We are thrilled to announce that the closed voting for the WSB Choice Awards 2024 is nearing its conclusion. Very soon, you will have the chance to participate in the public voting right on LinkedIn, as well as on our WSB Website and other channels.
Stay tuned for the upcoming announcement of the nominees! To make sure you don’t miss any updates, follow our page and turn on notifications.
We want to hear from you! Comment below which categories you’re most excited about. The awards will be presented at our WSB Offshore Seminar 2024 in September.
Don’t miss your chance to support and celebrate excellence in our industry!
Author: Rafael Bortoloti
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WSB Choice Awards 2024 Update
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FPSO Almirante Tamandaré en route to Brazil
The FPSO Almirante Tamandaré has departed from China en route to Brazil. Built at the CMHI shipyard, the FPSO will operate in the Búzios Field in the Santos Basin and will have the capacity to produce up to 225,000 boed. In March of this year, Petrobras reached a cumulative production of 1 billion barrels of oil in Búzios, with the combined output of five units operating in the field.
This is the third FPSO to leave China for Brazil this year. The Maria Quitéria departed in May and is currently rounding Africa. It is expected to arrive in Brazil in the last quarter of this year.
The Marechal Duque de Caxias left the Asian country in February and has been in Brazil since May, about to commence operations.
Another FPSO in the final adjustment phase is the Atlanta, which left Dubai in March and arrived in Brazil in May, to work for Enauta. -
Petrobras: new tender for OSRV
Petrobras released a new tender to charter up to six more OSRVs, for contracts of 4 years firm duration. Vessels hired in this opportunity are set to begin operations by November 2025 or May 2026, depending on which of the two availbale batches Owners will offer for.
Only Brazilian flagged vessels (or REB) are eligible to participate. Proposals are due by August 15th. Petrobras is considering vessels built 1997 onwards, with DP-1 capabilities, complete oil spill response equipment and 750m³ oil rec capacity.
This tendering process comes out to the market two weeks after Petrobras disclosed the classification of their latest OSRV opportunity, in which almost half of the contenders were disqualified as a result of failing to comply with that tender’s document submission requirements, following revisions from Petrobras towards the end of that process.
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Ocyan signs contract with Petrobras for Búzios
Ocyan has entered into a contract with Petrobras valued at approximately R$ 750 million for maintenance and other maritime services in the Búzios field, situated in the pre-salt region of the Santos Basin, about 180 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro city. The agreement is set to last for four years, with an option to extend for an additional 320 days. The specific start date of the contract has yet to be determined.
For further information, please contact comercial@cms.oneenergynews.com. -
DS-17 and Equinor: a new deal
Equinor has announced that the Valaris Limited drillship DS-17 will undertake drilling duties for six wells in the Raia Project, located in the pre-salt Campos Basin. The contract’s total value is estimated at USD 498 million, covering standby periods, mobilization, modifications, and integrated services. The agreement spans approximately 852 days.
Drilling operations are slated to commence in 2026, with production at Raia expected to start by 2028. Currently, DS-17 is already engaged by Equinor in the Campos Basin’s Campo de Bacalhau until June 25. During this period, the contract allows for the drillship’s potential deployment in “alternative work.” DS-17 is an advanced ultra-deepwater drillship designed to operate in water depths exceeding 3,600 meters.
Additionally, Equinor has secured agreements with SLB, Baker Hughes, and Halliburton for supplementary services at Raia, valued at around USD 109 million. SLB will serve as the primary service provider. For further information, please contact comercial@cms.oneenergynews.com. -
IBAMA on Strike: The Why and the Consequences
The ongoing IBAMA strike has severe implications for the Oil & Gas industry, potentially resulting in a loss of between 80,000 and 220,000 barrels of oil per day. Delayed drilling and well connection campaigns are just the tip of the iceberg. The true impact is felt in the day-to-day operations, where a slower environmental authority leads to significant operational setbacks. Critical vessels enlisted in emergency response plans cannot be readily replaced, and production fields in need of maintenance face delays, risking operational integrity.
A close source from an independent oil company highlighted a specific case where a simple valve replacement on a well is stalled due to the mandatory approval process from the authority, which is now delayed by the strike.
The root cause of this strike lies in the outdated collective agreement for IBAMA personnel, last updated in 2014 and only enforced in 2025. Despite a decade passing, IBAMA remains one of the few institutions where employees do not receive incremental compensation for working in remote or hazardous locations. The career structure and plan, envisioned for a 22-year program, remain unchanged since its inception.
