One Energy News

Author: Rafael Bortoloti

  • Porto Central: agreement with Repsol

    Porto Central: agreement with Repsol

    Porto Central, currently under development in southern Espírito Santo, has announced a strategic partnership with Repsol Sinopec to carry out future crude oil transshipment operations at its planned liquid bulk terminal. Operations are expected to begin in 2027 using Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) adding significant capacity to Brazil’s maritime oil infrastructure.

    According to research by WSB Advisors, Porto Central will become only the second public

    port complex in Brazil with infrastructure capable of handling operations at this level of complexity. The only facility with such capabilities currently in operation is the Port of Açu, located roughly 150 kilometers away.

    “The agreement is another clear testament to Porto Central’s potential as a key hub for VLCC-scale oil transshipment through ship-to-ship operations. Since last year, the port has secured major agreements with Petrobras, Equinor and CNOOC – also renewed a partnership with M.A.R.S. to develop Brazil’s first Ship Recycling and Decommissioning Yard,” notes Daniel Buckley, Chartering Manager at WSB Advisors and tanker specialist.

  • Market News: FPSO, investments and Subsea projects

    Market News: FPSO, investments and Subsea projects

    This week, Brazil’s energy sector has taken another decisive step toward growth and diversification with key announcements involving upstream, downstream and subsea segments.

    McDermott has signed a “sizeable” contract with BRAVA covering the transportation and installation of flexible pipelines, umbilical and subsea equipment for new wells in the Papa-Terra and Atlanta fields. The agreement also includes pre-commissioning and onshore support services. The contract value ranges between $1 million and $50 million.

    Meanwhile, Siemens and Seatrium have been selected to supply the compression systems for Petrobras’ FPSOs P-84 and P-85. The two units, central to Petrobras’ pre-salt expansion strategy, are expected to enter production by 2030. The total value of the supply contract is approximately R$ 2 billion.

    Last Friday (4), Petrobras announced a R$ 33 billion investment plan focused on refining and petrochemicals at the Duque de Caxias Refinery (Reduc), in partnership with Braskem. The initiative revives major projects in the downstream segment and includes pilot production of Diesel R and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), improved integration with the Boaventura Energy Complex and expanded investment in workforce development.

    Adding to this, Petrobras is now seeking to attract Chinese investment to support its naval and logistics infrastructure. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in Rio de Janeiro brings together major Chinese firms such as COSCO SHIPPING, Offshore Oil Engineering Co. and China State Shipbuilding, along with Brazilian shipyards including

    Estaleiro Mauá S/A, Enseada, Estaleiro Atlântico Sul and Estaleiro EBR (Estaleiros do Brasil Ltda), Petrobras and Transpetro will act as anchor clients with plans to commission 52 vessels and five FPSOs by 2026. The partnership aims to inject capital and technology into Brazil’s shipbuilding industry, aligning with government efforts to reindustrialize the sector after a long period of decline.

  • WSB tips – Open tenders & more

    WSB tips – Open tenders & more

    By Maria Eduarda Camba

    WSB Advisors is pleased to provide an update on the long-term offshore tenders currently open for submission. Several key Petrobras opportunities have updated deadlines, reflecting ongoing adjustments in Brazil’s offshore contracting environment.

    Below, the latest updates:

    • Petrobras SEP – Up to 1x PSV MUF
    Opportunity 7004436596 – New deadline: July 8th, 2025

    • Petrobras SEP – Up to 1x PSV GC
    Opportunity 7004436597 – New deadline: July 11th, 2025

    • Petrobras – Up to 17x PSVs
    Opportunity 7004439824 – New deadline: July 11th, 2025

    • Petrobras – Up to 3x SOVs
    Opportunity 7004460732 – New deadline: July 18th, 2025

    • Petrobras – SDSVs
    Opportunity 7004370497 – New deadline: July 31st, 2025

    • Petrobras FPSO SEAP-I & SEAP-II (BOT) Opportunity 7004338481 – New deadline: September 30th, 2025

    What else is happening?

    • Petrobras RSV auction has reached its final classification stage.

