Brazilian state-controlled oil company Petrobras has launched a tender for the charter of a trio of drilling rigs to carry out a development programme in the giant Buzios pre-salt field in the Santos basin.

Well-informed industry sources told Upstream that Petrobras invited contractors to submit commercial proposals on 28 October, but stressed the deadline will likely be postponed.

Petrobras is offering 1065-day charters, including the mobilisation period, with operations scheduled to start in Buzios between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.