The industry is calling for urgent action, and it is imperative that the concerns of Ibama personnel are addressed promptly. -
New contracts for DOF
DOF Group announced charter contracts for AHTSs Skandi Jupiter and Skandi Mercury chartered to Petrobras three-years firm contracts with options, commencement 2nd half 2025. Both vessels sail under Norwegian flag and currently operate in the North Sea.
Additionally, DOF has signed MPSV Skandi Salvador, currently employed by Petrobras in the Libra Field. According to DOF the vessel has been contracted to support ‘1st level EPCI-SURF’ operations. The specific contracting company was not disclosed by DOF but our market intel team informed that Subsea7 is the charterer. -
Special WSB: Announcing the WSB Choice Awards 2024
Westhon through WSB Advisors, is thrilled to launch the WSB Choice Awards 2024, recognizing excellence across various categories. The closed voting has begun, and we are excited to announce that public voting will commence in August with the reveal of the nominated finalists.
Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to cast your vote for the best in the industry! -
Special WSB: A perk called “Follow the Café na Trilha”
Fernando Vilela, CMO of Westhon and WSB Advisors, cyclist, and YouTuber, received a significant recognition in April 2024. As the creator of the YouTube channel “Café na Trilha,” he earned the exclusive right to create content while cycling on the track of the second stage of the Mountain Bike World Series, the sport’s World Cup.
This prestigious stage took place in Araxá, a city in the interior of Minas Gerais, renowned as Brazil’s premier state for mountain biking. From April 19th to 21st, Vilela detailed the obstacles and challenges of the track navigated by the world’s top cyclists. He also provided comprehensive external coverage of the event, including unique and exclusive interviews.
Fernando Vilela as Café na Trilha Followers and fans expressed their gratitude on social media, thanking Fernando for bringing the excitement of the competition to those unable to attend. Additionally, during a weekend filled with adventure and cycling, Vilela and his partner Luciano Canal led a tour through the streets and dirt roads of Araxá with fellow cyclists.
“I am thrilled with the achievements on this trip. Being the only media representative allowed to cycle on the track during a time reserved for female athletes was an incredible experience. Showing the intricate details and challenges that competitors face reinforces the recognition of the work we do on the Café na Trilha channel. It’s a vote of confidence from the competition organizers,” said Fernando.
Brazil in the Mountain Bike World Series
After a hiatus in 2023, Brazil returned to the circuit in 2024 with two stages. The World Series features 14 stages this season, starting in Mairiporã, São Paulo, from April 12th to 14th. Until October, the competition will also take place in Scotland, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, the USA, and Canada, with events in downhill, enduro, and cross country—the latter being an Olympic discipline.
The Araxá stage featured cross country events, earning points for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Danish cyclist Simon Andreassen and American Haley Batten emerged as the big winners. Among Brazilians, Ulan Galinski finished 46th among men, while Karen Olimpio secured 31st place among women. Karen shared exclusive insights with Fernando Vilela post-race, available on the Café na Trilha YouTube channel.
The World Series, established in 1989, is one of the two premier mountain bike competitions globally, alongside the World Championship, which is held for one week each year. The 2024 edition will take place from August 26th to September 1st in Andorra.
Following the success of the Araxá stage, the city is poised to host two stages of the Mountain Bike World Series in 2025 and 2026.
Café na Trilha… from Rio de Janeiro to the World
“Café na Trilha” was founded in 2016 to share stories and positive experiences related to cycling. Beyond race coverage, Fernando Vilela offers tips on nutrition, training, and equipment, ensuring a high-quality ride.
Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, where the WSB and Westhon offices are located, Fernando has lived in Brasília, Espírito Santo, and now resides in Teresópolis. His journeys across Brazil have now expanded globally.
In late 2023, Fernando was invited by Specialized to Chile to cover the brand’s major launch. As one of the world’s leading cycling brands, Specialized provided Fernando an exclusive preview of their new bikes, accessories, and equipment. He tested two versions of the Epic bike: the Epic Race, now simply known as Epic, and the Epic Evo, officially launched on March 12th. Fernando’s presence at the event, as the only Brazilian, highlights his significant influence in the cycling world.
From July 22nd to 26th, Fernando will compete in La Leyenda Del Dorado in Colombia, an ultramarathon spread over five days. His photo graced the cover of last year’s Race guide and appears on this year’s event registration page, marking another milestone in his career.
