The federal government announced a significant change last May 14: Prates has resigned and Magda Chambriard will succeed him as the head of the Brazilian state oil company Petrobras.
Chambriard, who previously served as the director general of Brazil’s oil and natural gas regulatory agency, ANP, from 2008 to 2016, is notably the only woman to have held that position. The company disclosed that Prates had requested a meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the early termination of his term.
Newbuilding tender: Petrobras opens for all tenderers (no pre-qualification). Also, PEOTRAM only demanded upon contract commencement. Maximum of 4 vessels per bidder remains.
AHTS: New tender coming still within May 2024.
OSRV: New tender coming November 2024.
PSV: Three of five tenders still coming out this year. More flexibility: Mob and demob to be allowed on foreign flag vessels offers + 60 days firm offer short from originally 120 days added of automatic 60 days validation only if offer qualify.
PSV 2025: Two tenders already confirmed for 2025.
These news from LOEP. US-SUB demands and tenders not included on this note.
The FPSO Atlanta arrived in Brazil this week and has already started anchoring operations in the field of the same name, in the Santos Basin. Its arrival is on schedule as planned by the company, which aims to start exploratory activities in August this year.
Built by Yinson, the vessel has the capacity to process 50,000 barrels of oil per day, 140,000 barrels of water per day, and store 1.6 million barrels of oil. The FPSO Atlanta and all exploration in the region are expected to create jobs, new charter contracts for offshore support vessels, and boost the national economy.
As reported by us last month, six AHTS vessels have already been contracted, five from GRUPO CBO (Parintins, AH Valetta, Bossa Nova, Iguaçu, and Endeavour) and one from Bram (Kirt Chouest). However, it is only a matter of time before the company opens up new chartering opportunities.
Another FPSO on its way to Brazil that promises to stir the market is the Maria Quitéria, which left China a week ago, and will be electric. This vessel, also built by Yinson, will operate for Petrobras in the Jubarte Field in the Campos Basin, with an estimated oil production of 100,000 barrels per day starting in 2025.
Up to 21 PSVs
10 vessels that were previously qualified were now awarded (Bram Búzios, Batuíra, Prion, Starnav Scorpious, Sealink 178, Posidonia Lion, WM Pacific, Allie Chouest, Roger White and Clarence Triche).
1 vessel was enabled (Standard Defender) and six proposals remain under analysis.
RSV
2 vessels were awarded: 1 from Solstad (Normand Poseidon) and 1 from Oceânica, (Oceanicasub XVI).
Oceânica still has 1 vessel that was enabled (Oceanicasub XIX) and 1 under diligence (Oceanicasub XVII).
All vessels from above were offered under Brazilian flag/REB.
9 vessels from Bram (Deborah Kay, Bongo, Paulo Cunha, Wildebeest, Joe Griffin, Santos Service, Spirit, Bravo and Eland) were awarded in the previous partial result.
AHTS-R
4 Brazilian flag/REB vessels were awarded: 2 from Bram (Atlas and Titan), 1 from DOF (Skandi Botafogo) and 1 from Solstad (Normand Sagaris).
2 vessels were enabled: 1 from Oceânica, (Oceanicasub XIII) and 1 from Solstad (Normand Ferking), offered under REB.
3 vessels remain under diligence: Asso Trentuno, Skandi Jupiter and Skandi Mercury.
Up to 7 OSRVs
Petrobras released the final result of the “Up to 7 OSRVs” tender. 7 vessels that were previously qualified, were now awarded (Aegis, Marlin Stolmen, Marlin Flamengo, Saveiros Pelicano, Mar Limpo II, Stratis Z and Asgaard Sophia).
Following the award as “PSV 4500 general cargo”, Bram’s Robert Adams is en route to Rio de Janeiro. She will commence a 1460-days firm charter with Petrobras alongside another PSV from Bram’s fleet; Juan C which has recently arrived in Brazil. After a long period prioritizing the hiring of national tonnage, Petrobras will be chartering both vessels under foreign flag.
We at Westhon and WSB Advisors, as proud members of Bratecc, were delighted to host, alongside Ronaldo Lima of our Board of Directors, Admiral Lima Filho’s visit to Port Houston this past Tuesday, May 7th, as part of our involvement in OTC Houston 2024.
