around oil extraction activity.
The platform is not accessible to visitors since it is an active industrial facility in open ocean waters. Those interested in learning more about this type of infrastructure can visit museums and information centers in Macaé on the mainland.
The platform was entirely designed and built in Brazil, representing a rare case of self-developed technology for this type of engineering. This accomplishment brought Brazilian engineers and shipbuilders into the global spotlight and showed the country was not dependent on foreign expertise.
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