An oil discovery in Namibia, with more than 10 billion barrels, has given new life to Brazilian expectations. The Pelotas Basin, in the southern region, is seen as the next big bet to guarantee national energy security. With geological characteristics similar to those of the African country, the area could become the “successor of the pre-salt.”
A discovery more than 6 kilometers away could be the key to a promising energy future in Brazil.
The coast of Namibia, a country in southwest Africa, has revealed oil deposits which could exceed the 10 billion barrel mark, transforming the region into an epicenter of global interest.
What does this have to do with Brazil? Much more than it seems.
- UK wants to extract 500 million barrels of oil from the Falkland Islands and reignites historic territorial dispute with Argentina
- Petrobras is already training to rescue animals affected by oil in the mouth of the Amazon, the “new” pre-salt
- Petrobras invests more than R$700 million to expand onshore oil and gas production, with expectations of generating more than 500 jobs in Bahia
- Norwegian energy giant abandons renewables, cuts €4bn and turns to oil for profit
According to a report from the G1 portal, geologists and experts point out that the common geological past between the continents may indicate the existence of equally promising reserves in the so-called Pelotas Basin, located between Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina.
A promising geological connection
As explained by the general director of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), Rodolfo Saboia, Brazil is eyeing new exploratory frontiers to maintain its energy security.
“A large part of the production comes from the pre-salt basins, which tend to decline from 2030 onwards”, said Saboia. In this context, the Pelotas Basin stands out as a possible solution.
This promising relationship dates back millions of years, when South America and Africa formed a single continental block, the supercontinent Gondwana.
The separation of land masses, which occurred between 115 and 120 million years ago, left similar geological marks on both sides of the Atlantic.
Recent studies indicate that these shared characteristics may hide significant oil reserves off the Brazilian coast.
Namibia: the trigger for interest in Brazil
Professor Juliano Kuchle, a specialist in paleontology at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), explained that the discoveries in Namibia occurred in deep marine sandy deposits.
These sedimentary formations, dated between 125 and 110 million years old, have revealed oil fields such as Graff, Rona and Venus, with potential of more than 10 billion barrels.
“The same type of reservoir that we found in Namibia also exists in the Pelotas Basin. They are similar formations, with characteristics that are favorable to extraction,” declared Kuchle.
He also highlighted that, until about a decade ago, oil in Namibia was practically unknown, which demonstrates the unexplored potential of the Brazilian coast.
What is the Pelotas Basin?
Located on the southern coast of Brazil, the Pelotas Basin encompasses around 44 exploration blocks, operated by major companies such as Petrobras, Shell and Chevron. Although there is still no confirmation of the presence of oil in the region, the outlook is encouraging.
Exploratory studies and drilling are underway, but the full process could take years, possibly extending into the early part of the next decade.
The ANP director explained that, if significant reserves are confirmed, “The Pelotas Basin can become a key piece in Brazil’s energy strategy.”
Experts believe that exploration will be an important step in preventing the country from becoming dependent on oil imports again.
Environmental and economic impacts
If, on the one hand, expectations surrounding the Pelotas Basin are high, on the other, environmental challenges represent a point of attention.
The region is located in an area with rich marine biodiversity, including endangered species.
Therefore, environmental licensing will be a crucial step, with the need to balance economic development and environmental preservation.
In economic terms, the discovery of oil in the Pelotas Basin could generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, in addition to leveraging billion-dollar investments in the energy sector.
Petrobras has already shown interest in expanding its operations in the south of the country, signaling the region's growth potential.
Energy future and the search for the 'pre-salt successor'
The discovery of oil in Namibia has rekindled interest in regions such as the Pelotas Basin, which for years were considered a low priority.
“Brazil needs to find new exploratory frontiers to guarantee its energy security,” highlighted Saboia.
With the possibility of a “pre-salt successor,” the country can secure its position as one of the largest oil producers in the world.
However, the road to get there will be long and full of challenges. In-depth studies, massive investments and overcoming environmental barriers will be crucial to transforming the potential of the Pelotas Basin into reality.
With so many technological advances and surprising discoveries, is Brazil ready to make the most of the riches hidden beneath its coast? Leave your opinion in the comments!
The government spurs Brazil's wealth so as not to depend on other countries and distribute wealth here in Brazil to improve the people's lives.
You have to take advantage of the opportunity for expansion and become less and less dependent on external interests.
We remain in faith and hope that it will work out, this will be very important for the country and for our people, may God bless