A heartfelt thank you to Bob Miltenberger, CEO NearshoreNetworks Miltenberger, Membership Director at Bratecc; John Moseley, Chief Commercial Officer at Port Houston; and Ricardo Arias, Trade Development Manager at Port Houston, for their instrumental roles in coordinating this significant event.
Port Houston exemplifies remarkable collaboration within one of the world’s largest port infrastructures. Admiral Filho’s visit has provided us with invaluable insights and inspiration for shaping future regulatory frameworks and fostering business development.
We are eager to leverage these insights to refine our strategies and further enhance our operational capabilities.
Enauta released a summary of its operational results for April and also for the first four months of 2024. The Brazilian oil company produced almost 600 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (boe) in the month of April, an average of 20 thousand barrels per day.
The company highlights consistent production from ATLANTA, which delivered an average of 20 thousand barrels per day in April, surpassing the mark of 30 million boe produced since the start of the Early System in May/18.
The FPSO Atlanta will begin docking in the next few days. At the end of April, the campaign to connect the subsea equipment for the new wells in this FPSO began, reinforcing the expectation of production starting in August/2024.
Manati is currently undergoing a maintenance shutdown for selected platform systems, not recording production in April, which may justify part of the 19.5% decline in the company’s production compared to March this year.
Even so, Enauta closed the month with an increase in the value of its shares, leaving the market hopeful for the second half of the year.
“The company has been shaking up the Brazilian market. Just from the end of 2023 until today, it sold 20% of the Atlanta and Oliva fields to the American WAO and bought Qatar Energy’s 23% stake in Parque das Conchas, in addition to the Uruguá and Tambaú and now production is about to start with the FPSO Atlanta, which should arrive in Brazil later this month”, says Omar Darian, Chartering Manager at WSB Advisors.
Petrobras released the final qualification result of the “Up to 7 OSRVs” tender. A total of 7 Brazilian flag/REB vessels have been qualified, three of which from Grupo Bravante (Netuno Offshore, Marlin Navegação and Brasbunker Participações).
Petrobras released another partial result of the AHTS-R tender and the appeal deadline for those disqualified was announced.
The Norskan vessels (DOF), already qualified, were awarded. Asso Trentuno, from Asso Marítima, is now in due diligence and only needs to evaluate the proposals for lot F2 to complete the tender.
Petrobras received 6 proposals for the EPRD Congro submerged buoy decommissioning tender. Leading the pack is Oceanpact, potentially poised to win the contract with a slender 10% price advantage over the two contenders getting anywhere closer.
This project presents unique challenges, as the buoy is currently moored submerged under positive pressure. It requires precise disconnection and controlled refloatation—a complex engineering feat. The initial installation 10 years ago was equally demanding, involving torpedo anchors enhanced by additional weight to ensure proper inclination and stability.
Petrobras is evaluating the results of their end of 2023 tender to charter up to 21 PSVs. As of now, 10 vessels qualified, including 4 under foreign flags. Bram leads with four vessels qualified, three of which are foreign-flagged. Wilson Sons follows with two.
“Out of the 16 vessels expected to be hired—down from the initially anticipated 21—the discrepancy largely stems from budget constraints and higher-than-forecasted rates”, says Omar Darian, Chartering Manager at WSB. Additionally, the chartering Certificate by ANTAQ requires annual renewal, which remains a significant consideration for foreign-flagged vessels. Six additional offers are undergoing diligence.
Petrobras has initiated a new series of tenders. This invitation to tender includes the chartering of up to 5 Oil Spill Recovery Vessels (OSRVs 750), segmented into two distinct batches based on flag requirements—Batch A for vessels under the Brazilian flag and Batch B for those with foreign flags. These vessels should be constructed post-1997, equipped with DP-1 systems, and offer at least 150m² of free deck space.
Key Details:
Batch A Delivery: March 2025 or within 180 days post-contract signing.
Batch B Delivery: July 2025 or within 270 days post-contract signing.
Contract Term: Four years, firm.
Additionally, Petrobras seeks to charter up to 2 Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) that were built within the last 20 years. Both Brazilian and foreign flags will be considered, with a preference for Brazilian flags. These contracts also span four years and require delivery by May 2025 or within 240 days following contract signing.
Submission Deadline: May 15th.
“We notice a change in this tender round: fewer vessels than usual and incremented age tolerance on the OSRVs. Petrobras is reacting to the market conditions”- says Omar Darian, Chartering Manager with WSB Advisors.
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