The Board of Directors of Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency (ANP) has given its approval to the geological and economic studies of three exploratory blocks situated in the pre-salt region of the Santos Basin. These blocks, known as Amazonita, Safira Leste, and Safira Oeste, have now moved a step closer to potential inclusion into the recently announced rounds for oil and gas exploration and production.
Following ANP’s approval, the next step involves submitting the blocks to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) for a comprehensive assessment of their feasibility in future rounds. The MME holds the responsibility of proposing to the National Council of Energy Policy (CNPE) which blocks should be considered for production-sharing bidding rounds and what parameters should be applied.
ANP said the combined area of these three blocks encompasses approximately 11,300 square kilometres, and they exhibit substantial oil potential, with an estimated in-place volume of 16.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The average estimated recoverable volume stands at 3.6 billion barrels of oil equivalent.
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The findings from these studies indicate the substantial potential of these areas for natural gas exploration and production. They also highlight favourable conditions for technically and financially viable projects within the region.
“Taking into account the geographical layout of the pre-salt polygon, the studies were concentrated in sectors SS-AP1 and SS-AP2, recognised for their high exploratory potential. Additionally, focus was directed towards sectors SS-AUP1 and SS-AUP2, which align with the new exploratory frontier model,” ANP said.
As per the proposed schedule, the ANP has set December 13, 2023 for the second round, involving pre-salt acreage and the fourth round encompassing both onshore and offshore exploration blocks beyond the pre-salt polygon.
For the second pre-salt round, the regulatory body has confirmed the participation of 13 qualified companies eligible to submit offers for the six available areas. These areas include Agata, Cruzeiro do Sul, Esmeralda, Jade, and Tupinamba in the Campos basin and Turmalina in the Santos basin.
The fourth round has a total of 955 exploration blocks, plus the Japiim marginal accumulation, available for offers.
