Petrobras held a press conference last Thursday (27), initially focused on its financial results, but executives also shared updates on key projects, which we highlight below:
* New tenders for the FPSO Barracuda/Caratinga, now under a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model.
* FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão is expected to arrive in Brazil in early March.
* A strong 2025 ahead, with new platforms entering operation and others ramping up.
* Strategic focus on two key exploration areas: new reserves (Equatorial Margin + Pelotas Basin) and mature fields.
* Attention to exploration opportunities abroad while also maintaining and optimizing existing assets.
* The revised SEAP bidding rules now allow the winner of the first platform to supply the second, potentially helping recover delays.
* Búzios Field nearing 1 million boe/d production. This week, it hit a new record of 800,000 boe/d, boosted by FPSO Almirante Tamandaré’s startup.
What are your thoughts?
Tag: WSB
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Petrobras: plans, updates and challenges
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WSB tips
Petrobras SDSVs Opportunity 7004370497 with new deadline: Apr 22nd, 2025.
Petrobras hosted a live session to discuss hybrid propulsion for AHTS and RSV newbuild tenders, aiming for cleaner and more efficient fuel alternatives.
Subsea7 issued an AHTS with ROV requirement for Búzios 8. If you want more details, please contact us.
Foresea has formalized a new three-year contract for the drilling vessel Norbe IX (Santos Basin). With this agreement, the entire fleet is now under charter.
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Petrobras Outlines Ambitious Investment Plan
During Transpetro’s event launching the bid for eight gas carriers, Petrobras’ President Magda Chambriard detailed key projects and reinforced ongoing commitments:
• “Hit the gas”: Increasing local content requirements from 40% to 65% for goods and services.
• R$78 billion investment in Brazilian shipyards by 2026:
• R$58B for 10 new FPSO processing plants.
• R$20B for Offshore support vessels.
• 10 new FPSOs coming online by 2029 (seven contracted, three still to be tendered).
• 44 new vessels (OSVs & gas carriers) by 2026, backed by the Merchant Marine Fund and accelerated depreciation incentives.
• Commitment to repurposing vessels in decommissioning at local shipyards.
• Concern over pre-salt reserve depletion, stressing the need to develop the Equatorial Margin safely and efficiently.
• R$40 billion investment in refinery expansion and fertilizer plants across Brazil by 2026.
With this roadmap, Petrobras signals a strong push for national industry and energy security.
What’s your take, can these initiatives reshape Brazil’s shipbuilding and offshore sectors? -
Opportunity: new LPG bid
Transpetro/Petrobras to Expand Fleet with New Gas Carrier Tender
Transpetro (Petrobras) annouced the awaited public international tender for the construction of 8 Gas carriers to close in 90 days, to a total fleet after deliveries from 6 to 14 vessels.
The tender features two batches:
• Batch 1: 5x pressurized units (3x 7,000m³ capacity and 2x 14,000m³ each).
• Batch 2: 3x semi-refrigerated units (10,000m³ each), Gas and Amonia (to expand into a market Transpetro is not currently exploring).
“The expectation is that Transpetro will increase its transportation capacity from 36,000 to 108,000 cubic meters per month. This should be sufficient for Petrobras to meet its entire national demand,” says Daniel Buckley Chartering Manager at WSB. -
Sustainable AHTS coming to Brazil
Solstad Offshore announced that the AHTS Normand Ferking is on its way to Brazil. WSB, the owner of the largest and reliable market database, reveals that the vessel will begin a three-year contract with Petrobras.
The vessel is currently navigating around Africa and is expected to arrive in Brazil by mid-March. It is sailing under the Norwegian flag. Solstad assures that the journey is being carried out with certified renewable biodiesel (HVO), which ensures a significant reduction in pollutant emissions.
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Brava and Trafigura: agreement
Brava Energia has signed a contract to sell 6 million barrels of oil from the Atlanta Field consortium (80% Brava, 20% Westlawn) to Trafigura PTE, a global player in the trade and logistics of oil, refined products, metals, minerals, gas, and energy.
According to Brava, the contract’s pricing is indexed to international low-sulfur bunker benchmarks.
Production at the Atlanta Field is carried out by the FPSO Atlanta, which has a production capacity of up to 50,000 boe/d, can treat 140,000 barrels of water per day, and store up to 1.6 million barrels of crude. -
BNDES: R$6 billion for Naval Projects
The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) has approved R$6 billion in credit for projects funded by the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM) in 2024, the highest amount in 12 years.
This marks a significant increase compared to the period from 2019 to 2022, when only R$1.9 billion was approved. Additionally, the 2024 funding alone surpasses the total approvals from the previous seven years (2016-2022), which amounted to R$3.9 billion.
The FMM is a financial fund dedicated to supporting Brazil’s merchant marine and shipbuilding industry. This funding aligns with the sector’s revival, as WSB has been reporting. Several shipyards are reopening, and new bids for OSV newbuilds are emerging.
👉 Do you see this as a sign of a strong and lasting recovery for the industry? -
Petrobras and Tranpetro: updates bids coming
Transpetro is about to release the Gas Carrier New Build tender. Monday next week? (17/2). Let’s stay tuned.
The new tender shall come out to market in connection with the previous tanker handy-size being signed. Things are moving.
“Way to go! Transpetro/ Petrobras The industry has entered an inevitable (and hopefully virtuous) newbuilding cycle which in good reason may last for at least a decade. The time is now”, says Alexandre Vilela, CEO of WSB Advisors.
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Camorim: exciting news
Camorim has officially started a four-year contract with Petrobras for the LH C-Salvador, supporting platform operations in the Campos Basin. But this isn’t the only reason for celebration.
The company also marked the start of another four-year contract with Petrobras for the OSRV Aegis. Additionally, Camorim recently held the naming ceremony for the C-Albatroz, the third in a series of five vessels being delivered by Detroit Brasil shipyard. The C-Fênix and C-Falcão are already in operation, with the remaining two, C-Condor and C-Harpia, expected later this semester. -
Porto Central and Equinor: transshipment operations
Porto Central and Equinor have finalized a contract for oil transshipment operations at the port’s liquid bulk terminal using the Ship-to-Ship (STS) model. The facility, located in Presidente Kennedy at the southernmost tip of Espírito Santo, is set to begin operations in December 2027 after three years of construction.
Positioning itself as a “diversified energy hub,” Porto Central is expected to transfer around 1 million barrels of oil per day. The terminal will accommodate large vessels, including VLCCs and Suezmax.
“This contract is highly significant for both Equinor and Porto Central. It’s also worth noting that the terminal recently signed a similar agreement with a subsidiary of
CNOOC International and renewed its decommissioning and recycling services contract with M.AR.S. Little by little, it’s becoming a major player,” says Daniel Buckley, Chartering Manager at WSB and tanker expert. -
A memorable evening at rooftop
Yesterday (5/2), we had the pleasure of welcoming clients and friends for another relaxed and joyful evening at our Rooftop. The Carnival spirit is in the air, vibrant colors, great music, and an atmosphere of pure celebration!
It was a fantastic night filled with laughter, great conversations, and, of course, the energy that Carnival season brings. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us! Let’s keep the party going all month long! -
WSB.One: All information on your screen
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