Petrobras starts fourth PLSV off Brazil

OE Staff Published Feb 19, 2016 2:14 pm ET

Sapura Navegacao Maritima’s (SNM) fourth pipelaying support vessel (PLSV), the Sapura Jade started work with Petrobras on 14 February.

The Sapura Diamante. Image from SapuraKencana.

The Sapura Jade is the fourth of a series of six newbuild PLSVs contracted under a long-term contract by Petrobras for deepwater flexible pipelay work in Brazil. Other PLSVs already in service with Petrobras includes the Sapura Diamante, Sapura Topázio, and Sapura Ônix, all of which started work on schedule or ahead of schedule and continue to operate at strong utilization rates.

Similar to previous vessels, Sapura Jade is equipped with a 550-tonne vertical (tiltable) lay system for the deployment of a range of flexible products in up to 3000m water depth for Petrobras’ pre-salt developments offshore Brazil. It is also fitted with world class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) developed and built by SapuraKencana’s Australian subsidiary, Total Marine Technology.

Following the Sapura Jade, the final two PLSVs, the Sapura Esmeralda and the Sapura Rubi are set to be delivered progressively in 2016.

SapuraKencana Petroleum Berhad entered into the Brazilian market with its first PLSV, the Sapura Diamante, in June 2014.

In November 2011 and June 2013, SNM was awarded two major contracts by Petrobras worth a total of US$4.1 billion to build and operate a total of six PLSVs for offshore deepwater flexible pipelay work in Brazil.

“SapuraKencana is committed to delivering its promise on the PLSVs to Petrobras. The commencement of our fourth PLSV demonstrates our confidence in our Brazilian venture and mutually, Petrobras’ continued belief in our ability to deliver top operational performance,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Shahril Shamsuddin, president and group chief executive officer of SapuraKencana Petroleum.

SNM is a 50/50 joint venture company between SapuraKencana Petroleum Berhad and Seadrill.

Earlier this week, Petrobras started production from the Cidade de Maricá floating production storage offloading unit (FPSO), in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil, in addition to the expansion of the country’s longest subsea natural gas pipeline, Route 2.