Petrobras makes deepwater pre-salt oil discovery in Santos basin

Jan. 3, 2013
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras has completed pre-salt well 4-SPS-86B (4-BRSA-971-SPS) in block BM-S-8, in ultra-deepwater Santos basin as an oil discovery.

Offshore staff

RIO DE JANEIRO –Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras has completed pre-salt well 4-SPS-86B (4-BRSA-971-SPS) in block BM-S-8, in ultra-deepwater Santos basin as an oil discovery.

The well, informally known as Carcará, is 232 km (144 mi) off the coast in 2,027 m (6,649 ft) water depth. Starting at 5,742 m (18,834 ft) a column was detected containing at least, 471 m (1,545 ft) of 31° API oil with no CO2 or H2S – with 402 m (1,319 ft) in carbonate reservoirs of excellent porosity and permeability. Pressure data indicate these reservoirs are interconnected.

The well did not reach the target TD of 7,000 m (22,960 ft) and has been temporarily abandoned, which could allow the operation to be resumed in the future.

Carcará is expected to produce its first oil in 2018 following the drilling of development wells in 2016-2017, in line with Petrobras’ 2012-2016 Business Plan and Strategic Planning for 2020.

Petrobras is the operator of the consortium (66%) in partnership with Petrogal Brasil (14%), Barra Energia do Brasil Petróleo e Gás Ltda. (10%), and Queiroz Galvão Exploração e Produção S.A. (10%).

The consortium has requested the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP) to extend the deadline of the Discovery Assessment Plan (PAD) of Bem-te-vi, where the well is located, which was due to expire at the end of 2012.

1/3/2013