Category
Regulatory & Compliance
ANP, ANTAQ, IBAMA and the offshore sector's regulatory environment.
Reporting and curation by Westhon Media
ANP sets date for 2026 O&G bidding rounds
Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) has scheduled the public bid sessions for the 6th Cycle of the Permanent Concession Offer (OPC) and the 4th Cycle of the Permanent Production Sharing Offer (OPP) for Octo
Shell Awards Marine Warranty Survey Contract for Orca Pre-Salt Project Offshore Brazil
Shell has selected U.S.-based New Wave Offshore Energy to provide Marine Warranty Survey (MWS) services for the Orca project, a major deepwater development located in Brazil’s prolific Santos Basin pre-salt province. The contract reinforces
Tech Compass #2
Energy Efficiency: Where Engineering Meets the Bottom Line By Romulo Bacchiega In offshore operations, fuel consumption and energy demand are high-impact costs—well-known and often dreaded fixtures of any OPEX spreadsheet. The novelty today
R.I.P Dalton Schmitt
Today we say goodbye to Dalton Schmitt — and celebrate the breadth of his journey and the legacy he leaves behind. Dalton was present at numerous WSB events and workshops, enriching every gathering with his elegance, generosity, and a rare
ANP approves production unitization agreements for Sururu and Berbigão reservoirs
Petrobras has reported that it has been informed by Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) of the approval of the Production Individualization Agreements (AIPs) for the shared Sururu and Berbigão reservoirs, l
Por onde anda? Tonelagem da Galáxia
By WSB Advisors As the market’s primary reference for fleet data—also reflected in our WSB One Database—we are frequently challenged by clients to explain not only where vessels are, but under what structures they remain where they are. Tha
ANP prepares 23-block auction
Pre-salt gains momentum as ANP expands offering and prepares new auction with 23 blocksANP published on April 6 a new version of the Production Sharing Permanent Offer (OPP) notice, following board approval on March 27 and validation by the
Special WSB – Por onde anda? Astro Tupi
Where is she now? — Atlas Z (ex-Astro Tupi): One Vessel, Two Structures By WSB Advisors Much like the recent case of Astro CMT Matos—reborn as Seastar Virtus while raising unresolved questions around overlapping commercial and registry posi
Brazil’s offshore licensing process has just hit a new level of scrutiny
A Federal Court in Angra dos Reis has ordered the suspension of the preliminary environmental license (LP) granted by IBAMA for the “Stage 4” development in the Santos Basin, following a request from the Federal Public Ministry (MPF). The i
Constitutional Insights #1
Congress must provide constitutional regulation for the gas sector By Luis Fernando Priolli Brazil is at a crucial turning point in defining the rules for the natural gas sector. The National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (
Special WSB: Que fim levou? Consolidation without repricing
By Alexandre Vilela Consolidation Without RepricingOceanPact–CBO merger Bigger, But Not Yet RicherThe OceanPact–CBO merger and the economics behind the market’s restraint Brazil’s offshore sector has produced a bigger company. What it has n
PRIO – Wahoo field
PRIO announced on March 3 that it has received the Operating License for Wahoo field, in Campos Basin, from Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (Ibama) — the final regulatory step before first oil. With
OceanPact and CBO announce combination agreement
OceanPact Serviços Marítimos S.A. announced it has signed an Association Agreement to merge with CBO Holding S.A., forming a combined offshore support company with 73 vessels and approximately R$13.6 billion in contracted backlog. OceanPact
BRAVA moves forward in Papa-Terra
BRAVA has announced that its subsidiary 3R Petroleum Offshore was authorized to proceed with the transfer of a 37.5% interest in the Campo de Papa-Terra consortium previously held by Nova Técnica Energy Ltda.. The authorization was issued o
Brazil and Panama sign landmark agreement to develop a Green Maritime Corridor
Agreement aims to accelerate the energy transition of maritime transport, focusing on sustainable fuels and logistics innovation Brazil and Panama announced last Wednesday (January 28) the signing of a strategic agreement to develop studies
ANP: strategic decisions
The National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) has advanced a broad set of regulatory and strategic decisions with implications for exploration policy, contractual frameworks, project development and Brazil’s energy transi
Por onde anda? Astro Parati & Astro Garoupa
Launched in 1987 at Estaleiro Ilha S.A. (EISA), Astro Parati and Astro Garoupa belong to an early generation of Brazilian-built offshore support vessels. With steel hulls of approximately 66 meters, they once operated in a period when Brazi
Atlas Z: IBAMA audit
Vessel Atlas Z (ex-Astro Tupi) completed its final IBAMA audit alongside Petrobras, concluding the technical validation phase for its OSRV role. The evaluation resulted in a recommendation for authorization, consolidating Atlas Z as part of
Shell expands Santos Basin portfolio
Shell has finalized the concession agreements it secured during ANP’s 5th Permanent Offer Cycle in June, reinforcing its strategic footprint in the Santos Basin and broadening its deepwater operations. The S-M-1819, S-M-1821, S-M-1912, and
New legislation boosts Brazil’s shipbuilding and offshore industries
Romulo A. Bacchiega Law 15.075/2024 and Decree 12.362/2025 create a favorable environment for investment, job generation and the strengthening of Brazil’s maritime industrial base. Rio de Janeiro, November 2025 — The recent enactment of Law