Repsol Sinopec Brazil and its partners Petrobras and BG Group have announced a new oil discovery in the Carioca area, located in block BM-S-9, which confirms the potential in the Brazilian pre-salt Santos Basin area.

The discovery was made in the 4-SPS-81A (4-BRSA-973A-SPS) well, known as Abaré, and is located 35 km south of the Carioca discovery well and 293 km off the São Paulo coast.

Initial tests have shown the existence of a good quality oil of 28 ° API in carbonate reservoirs at a depth of 4,830 meters. A drill stem formation test is planned to evaluate productivity of the interval.

Additionally, further tests are being carried out at the Carioca Northeast well, discovered last January by Repsol and the same consortium. The results obtained so far indicate a production potential of over 28,000 barrels per day, revealing higher than initial production expectations. Currently, the well produces a restricted flow rate of 23,400 barrels per day as required by the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).

In addition to the discovery in Abaré, four wells have been drilled and two more tests have been carried out in accordance with ANP Carioca Assessment Plan commitments.

In light of the new results obtained, the consortium plans to carry out further tests to evaluate the total potential of the Carioca area. For this, ANP has approved an additional program of activities and extended the deadline for the declaration of commerciality until December 31, 2013. The project’s development and production start-up schedule in the Carioca area continues as planned.