ABS grants Constellation AiP for drillship fuel processor

Constellation received an Approval in Principle (AiP) certificate from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its Fuel Processor project, a technology designed to improve combustion efficiency in the diesel engines used aboard offshore units. The AiP validates the safety and technical soundness of solutions for which conventional regulations are still under development. The Fuel Processor aims to lower fuel consumption and reduce emissions from offshore operations.

The project, contracted at the end of 2025 and expected to run through 2028, is being developed with Petrobras using funds from the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) Research, Development and Innovation clause. Clean Energy Power Systems (CEPS) is also involved, while PUC-Rio serves as the independent third party validating results. The technology is in its pilot phase and is being implemented and tested aboard the drillship Laguna Star.

Constellation and ABS also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance new decarbonization technologies for the offshore sector. The agreement sets a framework for technical discussions, guidelines and future certification work on hybridization through battery energy storage systems (BESS) and closed-bus operations. Constellation is also continuing work with Petrobras and the University of São Paulo on a Digital Twin project.