SapuraKencana Petroleum Berhad's (“SapuraKencana”) presence in Brazil continues to grow after entering the market with its first pipelaying support vessel (“PLSV”), Sapura Diamante, on June 28, 2014. On 14 February 2016, its latest PLSV, Sapura Jade commenced work with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A (“Petrobras”) on schedule in Brazil.

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

In November 2011 and in June 2013, SapuraKencana’s joint venture company in Brazil, SNM, was awarded two major contracts by Petrobras worth a total of US$4.1 billion to build and operate a total of six PLSVs for offshore deepwater flexible pipelay work in Brazil.

The Sapura Jade is the fourth of a series of six PLSVs contracted under a long-term contract by Petrobras for deepwater flexible pipelay work in Brazil. Other PLSVs already in service with Petrobras includes 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.

“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,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Shahril Shamsuddin, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of SapuraKencana Petroleum.

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

Similar to previous vessels, Sapura Jade is equipped with a 550 tonne vertical (tiltable) lay system for the deployment of a range of flexible products in up to 3,000 metres water depth for Petrobras’ pre-salt developments offshore Brazil. It is also fitted with world class Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) developed and built by SapuraKencana’s Australian subsidiary, Total Marine Technology Pty Ltd.