WATCH: Valaris drillship undergoing upgrades in Spain as another rig reaches Brazil

February 3, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

A 2014-built drillship, owned by the Bermuda-incorporated offshore drilling contractor Valaris, has come to Brazilian waters ahead of its assignment with Equinor Energy do Brasil, a subsidiary of Norway’s energy giant Equinor. Another unit from the rig owner’s fleet is currently getting upgrades in Spain for its next assignment in West Africa.

While confirming the arrival of the Valaris DS-17 drillship in Rio de Janeiro, the company described the image of the rig being framed by landmarks like Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer as “a powerful moment where offshore engineering meets one of the world’s most stunning backdrops.”

The rig was booked for work on the Raia project in 2024. The development entails two natural gas fields, Raia Manta and Raia Pintada, in the BM-C-33 concession off the coast of Brazil. Equinor, as the operator, holds a 35% stake in the project while Repsol Sinopec Brasil and Petrobras hold 35% and 30% interest, respectively.

The deal followed the Norwegian player’s submission of the declarations of commerciality and plans of development for two natural gas fields in the BM-C-33 concession in September 2023. The 2014-built Valaris DS-17 drillship is expected to be out of service for 25 days to undergo customer required upgrades in 1Q 2026.

Based on initial estimated duration of 852 days, the deal comprises a 180-day standby period followed by a 672-day drilling program. The rig has worked for Equinor offshore Brazil since September 2023. With the GustoMSC P10000 design, the rig, constructed at Hyundai Heavy Industries, can accommodate 210 people.

Valaris DS-17 drillship arrives in Brazil

WATCH VIDEO

On the other hand, the 2014-built Valaris DS-15 drillship is currently at Hidramar Group, where it is executing a comprehensive coating campaign and multiple crane-related scopes onboard the rig.

This coating campaign includes meticulous surface preparation and application of protective systems, ensuring absolute traceability and strict adherence to international safety standards.

While shedding more light on the crane scopes, Hidramar emphasized: “Our specialized naval engineers are performing advanced mechanical and structural works. This afloat intervention ensures safe execution with minimal interference to the unit’s ongoing upgrades.”

Thanks to a five-well contract, the Valaris DS-15 drillship is slated to begin work off the coast of West Africa in the third quarter of 2026.

Valaris DS 15 drillship; Source: Hidramar Shipyards

Valaris DS-15 drillship at Hidramar Shipyards

WATCH VIDEO

With a maximum drilling depth of 40,000 feet (12,192 meters), the drillship is capable of working in water depths of 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) and can accommodate 210 people.