SapuraKencana's fourth pipe-laying vessel starts work for PetrobrasSapuraKencana's fourth pipe-laying vessel starts work for Petrobras

SapKencana said Sapura Jade had started operations on 14 February. Through its Brazilian company, Sapura Navegacao Maritima (SNM), which is a 50-50 joint venture with Seadrill, SapKencana is won two major contracts in 2011 and 2013 worth $4.1bn from Petrobras to build and operate a total of six PLSVs for offshore deepwater flexible pipelay work in Brazil. 

Sapura Jade is the fourth of such vessel after the Sapura Diamante came online in June 2014. Other PLSVs already in service with Petrobras include the Sapura Diamante, Sapura Topázio, and Sapura Ônix, all of which started work on schedule or ahead of schedule and continue to operate at strong utilisation rates, SapKencana said. 

President and group ceo Shahril Shamsuddin said: “SapuraKencana is committed to delivering its promise on the PLSVs to Petrobras. The commencement of our fourth PLSV demonstrates our confidence in our Brazilian venture and mutually, Petrobras’ continued belief in our ability to deliver top operational performance.”

Following the Sapura Jade, the final two PLSVs, the Sapura Esmeralda and the Sapura Rubi are set to be delivered progressively in 2016.