Constellation has successfully received an Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its fuel processing project, which is currently being implemented and tested on the drilling vessel Laguna Star.
Project Objective
This technology is designed to enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from diesel engines used in offshore units. The technology is currently in the testing phase, with the goal of improving the combustion efficiency of diesel engines and reducing fuel consumption and harmful emissions in oil operations.
Collaboration with Petrobras
This project, with a contract expected to be signed by the end of 2025 and anticipated to continue until 2028, is being developed in collaboration with Petrobras and utilizes resources from the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).
The plan also includes collaboration with Clean Energy Power Systems and the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) as an independent party responsible for validating the project's results. The drilling vessel Laguna Star, built in 2012, has the capability to drill in water depths of up to 10,000 feet and drilling depths of up to 40,000 feet.
Impact of ABS Approval
The owner of the rig explains that the AiP approval certifies the safety and technical integrity of innovative solutions that are still under the development of traditional regulations, aiding their safe advancement towards practical implementation.
Meanwhile, Constellation and ABS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing new carbon emission reduction technologies for the offshore sector. This memorandum establishes a framework for future technical discussions, guidelines, and certification initiatives.
Constellation has stated: "While the fuel processing project and the digital twin project, which is progressing in collaboration with Petrobras and the University of São Paulo (USP), the new collaboration with ABS expands a series of initiatives in technology innovation, operational efficiency, and carbon emission reduction."
These initiatives relate to hybridization through Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and closed-loop operations, which are considered promising solutions for enhancing operational efficiency and reducing emissions in offshore activities.
