Murphy to join Wintershall Dea in three blocks offshore Brazil

Oct. 10, 2019
Wintershall Dea has agreed to farm down a 30% participating interest in three blocks in the Potiguar basin offshore Brazil to Murphy Brasil Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e Gás Ltda.

Offshore staff

KASSEL, Germany Wintershall Dea has agreed to farm down a 30% participating interest in three blocks in the Potiguar basin offshore Brazil to Murphy Oil Corp. subsidiary Murphy Brasil Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e Gás Ltda.

Wintershall Dea will retain a 70% participating interest and operatorship of blocks POT-M-857, POT-M-863, and POT-M-865.

The agreement is subject to a final regulatory approval by Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels.

Thilo Wieland, member of the Management Board of Wintershall Dea and responsible for Brazil, said: “The farm-down is in line with Wintershall Dea’s strategy of having a balanced portfolio. Brazil plays an important role for the company, as a region for growth.”

The company was awarded the three blocks with a 100% participating interest including operatorship in Brazil’s 15th Concession Bidding Round in November 2018.

As part of the work program, a 3D seismic campaign is under way in the area.

The three blocks cover an area of 3,133 sq km (1,210 sq mi) and are in the Potiguar basin, a proven hydrocarbon system on the Equatorial Margin in northeastern Brazil and near the Pitu light oil discovery.

The companies are also partners in block 5 offshore Mexico.

10/10/2019