HMH Secures Major Contract with Brazilian Driller Constellation

 

Gold Star rig (Source Keppel)

HMH, a Norwegian company specializing in both offshore and onshore drilling equipment, has recently signed a significant long-term services agreement with Brazilian drilling contractor Constellation Oil Services. This deal, notable for its duration and potential for extension, focuses on providing integrated maintenance support for the blowout preventers (BOPs) on three of Constellation's ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling rigs operating off the coast of Brazil.

These rigs, named Alpha Star, Gold Star, and Lone Star, are key assets in Constellation's fleet. Each is an ultra-deepwater DP semi-submersible drilling rig, with impressive capabilities in terms of water and drilling depth. They are specifically equipped to handle challenging pre-salt drilling operations.

This partnership is being touted as a first of its kind in Brazil, with a unique remuneration model that ties payment to performance, effectively sharing the risks between HMH and Constellation. Rodrigo Ribeiro, CEO of Constellation, highlighted the benefits of this agreement, expecting it to enhance the reliability and operational efficiency of the rigs, especially in well control and process safety. It's also anticipated to open up new business opportunities for Constellation.

Under the agreement, HMH and Constellation will collaboratively handle the maintenance of the rigs' BOPs. The scope includes parts supply, predictive and preventative maintenance, optimization of maintenance schedules using data analytics, maintenance between wells, ongoing certification, and continuous engineering support from HMH's team.

Chuck Chauviere, President of HMH’s Pressure Control Systems division, emphasized the implementation of a condition-based maintenance program. This approach is intended to optimize maintenance intervals and improve overall operational performance, ensuring that the BOPs are always in a ready-to-operate state.

The partnership is expected to make a significant impact on the uptime of drilling and well intervention campaigns. By changing the approach to equipment maintenance and asset management, these drilling units should be available for use over longer periods, providing a boost to operational efficiency and profitability.

Constellation’s current offshore fleet includes a diverse range of rigs, capable of operating in various water depths, making them a versatile player in the offshore drilling sector.