BP has confirmed a significant hydrocarbon discovery at the Bumerangue prospect in the deep-water Santos Basin offshore Brazil.
The exploration well, 1-BP-13-SPS, was drilled to a total depth of 5,855m and has revealed a promising hydrocarbon column in a high-quality pre-salt carbonate reservoir.
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The well intersected the reservoir approximately 500m below the structure’s crest.
The well penetrated an estimated 500m gross hydrocarbon column with an areal extent of more than 300km².
Elevated levels of carbon dioxide were indicated by rig-site analysis, prompting further laboratory studies to characterise the reservoir and fluids.
The Bumerangue block is situated 404km from Rio de Janeiro at a water depth of 2,372m.
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By GlobalDataThe block was acquired in December 2022 during ANP’s 1st Cycle of the Open Acreage of Production Sharing, managed by Pré-Sal Petróleo.
As the sole participant in the block, bp is set to undertake additional appraisal activities, subject to regulatory approval.
This discovery is bp’s tenth in 2025.
BP executive vice-president for production & operations Gordon Birrell said: “We are excited to announce this significant discovery at Bumerangue, bp’s largest in 25 years.
“This is another success in what has been an exceptional year so far for our exploration team, underscoring our commitment to growing our upstream. Brazil is an important country for bp, and our ambition is to explore the potential of establishing a material and advantaged production hub in the country.”
Furthermore, bp has successfully initiated the Argos Southwest Extension project in the US Gulf of Mexico.
This project, which started production in 2023, is expected to contribute 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) to the existing Argos platform’s output.
The Argos platform, bp’s fifth in the Gulf, has a gross production capacity of up to 140,000boepd.
The Argos Southwest Extension, which includes three new wells and a new drill centre, is part of bp’s strategy to grow its global oil and natural gas business.
The project’s swift completion, seven months ahead of schedule, exemplifies bp’s efficient project management and early procurement strategies.
BP senior vice-president for the Gulf of America and Canada Andy Krieger said: “The Argos expansion underpins our commitment to investing in America, growing our US offshore energy production safely and efficiently.
“This project also kicks off a period of significant growth for bp in the Gulf of America, which will continue to play a critical role in delivering secure and reliable energy the world needs today and tomorrow.”
Looking forward, bp plans to deliver two additional expansion projects in the Gulf of Mexico by 2027.
These projects, along with the Argos Southwest Extension, are expected to increase bp’s US offshore production capacity to around 400,000boepd by the end of the decade.
In a related development, the National Oil Corporation of Libya has entered agreements with bp and Shell to undertake studies for the exploration and development of hydrocarbons in three Libyan oil fields.
Comprehensive studies will be conducted to assess the prospects for hydrocarbon extraction in designated fields, notably the Messla and Sarir oilfields and their vicinities.
