Dear All,
WSB is pleased to provide an update on the current long-term tenders that are open to offer.
Tag: Shipbroking
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Petrobras raises execution requirements in new AHTS bid
A recent amendment to Petrobras’ AHTS newbuild tender (Opportunity 7004345558) introduced provisions that may have broader implications for future offshore vessel construction projects in Brazil.
Under the revised rules, bidders must now submit a preliminary agreement with the shipyard responsible for building the vessel as part of their proposal. More importantly, the selected shipyard becomes contractually binding and cannot be replaced after bid submission, except under exceptional circumstances, subject to Petrobras’ prior approval and proper justification.
The change goes beyond a procedural adjustment.
Belov shipyard (Source: Belov/Courtesy) Historically, shipyard selection has often evolved throughout project development as financing structures, construction schedules, equipment availability and industrial capacity changed over time. Petrobras is now requiring bidders to demonstrate a higher level of commitment between vessel owner and shipyard from the earliest stages of the tender process.
The amendment does not point to any specific market participant. However, it clearly reflects Petrobras’ concern with execution risk in long-cycle offshore newbuilding programs.
Another noteworthy aspect of the tender is the requirement for bidders to present documentation from a financial institution indicating their ability to obtain funding for vessel construction. Together with the shipyard commitment requirement, the provision strengthens Petrobras’ visibility into both industrial execution and financial readiness at the proposal stage.
The requirements appear designed to reduce uncertainty in projects involving significant capital commitments, local content obligations, complex financing arrangements and multi-year construction schedules.
For shipowners, shipyards and financial institutions, the message is clear: construction strategy is no longer merely part of project execution. It is becoming part of the bid itself.
As Brazil’s offshore newbuilding market gains momentum, this may prove to be one of the most relevant contractual changes introduced in recent Petrobras tenders.
What do you think? Is this a positive step toward reducing project execution risk, or could it limit commercial flexibility during vessel construction?
Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies.
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Special WSB: Por onde anda? LAB 152
Not every offshore vessel leaves behind a trail that is easy to follow.
Some spend years supporting offshore operations without attracting much attention. No headlines. No major contract announcements. No spotlight.
LAB 152 was one of them.
Built in 2008, the PSV entered service during one of the most significant expansion periods ever experienced by Brazil’s offshore industry. Petrobras was accelerating deepwater activity, demand for offshore logistics was growing rapidly, and support fleets were expanding to sustain the country’s offshore development.
Operating under LABORDE SERVIÇOS MARÍTIMOS LTDA, LAB 152 belonged to a generation of vessels responsible for the daily routines that kept the offshore industry moving. Cargo transport, platform resupply, offshore logistics and a wide range of support activities formed part of the essential work that rarely made headlines, yet remained fundamental to offshore operations.
With approximately 63 meters in length, a beam of 14.6 meters and a deadweight of around 1,448 tonnes, the vessel was part of a category that helped sustain offshore operations along the Brazilian coast.
And then, the public trail begins to fade.
Within WSB’s historical database, the most recent operational references identified for the vessel date back to 2015. After that, publicly available information becomes increasingly scarce. We found no major announcements, widely disclosed contracts, or easily accessible records explaining what happened next. That does not mean the vessel stopped operating, was scrapped, or left the market. It simply means that, from the perspective of publicly available information, her trail becomes difficult to follow.
And that is precisely what makes this story interesting.
Unlike other vessels featured in this series, the question is not necessarily where LAB 152 ended up, but whether anyone knows what happened afterward. Did she continue operating quietly? Is she laid up somewhere along the Brazilian coast? Was she transferred to another operation? Or is there a chapter of her history that simply never became public?
For now, we do not have that answer.
Which brings us to today’s question:
Por Onde Anda? — LAB 152
If you know, tell us.
Next Thursday: “Por Onde Anda?” Stay tuned.
Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies.
