Norwegian supply shipping company DOF has secured contracts for three remotely operated (ROV) support vessels with Brazilian oil multinational Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras).

All three contracts are expected to commence in the second quarter (Q2) of 2019, with a firm duration of three years and the option to be extended for another two years. The estimated total firm value of the contracts is $150bn (1.3bn Norwegian krone).

The vessels allocated for the contracts are the Skandi Commander, Olympia and Chieftain ships. These vessels are owned by DOF’s subsidiary DOF Rederi, and will each be equipped with two “state-of-the-art” work class ROVs operated and owned by DOF.

The Skandi Chieftain, built in 2005, worked in Canada over 2018 and has been idle in St. John’s, Canada since November 2018. The vessel previously worked on a long-term RSV contract in Brazil.

Skandi Commander, built in 2007, completed an ROV support vessel (RSV) contract with Petrobras in November 2018. It is currently working on a 60-day contract with French oil and gas company Total in Brazil.

Skandi Olympia, built in 2009, has been on charter with Dutch multinational Fugro since its delivery. Fugro returned the vessel at the end of 2018, and it has been idle in Norway since then.

DOF CEO Mons Aase said: “We are delighted with these awards which further strengthen our market position in Brazil. We are combining our vessel and subsea expertise across our global organisation.

“Adding these contracts to the previous announced awards in 2019 has given us a fantastic start in 2019.”