  • Petrobras and Transpetro: strategic meetings

    Petrobras and Transpetro: strategic meetings

    Strategic Meetings Drive Naval Industry Partnerships

    Petrobras and its subsidiary Transpetro are leading a series of strategic meetings this week between Brazilian and Chinese shipyards. The agenda, which has already passed through Rio de Janeiro and Pernambuco, now moves on to Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul, aiming to foster stronger industrial partnerships in Brazil’s shipbuilding sector.

    Other move

    This Friday (July 4), President Lula will take part in a ceremony marking the resumption of investments in refining and petrochemicals in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The event, held at the Reduc refinery in Duque de Caxias, will feature Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard and other government officials. The announcement is expected to confirm more than R$ 33 billion in investments. Updates on renewable fuels, energy integration, and workforce development initiatives will also be shared.

  • Petrobras Opens Tender for Up to 6 SOVs

    Petrobras Opens Tender for Up to 6 SOVs


    Petrobras has launched a new tender for the chartering of up to six Service Operation Vessels (SOVs), with firm contracts of 730 days and extension options. The opportunity is split into two lots:

    Lot A includes up to three SOVs, with expected delivery by June 2026.

    Lot B covers up to six SOVs, with expected delivery by September 2026. However, three of these vessels will only be chartered if Lot A is not partially or fully awarded.

    To qualify, vessels must offer accommodation for at least 60 people, feature DP2 capability, a gangway, a 200m² deck area and specific dimensional constraints as outlined in the technical annex.

    Proposal deadline: July 23, 2025.

    👉 Another SOV tender for three vessels is also expected to close this Friday (July 4).

    For more information, contact: comercial@cms.oneenergynews.com

  • FPSOs activities

    FPSOs activities

    The FPSO P-78 has departed Singapore and is now enroute to Brazil where it will be deployed by Petrobras in the Búzios field, part of the pre-salt Santos Basin. The platform is expected to begin operations later this year with capacity to produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil and 7.2 million cubic meters of natural gas per day.

    The unit was built by Keppel Shipyard,, while its topside modules were manufactured in Brazil, an approach that reinforces Petrobras’ strategy to expand local content in its offshore projects. The P-78 also brings together technical and industrial partnerships from Brazil, China, South Korea, Singapore and Spain. The Spanish engineering firm GHENOVA is supporting integration and commissioning activities.

    The vessel is part of Petrobras’ broader pre-salt expansion. By the end of 2027 the company expects to deploy four additional FPSOs in the Santos Basin: P-79, P-80, P-82, and P-83.

    “This is a special moment. The platform is already crewed, saving an entire month of pre-operational work. Another delivery completed and more oil coming soon,” said Magda Chambriard, CEO of Petrobras.

    More Oil

    The week also brought progress on another major offshore project. Japanese shipbuilder Sumitomo Heavy Industries held the steel-cutting ceremony for the Gato do Mato FPSO that will be operated by Shell in the Gato do Mato field. The unit, to be built by MODEC, is expected to begin production in 2029 with a capacity of up to 120,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

  • DOF and Petrobras

    DOF and Petrobras

    DOF has confirmed the award of two new long-term contracts by Petrobras, together valued at over USD 275 million, surpassing BRL 1 billion at current exchange rates.

    The AHTS Skandi Logger has secured a four-year charter, joining the ranks of other DOF vessels recently contracted by Petrobras, including the Skandi Iguaçu, Skandi Angra, Skandi Paraty, and Urca. Operations are expected to begin in February 2026.

    Meanwhile, the RSV Skandi Achiever was also awarded by Petrobras a four-year contract, with offshore activities scheduled to start in December 2025. The agreement includes the deployment of two WROVs and a subsea crane, reinforcing the vessel’s advanced subsea intervention capabilities.

  • WSB tips – Open tenders & more

    WSB tips – Open tenders & more

    By Maria Eduarda Camba

    Dear All,

    WSB is pleased to provide an update on the current long-term tenders that are open to offer.

    Open tenders:

    What has changed?

    • Petrobras Wells Plug & Abandonment in Shallow Waters : Opportunity 7004427678 new deadline July 1st, 2025;
    • Petrobras Up to 2x AHTS (NEWBUILDS) : Opportunity 7004345558 new deadline September 30th, 2025.
  • Nor-Shipping celebration

    Nor-Shipping celebration

    Last Thursday, WSB hosted “Highlights – Nor-Shipping” at our rooftop space in downtown Rio. The evening brought together around 30 leaders from across the maritime industry, representing various segments and including the presence of public sector authorities.

