Audacia pipelay vessel;
Allseas, a Switzerland-based contractor specializing in offshore pipeline installation, heavy lift, and subsea construction, has started preparations for a major project in Brazil’s second-largest oil field, Búzios. The company, with its main engineering and project management office in the Netherlands, has established a new office in Rio de Janeiro. This location will act as the central hub for its latest contract with Petrobras, secured through a competitive bidding process.
Frans den Hartogh, Project Director, stated: “This award reaffirms our position as a leading player in one of the world’s most prolific deepwater regions and underscores our ability to execute complex, large-scale offshore projects.” The contract involves designing, procuring, constructing, and installing subsea infrastructure for the Búzios-10 pre-salt project, located 180 kilometers off Rio de Janeiro’s coast. This marks Allseas’ return to Brazil’s offshore market, building on previous work installing export pipelines for Petrobras’ Rota 1, Rota 2, and Rota 3 projects.
The company emphasized: “Exciting times at Allseas as we kick off preparations for Búzios-10, one of the largest offshore pipeline installation projects in our 40-year history.” The offshore phase is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026. Allseas is finalizing subcontracts for seamless linepipe production, internal cladding, and flexible joints for steel catenary risers. The Audacia pipelay vessel will install 111 kilometers of rigid risers and flowlines in waters deeper than 2 kilometers. These will connect 16 wells to a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit using a ‘lazy wave’ steel riser configuration.
Andre Luis Jucá De Melo, Regional Director, noted: “We are excited about returning to Brazil after the successes of the past with high hopes for continuation of projects in the region in the future, by hiring and training local talent and investing in the Brazilian industry.” The project will employ 40% local labor, creating 2,000 jobs and supporting Brazil’s offshore supply chain. Key components, including flex joints, pipeline end terminations, and jumpers, will finalize the system’s connections.
The Búzios field, operated by Petrobras with an 88.98% stake, is part of a consortium with CNOOC (7.34%), CNPC (3.67%), and Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. as manager. Recently, Petrobras began operating the FPSO Almirante Tamandaré, the field’s sixth production system, aiming to increase output to 1 million barrels per day by mid-2025. Five other FPSOs—P-74, P-75, P-76, P-77, and Almirante Barroso—currently support the field, which started production in 2018.
Petrobras reported an oil discovery in the western Búzios region within the pre-salt Santos Basin. The company projects Búzios will reach 2 million barrels per day by 2030, making it their largest producing field. Their five-year strategy emphasizes reserve growth, higher production with reduced emissions, and a focus on sustainable, high-quality products. Allseas views Búzios-10 as a landmark contract due to its ultra-deepwater challenges, extensive subsea equipment, and broad engineering scope.
The Búzios field, which came online in 2018, is perceived to be the world’s largest field in ultra-deep waters. Based on Petrobras’ expectations, Búzios will become the firm’s largest producing field, hitting 2 million barrels per day by 2030.
The company’s five-year plan focuses on replenishing reserves, boosting production with a lower carbon footprint, and enlarging the supply of more sustainable and higher-quality products in its portfolio.
