Petrobras reveals plans to drill new wells in the ARAM block and abroad

(PN) Petrobras’ Director of Exploration and Production, Sylvia dos Anjos, detailed the company’s next steps in Brazil and abroad during a press conference. One of the company’s focuses continues to be the Aram area, in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin, where two new drillings are planned, following the second discovery of oil in the area. The expectation is that these new wells will help to better delimit the central area and the northeast region of the block.

Sylvia emphasized that Aram and the Equatorial Margin are part of the company’s strategic planning, which also continues with open fronts in the Southeast and South regions. The most recent discoveries, however, are still in the exploratory phase. “We are carrying out the assessments. The reserves stage will be further down the line. However, as soon as we conclude the analyses and finalize the planned wells — and are able to validate these wells — we will be able to estimate the recoverable volumes,” she stated. According to her, the data that has been collected will be integrated with information from other areas, such as Brava, Forno and the Marlim pre-salt layer. “We believe that, as soon as this is concluded, we will be able to disclose the recoverable volumes of these areas,” she said. Petrobras also has an active schedule abroad. In Colombia, the company is drilling the Buenas Sortes well and has another drilling scheduled. The goal is to expand the initial gas discovery — estimated at 6 TCF (trillion cubic feet) — and enable future exports. For now, the volume from the first discovery should mainly meet the needs of the Colombian domestic market. The project in the Andean country is considered innovative because it adopts the subsea-to-shore model, which takes gas directly from underwater production to the coast, without the use of platforms. However, the schedule depends on the local environmental licensing process. “There are 116 communities to be consulted, of which around 30 have already been completed. It will only be possible to talk about a deadline for the first gas after the license is obtained,” explained Sylvia. With the environmental approval in hand, the project would take two and a half to three years to start operating.

In addition to Colombia, the state-owned company plans to drill in an existing field in Argentina, another in São Tomé and Príncipe (scheduled to start in July), and a partnership with Total in South Africa, which could begin in December or early 2026. The company is also evaluating exploration opportunities in other countries, including India. “The goal is to have a robust portfolio to choose the best opportunities,” concluded the director.