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SBM and Solstad – Joint Venture
SBM Offshore and Solstad Offshore have formed a joint venture to order a newbuild multi-purpose deepwater installation and construction vessel, with delivery targeted for the first half of 2029.
The vessel will support the installation of ocean infrastructure, including FPSOs, and is designed for operations in both shallow and deepwater environments. The project builds on the long-standing cooperation between SBM and Solstad around the CSV Normand Installer, which has supported SBM’s offshore installation activities for years.
Under the structure, Solstad Offshore will hold 50.1% of the joint venture, while SBM Offshore will own 49.9%. Solstad will act as ship manager and SBM will charter the vessel for its own offshore projects. When not required by SBM, the vessel may be chartered to third parties.
The joint venture has already secured an initial 14-year charter agreement with SBM Offshore, guaranteeing minimum utilization of 270 days per year, with extension options that could add up to 11 additional years.
The selected shipyard has not yet been disclosed.
For Brazil, the announcement is strategically relevant. SBM remains one of the leading FPSO contractors active in the country, with exposure to major offshore developments and future deepwater projects. While no Brazilian assignment has been announced for the vessel, additional installation capacity could support SBM’s global FPSO pipeline, a portfolio in which Brazil continues to play a central role.
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Karoon assumes full operatorship of Baúna FPSO
Karoon Energy has completed the transition process and officially assumed operatorship of the Baúna FPSO, formerly known as Cidade de Itajaí, in May.
The company acquired the FPSO from Altera Infrastructure and Ocyan in April 2025 for US$115 million, excluding transaction-related costs. Since then, Karoon and A&O have carried out an extensive transition program covering personnel, contracts, management systems and operational processes.
To support the handover, Karoon recruited personnel, transferred key service agreements and implemented new management systems, while securing all required regulatory approvals in Brazil.
According to the company, the transition was completed without disrupting operations. More than 80% of the existing FPSO workforce remained with the project, helping maintain operational continuity at the Baúna field in the Santos Basin.
CEO and Managing Director Carri Lockhart stated that more than 700 people participated in the company’s strategic initiatives throughout the transition process. She added that assuming operatorship of the FPSO represents an important milestone in Karoon’s evolution into a fully integrated offshore oil and gas operator.
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WSB Advisors — Open Tenders
Dear All,
Below is the latest tender activity monitored by WSB Advisors, including new deadlines and recently released opportunities in Brazil’s offshore market.
What has changed?
- Petrobras — At least 1x FSC: Opportunity 7004601531, new deadline June 9th, 2026
- Petrobras — Up to 2x AHTS: Opportunity 7004345558, new deadline June 16th, 2026
- Petrobras — At least 1x PLSV: Opportunity 7004549819, new deadline June 19th, 2026
Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies.
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Petrobras unveils R$75 Bi investment plan
Brazil’s offshore and marine sectors continue to receive strong long-term investment signals from Petrobras.
In two major announcements this week, the company confirmed more than R$ 75 billion in combined investments across Sergipe and Amazonas, reinforcing the strategic importance of offshore production, gas infrastructure, logistics, and regional marine operations in Brazil.
In Sergipe, Petrobras announced investments exceeding R$ 72.5 billion, including the development of the Sergipe Águas Profundas project, alongside initiatives involving platforms, fertilizers, and industrial infrastructure. The program is expected to generate around 28,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Meanwhile, in the Amazonas region, Petrobras confirmed more than R$ 2.8 billion in investments focused on expanding natural gas production in Urucu and strengthening inland marine logistics. The package includes the construction of 18 barges at Bertolini shipyard aimed at optimizing fuel supply operations and reducing logistics costs across northern Brazil.
For the offshore and marine market, the message is clear:
Brazil continues to expand its long-term energy and logistics infrastructure footprint — creating future demand across vessel operations, shipbuilding, offshore support, gas monetization, inland navigation, and industrial services.
