Brazil, already the second largest oil reserve holder in South America, is opening the biggest play in that country’s history in the deep pre-salt formations below its major producing basins.
The new world-class oil province lies under the Espirito Santo,
According to Petrobras, Tupi “which represents but a small part of the new frontier, may boost Brazil’s current 14-billion-bbl oil and gas reserves by more than 50%.” So far, Petrobras is the only operator that has drilled deep enough to test pre-salt sediments.
The company analyzed and tested the zone in the Tupi area at the second well in Block BM-S-11 in the
To date, Petrobras and its partners have invested US $1 billion in the play over the past couple of years drilling 15 wells to the pre-salt. It tested eight of those wells for high commercial volumes of oil and associated gas.
During that period, the Brazilian company developed efficient techniques to drill through more than 6,562 ft (2,000 m) of salt to depths between 16,405 and 22,967 ft (5,000 and 7,000 m).
The first well took more than a year to drill at a cost of $240 million. Newer wells take 60 days and costs $60 million to drill.
The drilling program was part of a major mapping effort that allowed the company to delineate an are 497 miles (800 km) long and 124 miles (200 km) wide from a point off the coast of
Although only Petrobras has been active in the area, several oil and gas companies hold exploration blocks and production concessions over the pre-salt play.
Recommended Reading
Triangle Energy, JV Set to Drill in North Perth Basin
2024-04-18 - The Booth-1 prospect is planned to be the first well in the joint venture’s —Triangle Energy, Strike Energy and New Zealand Oil and Gas — upcoming drilling campaign.
EIG’s MidOcean Closes Purchase of 20% Stake in Peru LNG
2024-04-23 - MidOcean Energy’s deal for SK Earthon’s Peru LNG follows a March deal to purchase Tokyo Gas’ LNG interests in Australia.
Crescent Point Divests Non-core Saskatchewan Assets to Saturn Oil & Gas
2024-05-07 - Crescent Point Energy is divesting non-core assets to boost its portfolio for long-term sustainability and repay debt.
Permian Resources Adds More Delaware Basin Acreage
2024-05-07 - Permian Resources also reported its integration of Earthstone Energy’s assets is ahead of schedule and raised expected annual synergies from the deal.
Evolution Petroleum Sees Production Uplift from SCOOP/STACK Deals
2024-05-07 - Evolution Petroleum said the company added 300 gross undeveloped locations and more than a dozen DUCs.