Brazilian state-controlled energy company Petrobras has confirmed a new pre-salt oil discovery in the Campos Basin offshore Brazil, located in the Marlim Sul field.
The discovery was made in exploratory well 3-BRSA-1397-RJS, situated 113 km off the coast of Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, at a water depth of 1,178 meters, Petrobras said in a statement on March 26.
The company said that “the oil-bearing interval was verified through electrical profiles, gas indications, and fluid sampling.” The samples will be sent for laboratory analysis to “allow the characterization of the conditions of the reservoirs and fluids found, enabling the continuity of the evaluation of the potential of the area.”
Petrobras emphasized that “the drilling of the well was completed safely, respecting the environment and people.” The operation forms part of the company’s strategy to “replenish oil reserves in mature areas, ensuring the company’s sustainability and meeting the national energy demand in the period of energy diversification.”
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The Marlim Sul field, where the discovery was made, was originally discovered in November 1987 through well 4-RJS-382.
Petrobras is the operator of the field with a 100% stake, continuing to develop it to support Brazil’s offshore production.
The Campos basin, one of Brazil’s most established producing regions, has seen renewed exploration focus as operators target deeper pre-salt intervals beneath legacy fields. The Marlim Sul area continues to offer upside potential through advanced drilling and reservoir evaluation techniques.
In 2024, Petrobras garnered recognition for its innovations in revitalizing mature fields within the deepwater Campos Basin, particularly advancements in the Marlim field. The Distinguished Achievement Award was presented to former President of Petrobras, Jean Paul Prates, at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in the “Companies, Organizations, and Institutions” category.
