The plan to order the rigs from domestic yards forms part of the wider Petrobras strategy for developing hydrocarbon resources from the pre-salt province. The Brazilian-built rigs will be capable of working in up to 3000 metres of water.
Petrobras already plans to take delivery of 26 new rigs between 2009 and 2012, but the 28 locally-built units represent the next phase in the company's huge expansion plan.
