State-owned Brazilian producer Petrobras has discovered “excellent quality, contaminant-free oil” in the pre-salt layer of Brazil’s Santos Basin.
The discovery was made at the exploratory well 3-BRSA-1396D-SPS in the Aram block, located 248km from Santos, São Paulo, in waters 1,952m deep.
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The drilling of the well revealed an oil-bearing interval, confirmed through various methods including electrical profiles, gas detection and fluid sampling.
The consortium, led by Petrobras, will commence laboratory analyses to characterise the reservoir and fluid conditions, which will help assess the area’s potential.
As part of the discovery assessment plan (PAD), which is scheduled to conclude by 2027, two additional wells will be drilled, and a formation test will be conducted.
The PAD may also involve further data acquisition activities, in line with planning and contractual obligations with the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).
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By GlobalDataPetrobras CEO Magda Chambriard said: “This is the second discovery in the same block, following the excellent result already achieved in another exploratory well at the beginning of the year, where we found excellent quality oil. We are investing heavily in the search for new reserves and the results are coming. This year, we have also announced discoveries in Brava and Búzios.”
The Aram block was acquired in March 2020 during the ANP’s sixth bidding round under the production sharing regime.
Petrobras operates the block with an 80% stake, alongside partner China National Petroleum, which holds a 20% interest. Pré-Sal Petróleo acts as the block’s manager.
The first oil exploration test of a deep-water field in the Santos basin was completed in 2022.
In another development, Petrobras has confirmed that the company commenced drilling at well 7-TQ-240D-BA in the Taquipe field, São Sebastião do Passé, marking its return to well-drilling in Bahia after a six-year hiatus.
The operation is carried out by EBS Perfurações using the EBS-08 rig.
Petrobras’ drilling plan, as outlined in its PE 2025-29 strategy, includes drilling an additional 100 wells in Bahia over the next five years, aiming to boost current production levels.
The company’s Bahia Unit employs around 4,300 professionals and operates 20 concessions with approximately 2,000 onshore wells, in addition to the Manati gas platform in the Camamu Basin in Valença.
Earlier this month, Petrobras started commercial operations at the second module of the Boaventura Energy Complex’s Natural Gas Processing Unit in Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
