Offshore Myths – April 1st
In Brazil, April 1st is known as Day of Lies, elsewhere know as April Fools’ Day. But today, WSB is breaking tradition by highlighting some of the biggest myths in the offshore industry:
⚓️ “Drill anywhere, and you’ll find oil.”
⚓️ “All OSV’s are the same.”
⚓️ “Anyone can charter a vessel.”
What other offshore myths have you heard? Share them with us!
Blog
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Special WSB: April 1
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Breaking news
• Constellation Oil Services has secured a contract with Petrobras for jackup rig operations. The Admarine 511, owned by ADES, will be mobilized for a plug and abandonment campaign in the shallow waters of the Sergipe, Alagoas, Ceará, and Potiguar basins. Operated by Constellation, the rig must be relocated from Bahrain to Brazil within 210 days. The agreement includes a firm execution period of 1,143 days, with an extension option of up to 472 days, along with a reduced scope of additional integrated services.
• TechnipFMC has signed a “major contract’ with Shell for the EPCI (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation) of the Gato do Mato project in the Santos Basin. While financial details have not been disclosed, for TechnipFMC, a “major” contract is greater than $1 billion.
• Transpetro – Petrobras Transporte S. A. has finalized contracts to modernize its fleet of offloading vessels, ordering nine Suezmax DP2-class ships newbuildings. These vessels will double the current capacity for offloading Petrobras platforms, reaching 1.35 million DWT by 2028. -
OSRV bid
Petrobras has released a classification bid result to charter up to two OSRV-105 vessels for a four-year contract.
Compagnie Maritime Monégasque (CMM) stands out in the process, competing with two vessels, Celerity and TBN. Camorim Serviços Marítimos follows in second place with D Hilda.
For more details, check the image or contact comercial@cms.oneenergynews.com. -
Special WSB: Story of Clara Vilela
By Rafael Bortoloti
From Horse Fear to Dreaming of Professional Equestrianism: The Story of Clara Vilela
The runner-up finish of 15-year-old rider Clara Vilela at the first stage of the 2025 RK FEERJ Beginner and Aspirant Show Jumping competition is another step in the inspiring journey of this young athlete. The event took place last weekend at the Sociedade Hípica Brasileira in Rio de Janeiro.
Competing against 47 other pairs, Clara delivered an impeccable performance, missing the gold by just two milliseconds. At the end of the 11 stages, the overall winner of the circuit will have the opportunity to advance to the professional level of equestrianism. The next competition is scheduled for April 13th at the Teresópolis Golf Club.
Living in Teresópolis (RJ), Clara recalls how the sport entered her life by chance, and how she initially had a fear of horses. Today, she balances her passion for equestrianism with her school life and her dream of becoming a veterinarian. This was Clara’s first competition as a registered athlete with FEERJ, the Equestrian Federation of the State of Rio de Janeiro.
“My mom is friends with my current riding instructors. I started the sport as a child. Even though I was afraid of horses, I was encouraged to try horseback riding, which changed my life and turned me into a passionate rider,” she says.
Clara competed alongside Voando Bay, her partner for the past seven years. He is the offspring of Voando Baixo, a legendary horse in Brazil’s national equestrian scene. Clara explains that the horse, nearly 20 years old, is highly adaptable and a great companion, especially for beginners.
“He’s a versatile, affectionate, and resilient horse with an excellent understanding of the rider’s needs and characteristics. He currently works in classical riding lessons, recreational riding, events, and even theater performances. He’s the love of my life. He’s very well-mannered and has excellent emotional control,” she shares.
After winning in 60 cm and 80 cm competitions, Clara is now focusing on 1-meter events, competing in classical show jumping. Sponsored by WSB Advisors and with lessons from Fernando Brazil, Clara trains two to three times a week at Equus Lúdico, with each session lasting 1.5 hours.
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WSB Advisors Breaking News
WSB Advisors Breaking News
• MODEC has confirmed a Purchase and Sales Agreement and a 20-year Operations and Maintenance Contract with Shell for the FPSO at the Gato do Mato field.
• Petrobras has identified hydrocarbons in an exploratory well in the pre-salt Campos Basin.
• Petrobras set a new CO₂ reinjection record in the Santos Basin pre-salt, reaching 14.2 million tons in 2024, surpassing the 13 million tons reinjected in 2023.
• Grupo Bravante’s OSRV Marlin Stolmen secured a 4-year firm contract with Petrobras, with two more vessels being mobilized for the same project.
• Transpetro/ Petrobras is contracting nine Suezmax DP shuttle tankers from Samsung Shipyard in South Korea, moving against the industry trend of prioritizing Brazilian shipyards.
• Petrobras released partial results from last year’s AHTS auction, with a focus on Norskan Offshore and CBO.
