On the Horizon

BRAZIL OPERATIONS
GALLERY: Transocean Driller in the shipyard

RESPONSIBILITY
GALLERY: 2009 Beach Cleanup in Galveston

AROUND RIG
GALLERY: Celebrating a Year of “Making a Difference”

Brazil. The Sky's the Limit (page 9)

Rig counts have more than doubled over the past two years in Brazil, both for Transocean (up to 12 rigs from five in 2008 – one of those the Sedco 135-D, which worked as a dewatering unit and was sold in 2009) and the industry as a whole (more than 50 units working offshore compared to about 25 in 2006 and 2007). And looking at current plans, the total number could again double by 2015.

“The challenge is not only maintaining our current operations, it’s looking to the future,” said Guilherme. “We have to be prepared for more growth.”

That growth continues at the beginning of 2010, when the region adds a 12th rig to the operation – the Cajun Express.

“We want to get the Cajun up and running efficiently right from the beginning,” said General Manager, Operations, Michel LeGrand when discussing the short-term growth goals.

The future might also include expanding Transocean’s operations to other South American countries. While Brazil is where the huge growth is, says Guilherme, opportunities in Peru, Colombia, Argentina and the Falkland Islands, are being explored.

In short, the opportunities seem endless in the South America Division. Looking out his window at Transocean’s newly remodeled office in Rio (which, incidentally, features spectacular views of tourist hotspot Sugarloaf and the world famous Christ the Redeemer statue), Michel LeGrand summed it up best: “Brazil is the place to be today, and this is only the start.”

BrazilTeam Some members of the shore-based team at a September meeting in Rio.