Brazilian state-controlled operator Petrobras has launched a tender to charter remotely-operated vehicle support vessels (RSV) in an effort to restructure its fleet and secure new units to assist in offshore operations.

Well-informed sources told Upstream that Petrobras invited over a dozen contractors to present commercial bids on 10 July for Brazilian-flagged RSVs featuring Class 2 dynamic positioning system under a reverse auction scheme.

Two days after initial proposals are submitted, participants will be allowed to engage in a bidding contest to find the lowest available price.

The procedure, developed in response to Brazil’s new public tender laws, is open to a wider range of contractors than in the past, and the main technical and financial qualification process takes place only after bidding.

This is in contrast to former Petrobras tendering practices where qualification was completed before commercial prices were disclosed.

Sources said Petrobras divided the tender into two lots. Package A calls for vessels to start operations in January 2020 and package B is for vessels with delivery in June 2020. The same RSV cannot be submitted in both lots.

Companies can propose vessels for periods of two or three years, with the contract featuring options for renewal for another two years or one year, respectively.

Sources said Petrobras will allow contractors to submit foreign-flagged vessels, but in case of an award, the winning bidder must be in the process of shifting it to a Brazilian-flagged unit under the so-called REB local special regime.

The bidding procedure will see Petrobras award two contracts simultaneously – one for the charter of the RSV and another for the contracting of specialised technical services to carry out inspection and maintenance of systems and subsea equipment with the use of ROVs.

Petrobras will give players the option to form consortia in order to bid for the pair of contracts, with one company in charge of supplying and operating the RSV, and another to provide subsea services.

Earlier this year, Petrobras awarded Norway’s DOF Subsea a trio of contracts worth about $150 million for the provision of RSVs.

The Skandi Commander, Skandi Olympia and Skandi Chieftain vessels have been handed contracts for three years each.

As Upstream went to press, Petrobras was also due to receive proposals in a tender to contract a highly-specialised diving support vessel (DSV) to run operations in the Campos and Santos basins.

Petrobras asked for a Brazilian-flagged DSV with delivery scheduled for 120 days after signing of the contract.

The oil giant is offering a 690-day charter, renewable for the same period. The contract, according to sources, could be worth close to $150 million.

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Petrobras launches hunt for RSV contractors