The offshore drilling unit Norbe IX, operated by Foresea, has completed a scheduled maintenance and upgrade campaign following approximately 70 days of work. Most of the activities were carried out with the unit anchored around six nautical miles off Angra dos Reis, in Rio de Janeiro.
The unit departed the anchorage on March 12 and underwent a series of operational tests before being cleared to resume activities. Foresea confirmed that operations under a new three-year contract with Petrobras began on March 30, with the rig deployed in the Santos Basin, supporting developments in the Sépia and Atapu fields.
According to the company, the campaign was conducted as part of a Special Periodic Survey (SPS), including integrity verification, upgrades to critical systems and equipment, and operational improvements aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency. Approximately 1,600 personnel were involved in the works, totaling more than 260,000 man-hours, and the scope also included updates to the unit’s internal layout.
“It is another scheduled stop delivered successfully, the result of a large-scale effort involving hundreds of employees and partners. This level of planning and execution ensures Norbe IX is ready for another three-year campaign, operating without interruptions and within Foresea’s performance standards,” said Heitor Gioppo, COO of Foresea.
Built in 2011 by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, the Norbe IX is a sixth-generation ultra-deepwater drilling unit equipped with DP3 dynamic positioning. It is capable of operating in water depths of up to 3,048 meters (10,000 ft) and drilling wells to approximately 12,195 meters (40,000 ft). The unit has accommodation capacity for around 180 personnel and is equipped with a 15,000 psi BOP system.
With this contract, Foresea stated that its fleet remains fully contracted at least through the end of 2026.
With this contract, Foresea stated that its fleet remains fully contracted through at least the end of 2026.