Project Profile
Location: Off the northeast state of Bahia
Area: 149,000 sq km
Exploration start-up: 2010
The pre-salt province covers 149,000 square kilometres of mainly deepwater acreage, stretching from the southern state of Santa Catarina to Espirito Santo and possibly beyond. The Jequitinhonha basin runs outside the delimited area. The Jequitinhonha basin is off the northeast state of Bahia and has some similar characteristics to the prolific Santos basin pre-salt zone, though the salt is more thinly and irregularly layed. So far, only five blocks have been awarded in the almost uncharted region. Petrobras operates four licences - BM-J-1, BM-J-3, BM-J-4 and BM-J-5 - while Queiroz Galvao Oil&Gas wholly owns Block BM-J-2. The Brazilian independent was already cleared by environmental authorities to start drilling activities in BM-J-2 in early 2010.
A 40 % interest in license BM-J-3 was awarded to Statoil in the 4th Bid Round in 2002. Petrobras is operator for the block, with a 60 % interest, and the partners were committed to drill two exploration wells. The first well was spudded in 2008 and completed in 2009. The second well was drilled in 2009. The wells resulted in two discoveries, the Lua Nova and Velho Barreiro oil discoveries. The licence has been split into two development areas, and Statoil is participating in the area related to the Lua Nova oil discovery and will take part in the appraisal work of this area.
Operators:
Petrobras: Operator with 60% interest
Statoil: 40% interest
Contractors:
Diamond Offshore: Drilling contract