Ongoing Bids
• Petrobras 8x RSVs newbuilding: Opportunity 7004319394 – Deadline: April 28, 2025
• Petrobras 2x AHTSs newbuilding: Opportunity 7004345558 – Deadline: June 30, 2025
• Petrobras 2x OSRVs: Opportunity 7004326931 – Deadline: March 27, 2025
• Petrobras 3x WSSVs: Opportunity 7004331236 – Deadline: March 28, 2025
Want to know more? Contact comercial@cms.oneenergynews.com or visit cms.oneenergynews.com -
WSB tips – Open Tenders & More
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 8x RSVs newbuilding: Opportunity 7004319394 new deadline Apr 28th, 2025;
- Petrobras 2x AHTSs newbuilding: Opportunity 7004345558 new deadline Jun 30th, 2025.
What else is happening?
- There’s nothing new under the sun..
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More opportunities in Brazil?
North Sea’s term and spot markets haven’t developed as expected and rates for large PSVs are still holding at the USD 20k gross vicinity for UK, Norwegian sectors. The proximity to the summer season is not followed by consistent requirements as of yet. The surplus on available tonnage poises challenges to fleet over 15 years. Younger tonnage takes precedence.
Brazil has attracted some S&P and bareboat charters and attention to the Petrobras requirements is gaining traction as the oil national maintains its 45-50 PSVs hiring for the next 24 months cycle.
“The aging Brazilian fleet, combined with an only recent new building’s program make it the perfect opportunity for middle-aged tonnage from North Sea to find 4-8 years’ employment in Brazil at gross rates surpassing USD 50k. The time is now for bareboat contracts with purchase options if the foreign owner is able to secure a local partner with excess Brazilian tonnage to provide the flag coverage, or even for foreign flag with the risks it entails” says Pedro Pellegrini, Shipbroker Intern at WSB Advisors. -
WSB and sports
WSB Advisors-sponsored athlete Clara Vilela, 15, and her horse, Voando Bay Equus Lúdico, secured second place in the first of 11 stages of the 2025 RK FEERJ. The event took place last weekend in Rio de Janeiro.
Competing against 47 other pairs, Clara delivered a flawless performance, narrowly missing the gold by just two milliseconds. This result reinforces her progress toward a professional level in the sport.
“The competition was an incredible learning experience for both me and my horse. This result confirms that we are on the right path toward professionalization. It’s a highly demanding sport that requires not only skill but also deep synergy with the horse. With confidence, courage, and determination, we’re ready to jump even higher,” says Clara. -
WSB tips – Open Tenders & More
Pedro Pellegrini
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 2x OSRVs: Opportunity 7004326931 new deadline Mar 27th, 2025;
- Petrobras 3x WSSVs: Opportunity 7004331236 new deadline Mar 28th, 2025.
What else is happening?
- Thinking big. Bravante’s OSRV Marlin Stolmen entered into a firm 4-year contract with Petrobras, and the company is mobilizing an additional 2 vessels for the same contract;
- Transpetro goes against the current trend of investment in Brazilian shipyards for construction and issues an order to contract 9 Suezmax DP shuttle tankers at the Samsung shipyard, South Korea;
- Petrobras published the partial results of last year’s AHTS auction last Friday. The oil company’s focus was on Norskan and CBO.
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Normand Ferking in Rio de Janeiro
Solstad has confirmed the arrival of the AHTS Normand Ferking in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 7. According to Pedro Pellegrini, Shipbroker Intern at WSB Advisors, the vessel will begin a three-year contract with Petrobras in the second quarter of 2025.
Built in 2007 and sailing under the Norwegian flag, the Normand Ferking is equipped with an ROV system. It measures 89 meters in length, 22 meters in width, has a 760 m² deck area, and a bollard pull of 239 metric tons. The vessel completed its 28-day journey using certified renewable biodiesel (HVO), significantly reducing emissions. -
Gato do Mato: Shell confirms FID
Shell has made the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Gato do Mato project in the Santos Basin, an asset secured by the company in 2017. The development plan includes an FPSO with a production capacity of up to 120,000 barrels per day, with operations expected to begin in 2029.
The Gato do Mato consortium consists of Shell (operator, 50%), Ecopetrol (30%), TotalEnergies (20%), and PPSA, which acts as the contract manager. The discovery is a gas-condensate field located in the pre-salt, spanning two adjacent blocks at depths of 1,750 to 2,050 meters.
This investment reinforces Shell’s position as the largest foreign oil producer in Brazil and aligns with its strategy of developing efficient deepwater projects. “Gato do Mato is a prime example of our commitment to maintaining stable liquids production in our Upstream business while continuing to meet the world’s energy needs,” said Zoe Yujnovich, Shell’s Director of Integrated Gas and Upstream. -
Skandi Búzios: contract extension
Petrobras and DOF have extended the charter contract for the PLSV Skandi Búzios, securing its operations with the Brazilian oil company until September 2026. Originally set to expire in April 2025, the agreement, which began in August 2024, now ensures the vessel’s continued role in Petrobras’ offshore projects.
• Built in 2016, the Skandi Búzios is operated by the DOF/Technip FMC joint venture and is a sister vessel to the Skandi Açu, also chartered by Petrobras.
• The vessel features a 650-ton pipe-laying tension capacity, allowing the installation of large-diameter flexible pipes in pre-salt waters up to 3,000 meters deep.
• According to WSB. One, our offshore market database, DOF currently has 23 vessels chartered by Petrobras, including AHTSs, MPSVs, and PSVs.
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