AIS’ subsidiary to deliver installation buoys for offshore project in Brazil

A subsidiary of UK-based AIS, AIS do Brasil, has secured a contract with what is described as a “leading Brazilian national oil and gas company,” to supply installation buoys for offshore operations in an oil field development in Brazil.

According to AIS, the installation buoys are designed for deepwater applications. The company explained that the buoys will help offset subsea equipment weight, reducing the need for larger and costlier winches while improving safety. AIS noted that it has developed three buoy variants, each engineered to provide specific uplift values based on project requirements.

The cubic-like design prevents unwanted movement on platform supply vessel (PSV) decks and allows for easy handling using padeyes and shackles, ensuring secure and efficient offshore deployment, the company noted.

“This award solidifies our long-standing track record of delivering modular installation buoys,” said Guilherme Martins, Business Development Manager at AIS.

“We worked closely with our customer to develop this new design, addressing their need for safer and more reliable operations. It highlights our ability to provide high-quality, dependable solutions while strengthening the lasting relationships we have established with our customer.” 

The buoys will be designed and manufactured at AIS’ facility in North West England. The first batch is scheduled for delivery in Q2 2025.

AIS noted that installation buoyancy systems are used for weight compensation during subsea equipment deployment and provide permanent buoyancy for mooring chains, jacket leg platforms, and flowline buckling mitigation systems.

The modular design is said to allow for customization based on water depth and upthrust requirements. Each module features a structural core designed for maintenance-free performance over its lifespan. Interlocking male and female spigots prevent module rotation during operations.

In January, AIS secured a subsea insulation contract for the Mero 4 oil field in Brazil, representing its fifth award for insulation systems in the region.