Petrobras confirmed today (12/06) the discovery of new natural gas reservoirs to the north of the Camarupim field, in the Espírito Santo Basin, with the drilling of pioneer well 4-ESS-177 and exploratory well 6-ESS-168. The discovery also confirms the Espírito Santos Basin’s high potential for gas and light oil, which is expected to result in increased recoverable volumes from the area and already accounts for a substantial part of the production plans under the Gas Production Anticipation Plan (Plangás).
The pioneer well was drilled at a depth of 708 meters from the surface water, off the coast of Espírito Santo, and found 101-meter thick gas-saturated sandy reservoirs at a depth of 3,417 meters. This well, located in exploratory block BM-ES-5, is operated by Petrobras, which holds a 65% interest in it, in partnership with the Brazilian subsidiary of American outfit El Paso Corporation (NYSE: EP), which holds the remaining 35%.
In addition to the gas, the Pioneer well also detected light oil in shallower reservoirs, at a depth of 2,461 meters. This Discovery also reinforces the major potential of prospects that have yet to be drilled in the same block.