Petrobras Discovers Oil In Ultra-Deep Waters Of The Potiguar Basin

Petrobras discovered an accumulation of oil in ultra-deep waters of the Potiguar Basin, in the Anhangá exploratory well, in the POT-M-762_R15 Concession. Well 1-BRSA-1390-RNS (Anhangá) is located close to the border between the states of Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte, approximately 190 km from Fortaleza and 250 km from Natal, in a water depth of 2,196 meters , on the Brazilian Equatorial Margin.

This is the second discovery in the Potiguar Basin in 2024 and was preceded by the confirmation of the presence of hydrocarbons in the Pitu Oeste Well, located in the BM-POT-17 Concession, approximately 24 km from Anhangá. Such discoveries still deserve additional evaluations. Petrobras is the operator of both concessions and holds 100% interest.

Exploratory activities in the Equatorial Margin represent another step in Petrobras' commitment to seeking the replacement of reserves and the development of new exploratory frontiers that ensure global energy demand is met during the energy transition.

The new campaign was executed in line with Petrobras' history of excellence and absolute safety, without any incidents, reinforcing the company's commitment to respect for people and the environment.

“The company has a history of almost 3 thousand wells drilled in deep and ultra-deep water environments, without any type of complication or impact on the environment, which, combined with the technical capacity and experience accumulated over almost 70 years, enables the company to open new borders and handle its operations in the Equatorial Margin with complete security,” says Petrobras president Jean Paul Prates.

In addition to activities on the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, the company acquired, in 2023, new blocks in the Pelotas Basin, in southern Brazil, and stakes in three exploratory blocks in São Tomé and Príncipe, a country on the west coast of Africa.

About The Discovery In Anhangá
The discovery of oil-bearing turbidite reservoirs of Albian age is unprecedented in the Potiguar Basin and was carried out through electrical profiles and oil samples, which will be later characterized through laboratory analyses. Petrobras will continue exploratory activities in the POT-M-762_R15 Concession, aiming to evaluate the quality of the reservoirs, the characteristics of the oil and the technical-commercial viability of the accumulation.

To evaluate the discoveries, Petrobras applies geological and geophysical technological solutions, combined with the expertise and excellence of the company's technical staff, as well as its global leadership in deep and ultra-deep water operations.

The drilling of this second exploratory well was also completed safely, within the most rigorous operating protocols in deep waters, which reaffirms that Petrobras is prepared to carry out activities in the Equatorial Margin with full responsibility.

The exploratory success in Guyana and Suriname corroborates the importance of Petrobras continuing its campaign in the Brazilian Equatorial Margin Basins, as foreseen in its Strategic Plan 2024-2028.

“With the advancement of exploratory research in the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, we have increased knowledge of this region, considered a new and promising frontier in ultra-deep waters, which will be fundamental for the company’s future, guaranteeing the supply of oil necessary for the country’s development” , says Exploration and Production Director Joelson Mendes.

The company intends to invest US$7.5B in exploration by 2028, with US$3.1B in the Equatorial Margin, which stretches from Amapá to Rio Grande do Norte. It is planned to drill 50 new exploratory wells in the period, 16 of which in the Equatorial Margin region.

Just Energy Transition
New oil and gas reserves are strategic for the country and essential for ensuring national energy security and sovereignty, in the scenario of a fair energy transition. The opening of this new frontier is also aligned with the company's strategic pillar of maximizing the value of the portfolio with a focus on profitable assets, replenishing oil and gas reserves, increasing the supply of natural gas and promoting the decarbonization of operations.

If Brazil maintains oil demand at current levels and no new reserves are incorporated, the country could become an oil importer, hence the importance of energy diversification, guaranteeing both the oil supply and investments in new low-cost energies. carbon.

License
To obtain the drilling license for this well, Petrobras carried out a pre-operational assessment (APO), in which it demonstrated to Ibama that it was prepared to operate safely in the region. See video about this simulated emergency exercise here.