Surveys, Offshore Energy Inspections Leverage Autonomous Technology
, subsea surveying, and oceanographic research missions. Additionally, operators can control both the USV and the deployed ROV from an onshore control center.Saipem is hitting the 3,000-meter mark with its most advanced AUV, Flatfish, which has now undergone functional acceptance tests with Petrobras. FlatFish has been developed as part of Saipem’s underwater robotics program aimed at industrializing a family of underwater robots capable of performing complex, autonomous inspection tasks.Throughout the tests campaign, Flatfish executed multiple fully autonomous inspection missions including
Oceaneering Wins Offshore Brazil Contract with Petrobras for ROV Services
Oceaneering International, Inc. has announced that its Brazilian subsidiary, Marine Production Systems do Brasil LTDA (MPS), won a contract from Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) to deliver ROV services offshore Brazil. The award follows a competitive tender process. The contract term is four years and operations are expected to begin in 2027.Oceaneering will supply two work class ROVs and specialized tooling packages in addition to carrying out monitoring and positioning support operations offshore Brazil. The ROV systems will be deployed from AKOFS Offshore's subsea engineering support
On-Demand Ocean Bottom Node: A New Era in Deepwater Seismic Monitoring
Shell Brasil, Petrobras, Sonardyne, and SENAI CIMATEC are developing autonomous technology that transforms how Brazil's challenging pre-salt fields are monitored. Now entering a major pilot array phase, the On-Demand Ocean Bottom Node (OD OBN) program promises efficient, cost-effective 4D seismic surveillance, with fewer people and lower environmental impact. This milestone marks a step closer to a fundamental shift in deepwater reservoir management.The ChallengeBrazil’s pre-salt reservoirs lie in more than 2,000m water depth, plus another 3,000m beneath the seabed, making seismic imaging
Fugro to Conduct Site Investigation for South America’s First Offshore Wind Project
Petrobras has selected Fugro to deliver a geotechnical site investigation for the Rio de Janeiro Offshore Wind Pilot Project, the first offshore wind development in South America to advance under a formal environmental licensing process.The 18MW pilot marks an essential step in energy diversification as countries in the region begin to establish regulated pathways for the responsible development of offshore wind.Working within a nearshore study area off São João da Barra, Fugro will acquire the geo‑data needed to inform safe and efficient design. Activities include soil sampling, in situ
Petrobras Taps Fugro for Brazil’s First Licensed Offshore Wind Survey
Petrobras has selected Fugro to carry out a geotechnical site investigation for its Rio de Janeiro Offshore Wind Pilot Project, the first offshore wind development in South America to advance under a formal environmental licensing process.The 18 MW pilot project marks an early step in the region’s offshore wind development, as countries move to establish regulatory frameworks for renewable energy projects.Fugro will conduct soil sampling, in situ testing and laboratory analysis across nearshore and coastal locations off São João da Barra, alongside onshore investigations to support
Saipem FlatFish Underwater Drone Completes Petrobas Test Campaign
FlatFish, Saipem’s underwater inspection drone, has successfully completed a key phase under the contract awarded by Petrobras in 2023 for the development and testing of an autonomous robotic solution. These were Functional Acceptance Tests, executed in a controlled environment, aimed at verifying that all the functions required by the contract meet the technical and operational standards established before deployment on the field.Following the positive tests outcome, Petrobras has been able to grant approval to proceed with the final phase of the project, which aims at the full implementation
DOF Inks $150M ROV Support Vessel Contract with Petrobras
Norwegian offshore vessel owner DOF Group has secured a new four-year contract with Petrobras for the remotely operated support vessel (RSV) Skandi Commander.The contract was awarded following the same competitive tender process that led to six previous four-year RSV contracts announced earlier.The Skandi Commander will be equipped with both a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) and an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), the latter being a unique feature of this agreement.The contract, valued at approximately $150 million, is expected to start in January 2027."I am proud of our achievements in Brazil
Subsea Vessel Market Outlook 'Robust' for 2026
leading EPC contractor.Contracting activity remained strong throughout 2025, with the Tier1 EPCs, Subsea 7, TechnipFMC, and Saipem, securing significant projects across Europe, South America, West Africa, and the Middle East. South America, particularly Brazil, stands out as a key growth region, with Petrobras beyond likely to drive long-term demand.In light of this, the market is also shifting more toward deep- and ultradeep-water projects and more advanced vessels, supported by a strong pipeline of projects expected to drive demand through 2026 and beyond. As a result, close to all job types
PXGEO Inks Two Seismic Acquisition Contracts with Petrobras off Brazil
Marine geophysical services company PXGEO has signed two significant contracts with Petrobras-led consortia, to deliver seismic data acquisition and monitoring services in the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil.The projects will run consecutively in 2026 with PXGEO deploying its proprietary MNode 4C ocean bottom node (OBN) technology as part of the scope.The company’s MNode technology delivers a 300-day battery life, enabling extended deployment time, which is well suited for larger, more complex surveys.The enhanced operating time means surveys can run uninterrupted for extended periods, reducing
August 2026