The scale and geographic diversity of these projects also reinforce how strategic marine transportation and offshore assets remain to Petrobras’ broader investment agenda.
For more strategic updates, market intelligence, and exclusive coverage of Brazil’s offshore & marine sectors, visit the WSB Advisors website at cms.oneenergynews.com and stay connected to the industry’s latest developments.
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Baker Hughes extends deal with Petrobras
Baker Hughes has announced the expansion of its contract with Petrobras to provide integrated well construction solutions across oilfields in Brazil’s Santos Basin. The agreement strengthens the company’s role in offshore operations linked to the development of Brazil’s pre-salt resources.
The project includes the deployment of advanced drilling technologies, such as rotary steerable systems, logging-while-drilling tools and extended-life drill bits for deepwater wells. According to the company, the solutions are expected to improve operational efficiency and support access to subsurface reservoirs.
The work will be carried out jointly by Baker Hughes’ Integration & Solutions team and Petrobras’ wells team, also covering services related to cementing, wellbore clean-up, fluids and geosciences. -
Baúna projetct resumes production
Karoon Energy has resumed production from the Baúna Project in the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil, following completion of a planned 28-day shutdown for maintenance and revitalization activities.
Production resumed on May 13, 2026, after the shutdown began on April 14. Following the ramp-up process, Baúna is currently producing approximately 11,500 barrels of oil per day.
Karoon expects an additional 9,000 to 10,000 barrels of oil per day to return around mid-year, subject to the successful replacement of the Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) in SPS-92 and the recovery and reconnection of the PRA-2 umbilical, scheduled for early Q3 2026.
The maintenance scope included replacement of several piping sections, including parts of the production header system, upgrades to critical systems, and replacement of structural components and fittings. The campaign also included surface treatment, painting activities across several areas, and underwater hull inspections on the FPSO Cidade de Itajaí.
According to Karoon, the shutdown was completed on schedule and is expected to remain within budget. The company also stated that the broader flotel-supported maintenance and revitalization campaign is expected to improve system stability and support FPSO operational efficiency levels between 90% and 95%.
The Baúna field remains one of Karoon Energy’s core producing assets in Brazil’s offshore sector. -
MARKET NOTE | OFFSHORE & MARINE
Petrobras has officially postponed the closing date for Opportunity No. 7004345558, related to the chartering of up to two AHTS vessels along with the provision of specialized technical services.
The bid, originally scheduled to close today, May 27, has now been rescheduled to June 16, 2026.
The move further increases market attention surrounding what is widely seen as one of the most significant offshore support vessel tenders in Brazil this year, particularly for the marine support sector and potential newbuild activity within the country’s shipbuilding industry.
WSB Advisors will continue monitoring the next developments related to this opportunity.
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Open Tenders
WSB Advisors OPEN TENDERS
Dear All,
WSB is pleased to provide an update on the current long-term tenders that are open to offer.
New opportunities were released across ongoing Petrobras tenders. Below are the latest changes monitored by WSB Advisors.
What has changed?
• Petrobras — At least 1x OSRV 105: Opportunity 7004497861, released June 10th, 2026
Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies.
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ANP sets date for 2026 O&G bidding rounds
Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) has scheduled the public bid sessions for the 6th Cycle of the Permanent Concession Offer (OPC) and the 4th Cycle of the Permanent Production Sharing Offer (OPP) for October 7.
Under the concession regime, the upcoming round may include five marginal accumulation areas and 495 exploratory blocks. The production sharing model is expected to include 23 blocks located within Brazil’s pre-salt polygon.
Currently, 36 companies are registered for the OPC and 15 for the OPP. Companies may still apply to participate until June 5.
ANP is expected to announce the sectors and blocks included in both cycles on August 6, while declarations of interest and bid guarantees must be submitted by July 21.
The upcoming rounds reinforce Brazil’s position as one of the world’s most active offshore exploration markets, particularly amid continued interest in deepwater and pre-salt opportunities.