Portuguese 
With a Length of 218 Meters and Capable of Operating in Ultra-Deep Waters, Amaralina Star Will Replace NS-42 in the Equatorial Margin Following Ibama Authorization and is Part of a $528 Million Contract with Petrobras for Three Years
Petrobras has received approval from Ibama, Brazil’s environmental agency, to replace the drilling rig NS-42 with NS-43 in operations at the Equatorial Margin of the Mouth of the Amazon Basin. This information was confirmed by a source from the state-owned company to Brasil Energia during the ROG.e 2026 conference.
The switch required an additional request from Petrobras to the environmental agency. According to the source, both units have identical characteristics, which should allow for a transition without significant impact on the continuity of operations.
With this change, NS-43, identified as Amaralina Star from Constellation, will enter the field in place of NS-42. The unit is contracted by Petrobras to operate in deep and ultra-deep waters.
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The NS-42, also known as ODN-II and operated by Foresea, will leave the region for docking and maintenance in Guanabara Bay. After this process, the rig is expected to head to the Equatorial Margin of the Potiguar Basin.
The Amaralina Star is also expected to be used for the three contingent wells that Petrobras has received authorization to drill in the Mouth of the Amazon Basin.
Value, Dimensions, and More About the Rig
The Amaralina Star is a sixth-generation drilling ship designed for ultra-deepwater operations. The unit measures 218 meters in length, 42 meters in width, and has a hull height of 19 meters, along with a Kongsberg DP3 dynamic positioning system.
It can operate in water depths of up to 10,000 feet, approximately 3,048 meters, and drill wells with a total depth of up to 40,000 feet, or about 12.2 kilometers.
The contract established with Petrobras totals approximately $528 million over three years. Of this total, about $39 million is associated with the mobilization of the unit and integrated services.
Constellation did not detail in this statement the route or the isolated cost of moving the rig. Before the new contract, the company indicated that the Amaralina Star would undergo modifications, hull cleaning, and class inspections.
The campaign also includes a managed pressure drilling system, the MPD, and an additional ROV.
Sources: information provided by a Petrobras source to Brasil Energia during ROG.e 2026.
