Sixth pipelay vessel for Petrobras commences work
SapuraKencana has delivered its sixth and final pipelay vessel (PLV), the ‘Sapura Rubi’ to Petrobras.
The vessel commenced work in Brazil in mid-August.
SapuraKencana’s offshore operations in Brazil for Petrobras are being executed 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 six PLVs for offshore deepwater flexible pipelay work in Brazil. The contract extends over a period of up to eight years with an extension option of up to another eight years.
The ‘Rubi’ joins five other pipelay vessels that were delivered in stages. The first PLV, ‘Sapura Diamante’, started work in June 2014 and has been joined by ‘Sapura Topázio’ and ‘Sapura Ônix’. The final three PLVs, ‘Sapura Jade’, the ‘Sapura Esmeralda’ and now, the ‘Sapura Rubi’, started work with Petrobras in this financial year.
The 550-tonne ‘Rubi’ 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 vessel is also fitted with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) developed and built by SapuraKencana’s Australian subsidiary, Total Marine Technology.