    With fine whisky, a range of appetizers and good music, the night was all about reconnecting, building new relationships, strengthening networks and exchanging insights gained during the five days of Nor-Shipping 2025, held earlier this month in Lillestrøm, Norway.

    To make the gathering even more memorable, we celebrated the birthdays of two close friends and industry professionals: Sean Buckley (Sales Business Development Executive at SAP) and Anidio Correa (R&D Environment Projects Lead at WSB Advisors).

  • Ibama: Offshore Energy Wind

    Ibama: Offshore Energy Wind

    Ibama: First Preliminary License for Offshore Wind Turbine Testing Site in Brazil

    Ibama has issued Brazil’s first preliminary environmental license for an offshore wind project. The license was granted to the Offshore Wind Turbine Testing Site, led by the SENAI Institute for Renewable Energy Innovation, and located off the coast of Areia Branca, in Rio Grande do Norte state, with a proposed capacity of up to 24.5 MW

    The objective is to generate environmental and operational data for future offshore wind developments.

    This preliminary license confirms the project’s environmental viability at the planning stage but does not authorize construction or operation. It is the first of three stages followed by installation and operational licenses. The timeline for full approval may range from months to years, depending on compliance and monitoring outcomes.

    Ibama’s technical review led to the implementation of 13 programs, including underwater noise monitoring, wildlife impact studies, professional training and stakeholder engagement, key actions to ensure the project’s environmental integrity.

    It sets a regulatory precedent and builds foundational knowledge for the country’s offshore wind potential, but, do you believe offshore wind has real space to grow in Brazil’s energy mix?

  • Offshore Database: WSB.One

    Offshore Database: WSB.One

    Datamatters –

    Paulo Cantergiani, Market Intelligence Intern at WSB Advisors, conducted a comparative study of Brazil’s offshore support vessels (OSV) fleet, analyzing May 2024 against the same period this year. Drawing from exclusive data within WSB. One, our database, the study reveals important trends shaping the sector’s evolving dynamics.

    AHTS vessels recorded the sharpest decline, dropping from 53 to 50 units, a 5.7% contraction. The reduction reflects a temporary gap in chartering activity, largely linked to the timing of Petrobras tenders currently being finalized.

    Meanwhile, the RSV segment remained stable, with 28 active units throughout the period, reinforcing the steady demand for subsea inspection and maintenance services critical to offshore infrastructure integrity.

    PSV numbers also saw a slight reduction, from 129 units in May 2024 to 122 in May 2025. a 5.4% contraction.

    The findings highlight the differentiated behavior of each OSV segment and reinforce the value of real-time and data-driven decision-making. In a volatile market, access to accurate and granular fleet information remains a key asset for anticipating shifts and aligning commercial strategies.

    More details in the infographic below or by subscribing to our WSB. One database.

    WSB – We Support Your Business

  • Suriname on spotlight

    Suriname on spotlight

    Intcom Solutions, a Westhon company, the technology lead of our group, recently completed a productive week in Suriname. Headed by Alvaro Antunes, Intcom CEO, who also represented WSB Advisors and our partners in technology IDENTEC SOLUTIONS, presented a portfolio of advanced technology and artificial intelligence solutions tailored to the naval and offshore sectors.

    The initiative was part of a business mission organized by SEBRAE (Brazilian Support Service for Micro and Small Enterprises) and included a stop in Guyana—two countries that are quickly rising in strategic importance within South America’s energy landscape.

    Alvaro held high-level meetings with key stakeholders such as ExxonMobil, MODEC, Halliburton, SBM Offshore, Noble Corporation and SLB as well as with port authorities and local players. The objective was clear: to promote meaningful partnerships and demonstrate how Brazilian innovation can contribute decisively to the region’s offshore growth.

    Guyana is on track to reach a production milestone of approximately 1 million barrels of oil per day by 2027, a volume that could rival Brazil’s Campos Basin. Suriname, meanwhile, is preparing for a historic turning point: the beginning of offshore oil production. This week, SBM announced the award of the contract for the FPSO “GranMorgu,” the country’s first floating production unit, owned by TotalEnergies.

    “It is an honor for us to take part in such a defining moment for the economic and industrial trajectory of these nations—especially Suriname,” stated Antunes.