Large Prospects in Pernambuco-Paraíba Basin

Aug 14, 2019

A study by Brazil Petroleum Studies (BPS) and Spectrum / TGS identified reservoirs with up to 450 million boe in the Pernambuco-Paraíba Basin. The volume is similar to discoveries such as Barra, in Sergipe-Alagoas (500 million boe), and Pitu, in Rio Grande do Norte (640 million boe).

The analysis, which consisted of the mapping of seven prospects with an area ranging from 50 km² to 200 km², concluded that most of the localized oil is light and concentrated in the Aptian section (Lower Cretaceous era), such as the Mundaú formations. -Paracurú, in Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará.

“When viewing adjacent basins, the potential for giant light oil discoveries in Pernambuco-Paraíba is as good as that of the Potiguar-Ceará or Sergipe-Alagoas basins,” says the study, which was presented by BPS CEO Márcio Melo.

For the executive, who is former president of HRT (current PetroRio), Sergipe-Alagoas will be the next major exploratory frontier in the country. “In less than a month, four majors bought data from us,” he said.

Promoted by Spectrum – whose merger with TGS should be completed this quarter – the event was attended by former Minister of Mines and Energy, Fernando Coelho Filho. He sees Petrobras’ divestments in refining as a chance to leverage E&P activities in the Northeast.

“I believe that if Petrobras can sell RNEST and RLAM, there will be a unique opportunity for the industry to exploit the Pernambuco-Paraíba and Sergipe-Alagoas basins,” noted the current federal deputy for the Pernambuco DEM.

Paulo Mario Correia Araújo of Ecology and Environment Brazil – a company hired by the ANP to provide environmental consulting services in Sergipe-Alagoas – drew attention to possible difficulties in supporting activities in the region.

“What will be the infrastructure to meet such great potential?” He asked.

IHS Markit Director, Ricardo Bedregal, said Brazil’s deepwater competitive advantage is “unparalleled” and that the country’s perception of risk will improve over the coming years relative to Latin American competitors such as Guyana, Suriname and Mexico.

According to the consultant, Brazilian offshore exploration should attract US $ 34 billion by 2028 for basin projects at different maturation stages.

The Pernambuco-Paraíba Basin is the only Brazilian basin without wells drilled in its marine portion. In the 16th round of the ANP, scheduled for this year, five blocks in the basin will be offered: PEPB-M-731, PEPB-M-787, PEPB-M-843, PEPB-M-898 and PEPB-M-900.

Source: Brasil Energia Magazine