Petrobras lengthens contracts for three deepwater Constellation rigs offshore Brazil
Constellation Oil Services has negotiated amendments with Petrobras that will collectively extend contracts for three drilling rigs operating offshore Brazil by almost 10 years.
The new arrangements for the Brava Star, Gold Star and Alpha Star should add about $1.1 billion to Constellation’s backlog for its overall drilling fleet, now at $2.8 billion through 2030.
Brava Star, an ultradeepwater drillship, is contracted through December 2030 for development drilling on the Búzios Field in the presalt Santos Basin, subject to early termination (as of the 910th day of the extension).
The drillship will undergo a managed pressure drilling (MPD) equipment upgrade starting in 2027.
The ultradeepwater Gold Star semisubmersible rig contract has been extended by two years and 10 months through December 2028. Operational upgrades will include integrated drillpipe riser services to support well workover and P&A operations.
Alpha Star, another ultradeepwater semisub, gets a similar extension of its contract through December 2030.
Constellation has also agreed to install new technologies to support drillfloor personnel safety on both semisubs.
According to the company's March 2026 Fleet Summary Report, a new contract for Petrobras and Karoon is starting this month for the Atlantic Star rig, and that contract is scheduled to end in June.
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About the Author
Jeremy Beckman
Editor, Europe
Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.