A leading drillship operator (Valaris Limited) preparing for a Petrobras contract faced a critical challenge: completing essential telecommunications upgrades mandated by Petrobras Annex – Section N during the vessel’s stay at the Las Palmas shipyard, with all work required before the rig intake inspection.
Having been in cold stack for several years, telecommunications systems onboard the DS8 needed a comprehensive reconfiguration to meet Petrobras’ current architectural and operational standards, as well as comply with ANATEL regulations.
The project required fast execution within a tight timeline, precise coordination in an active shipyard, and full adherence to Petrobras and Brazilian regulatory standards. Any delays risked penalties and rig intake failure. To meet these demands, the client entrusted Techfirm Canarias to deliver a turnkey, compliant solution on schedule.
Techfirm Canarias quickly mobilized a multidisciplinary team to deliver a comprehensive telecommunications upgrade onboard the drillship, fully meeting Petrobras requirements within a tight shipyard schedule.
Designed and installed a certified fiber optic and copper cabling system across client offices, crew cabins, and the doghouse. Work included cable pulling, termination, fiber splicing, and OTDR testing, with full certification to ensure compliance and readiness for Petrobras inspection.
Designed a new IPTV system, including a central headend and set-top boxes, to enable onboard broadcasting of Brazilian channels via Claro TV. A new dual Seatel Cobham antenna system was provided to ensure uninterrupted satellite reception, regardless of the vessel’s heading.
Extended the CCTV system by integrating new cameras in critical areas as per project requirements. Video signals were routed through Pelco IP encoders and recorded via an IndigoVision NVR (Network Video Recorder), enabling secure, IP-based streaming and remote onshore monitoring.
Relocated sensors, including those atop the derrick, with associated re-cabling to facilitate the new CMC platform installation, all performed under strict safety standards.
Deployed a private LTE system from Nokia to link nearby vessels to the Petrobras network, supporting seamless communications.
All work complied with offshore safety regulations and Petrobras protocols, ensuring timely completion before the rig intake inspection.
Successful Petrobras Rig Intake without any telecom-related findings.
Avoidance of contractual penalties.
Modernized, fully compliant telecommunications systems onboard.
Strengthened client trust and readiness for future offshore campaigns.
Techfirm Canarias continues to support offshore clients across the Atlantic and beyond with tailored solutions in digital systems, telecommunications, and safety technologies.
Through a reliable partner network, we maintain a local presence in all major oil & gas hubs, enabling us to respond quickly and effectively to client needs. We are proud to help our partners meet stringent regulatory requirements while optimizing performance and minimizing downtime.