As Petrobras announces that it will go through with five more deepwater pre-salt drilling projects this year, totaling 16 pre-salt wells drilled in 2010, a number which will probably increase in 2011 and more pre-salt, deepwater and shallow water plays keep being uncovered, new shipyard and new port projects are getting underway to make up the some of the infrastructure deficit in Brazil.
OSX has finally defined that its shipyard will be build next to the Açu Port and Industrial Complex in the northeast coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro. The final decision was decision was based on the competitive advantages of UCN Açu, as attested by the results of comprehensive engineering, environmental, technical and operational studies, in furtherance to the legitimate interests of the Company, its shareholders, customers and other interested parties. The environmental impact study and corresponding environmental impact report (EIA/RIMA) of UCN Açu is in an advanced stage of technical analysis by the competent environmental agency of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and the Company expects that the license will be issued in April 2011.
UCN Açu will have a quay of 2,400m (approximately 70% longer than projected for Biguaçu), with expansion capacity to reach 3,525m, and has the same productive capacities as originally contemplated in the Company's business plan, with no significant change in the originally envisioned CAPEX. UCN Açu also offers the following competitive advantages, among others.
Jurong is planning to build a shipyard in the Aracruz coast in the state Espirito Santo, where quite a few important pre-salt plays are located. It has received the green light from the national environmental agency (Ibama) and continues competing in a Petrobras tender for the construction o drillships. The result of this last tender should be available shortly and if Jurong wins the tender they will have to speed up the shipyard´s construction in order to make the delivery deadline for the drillers. Even if they don´t win the tender, the shipyard will still be built, although at a slower pace.
Technip is starting the refurbishing of the Angra dos Reis port, which it plans to use as a hub for its vessels operating in support of various pre-salt projects. The old port will go through a massive revamping effort intended to modernize the installations and is expected to be one of the most modern ports in Brazil dedicated to offshore support vessels.
LLX is continuing its construction work in the two modern ports it is building in Rio, one in the south coast of Rio, in Madeira Island next to the new Navy shipyard and submarine base and also very close to the Itaguai port terminal. The other project is in the northeast coast of Rio, in the municipality of São João da Barra. This will be the Açu Port and Industrial Complex. Both ports will have large berthing areas and depths of over 21 meters allowing for even Chinamax tankers to berth there.
Claudio Paschoa