Petrobras opts to keep Constellation rig busy for 301 more days

Brazilian drilling contractor Constellation Oil Services has secured further work off the coast of Brazil for its semi-submersible rig with the state-owned energy giant Petrobras.

Petrobras has handed out a contract extension to Constellation for the Atlantic Star rig, which enables the semi-submersible to stay with the state-owned player for an additional period of up to 301 days. According to the rig owner, the extension will increase the original contract value up to $61 million, confirming the continuity of the operations that started in 2021.

This unit has primarily been used for well decommissioning (P&A) activities focused on the Congro, Malhado, and Albacora fields at water depths ranging from 270 to 540 meters in the Campos Basin. Constellation has confirmed that during the extension period, the rig is expected to continue performing the same type of services.

Rodrigo Ribeiro, CEO of Constellation, commented: “The Atlantic Star is the only anchored rig currently operating in Brazil and one of the few worldwide. We are proud to continue serving Petrobras during this extended period. This achievement reflects our confidence in the quality of our services, the rig’s integrity, and the exceptional competence of our team.

“It is a fitting way to close a remarkable year for our company. The extension brings substantial backlog to our fleet and secures approximately 170 direct jobs, staffed entirely by Brazilian workers.”

With Constellation since 1996, the Atlantic Star mid-water moored semi-submersible, which can operate in water depths of up to 2,000 feet (approximately 610 meters) and has a drilling depth capacity of up to 21,320 feet (about 6,498 meters), was upgraded in February 2011.

Petrobras also recently hired one of Constellation’s drillships for a multi-year drilling assignment off the coast of Brazil.

The offshore drilling player is among the three firms Brava Energia picked to deliver its first integrated development campaign at two offshore oil fields in Brazil.