Café na Trilha in numbers
YouTube
– More than 800 videos already published, always with exclusive content
– 228 thousand followers
– 36 million organic views
– 932.8K views per month
– 4.7 million hours watched
Instagram
– 134 thousand followers
– 3 thousand posts
– 77.8 thousand accounts reached/month
– 1.4 million content impressions
Facebook
– 16 thousand followers
– 12.8 thousand posts with engagement
– 454 thousand reaches per month
– 474 thousand impressions per month
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Special: WSB Advisors’ on FPSO Marechal Duque de Caxias Project Special
FPSO Marechal Duque de Caxias (Source: MISC) The arrival of the FPSO Marechal Duque de Caxias marks a significant milestone for Brazil’s offshore oil production capabilities. This state-of-the-art floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit, chartered by Petrobras from MISC, has a production capacity of up to 180,000 barrels of oil and the ability to compress 12 million cubic meters of gas daily. As it prepares to commence operations in the Mero field in the pre-salt Santos Basin, WSB Advisors has been instrumental in supporting MISC throughout various phases of this ambitious project.
Chartering Support Vessels
One of the critical areas where WSB Advisors has provided essential support is in determine the right type of vessel, selecting capable bidders and chartering the necessary units. The vessels CBO Copacabana, AH Valletta, and CBO Parintins have been engaged to perform tasks such as cargo runs from the supply base to the FPSO, the installation of the submerged water intake riser (SWIR), and the commissioning of offloading hoses. This logistical coordination is vital for ensuring the smooth and timely execution of the project’s offshore operations.Beyond Brokerage
True to its motto “Brokerage And Beyond,” WSB Advisors has extended its services beyond traditional brokerage. Collaborating closely with MISC and the engineering company BELOV, WSB Advisors played a coordination role in determining the best engineering solutions for connecting the SWIR sections on board the offshore support vessels. This involved detailed technical discussions and the pre-selection of vessels based on stringent technical criteria.WSB Advisors further facilitated the coordination between MISC, BELOV, and CBO, ensuring that all parties were aligned on the procedures and safety measures required for the project’s execution. This collaborative approach helped in identifying potential hazards and implementing the necessary precautions to guarantee a safe and efficient operation.
Inspection and Acceptance
Upon reaching the operational readiness phase, WSB Advisors hosted MISC’s international team of engineers and leaders in Brazil for the inspection and acceptance of the selected vessels. Raphael Montes, WSB Advisors’ Proposals Manager with extensive operational experience, acted as the facilitator for these critical discussions. His expertise ensured that the vessels met all operational requirements and were ready for on-hire acceptance.Success
The comprehensive support provided by WSB Advisors is our commitment to ensuring the success of the FPSO Marechal Duque de Caxias project. From chartering support vessels to coordinating complex engineering tasks and facilitating vessel inspections, WSB Advisors has demonstrated its capability to deliver beyond brokerage. This project not only enhances Brazil’s oil production capacity but also highlights the critical role played by WSB Advisors in supporting complex offshore projects.Stay tuned as we will present others tasks we have performed for this project from our engineering department.
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Petrobas new tender: LH 2500
By Rafael Bortoloti
Petrobras opened a bid for chartering of up to five vessels of the LH 2500 type. The contracts will be valid for 1460 days, starting in the first half of 2025. The proposals will be divided into three lots (see details at the end of the report).
The oil company requires vessels to have been built from 2006 onwards, 45 tons of bollard pull and 92 m2 of deck capacity. There aren’t specifications regarding the maximum or minimum draft or the length of the vessel.
Contracting Procedure: Bidding by closed dispute mode, with judgment based on lowest price classifications per item.
Important days
*Proposal submission begins: July 11, 2024, at 20:00. (LT)
Proposal opening: August 1, 2024, at 17:00. (LT)
For more information or support, contact us at comercial@cms.oneenergynews.com
*Batches and Starting Data:*
– Batch 1: Starts in February 2025, execution of 1460 days.
– Batch 2: Start in March 2025, execution of 1460 days.
– Batch 3: Start in April 2025, execution of 1460 days.
Opportunity number: 7004289829 -
Biodiesel in Marine Fuels: A New Milestone
ANP (Source: Agência Brasil) ANP (National Oil Agency) authorization to sell bunker fuel with up to 24% biodiesel. Building on the success of 2022 tests with 10% biodiesel, which achieved a 7% reduction in emissions, the new B24 blend is expected to achieve an impressive 17-19% reduction in emissions.
This initiative aligns with the current PSV new building tender, where the use of biofuels is mandatory. Petrobras is committed to completing an industrial cycle where engine manufacturers will ensure that the added biodiesel does not compromise engine guarantees — addressing a significant challenge faced by owners during this transition phase.
The B24 biodiesel blend primarily consists of soybean and bovine tallow oils. Notably, the ANP authorization is exclusive to Petrobras, with the biodiesel blending to take place at Petrobras terminals instead of refineries, ensuring stringent control measures.