Sapura Rubi Starts Petrobras Job

SapuraKencana has delivered its sixth and final pipelaying vessel, Sapura Rubi on schedule to Petrobras, and the vessel started work in Brazil on August 14, 2016.

SapuraKencana’s offshore operations in Brazil for Petrobras are being executed there by its Brazilian joint venture company Sapura Navegacao Maritima (SNM), a 50:50 venture with offshore drilling company Seadrill.

In November 2011 and in June 2013, SNM was awarded two long-term major contracts by Petrobras worth a total of US$4.1 billion to build and operate a total of six vessels for offshore deepwater flexible pipelay work in Brazil over a period of up to eight years with an extension option of up to another eight years.

Sapura Rubi joins five other fully integrated pipelay vessels that were delivered in stages and are all now working in Brazil’s deepwater fields. The first vessel, Sapura Diamante, started work on 28 June 2014 and since then, has been joined by Sapura Topázio and Sapura Ônix. The final three, Sapura Jade, the Sapura Esmeralda and the Sapura Rubi, started work with Petrobras in this financial year.

“The commencement of work for Sapura Rubi marks the completion of our building program of six pipelay vessels to our customer, Petrobras, to operate in the ultradeepwater regions in Brazil. All vessels are now in operation, on time and on budget, highlighting our continued commitment to operate efficiently and effectively,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Shahril Shamsuddin, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of SapuraKencana Petroleum.

The 550-tonne vessel is equipped with a pipelaying spread, and two below-deck storage carousels, with capacities for 2,500 tonnes and 1,500 tonnes of product respectively. The tower orientation allows for maximum deck space while utilising a high-capacity 610 tonnes abandonment and recovery system. Sapura Rubi is also fitted with world class Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) developed and built by SapuraKencana’s Australian subsidiary, Total Marine Technology.