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Petrobras Confirms That the Tupi/Iracema Field Has Returned to a High Oil Production Level in the Pre-Salt, Reinforcing Operational Efficiency and the Potential of the Large Reservoirs in the Santos Basin
On January 13, 2026, Petrobras officially announced that the Tupi/Iracema Field has returned to the mark of 1 million barrels per day of oil production, repeating the historical level achieved for the first time in 2019. Located in the pre-salt of the Santos Basin, the field is a strategic asset of the company and a major production hub for the country.
Petrobras Confirms Resumption of Oil Production in the Tupi/Iracema Field
The announcement confirms the production recovery capacity of the asset and reinforces the role of the pre-salt as a central pillar of Petrobras‘ strategy for the coming years. The result is considered significant from an operational, technical, and strategic standpoint, especially in the context of the new Business Plan for 2026–2030.
Petrobras officially communicated that the Tupi/Iracema Field has reached oil production of 1 million barrels per day, repeating a milestone previously achieved in 2019. The field is part of the Tupi hub, in the pre-salt of the Santos Basin, one of the most productive areas in the global offshore industry.
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The resumption does not represent an abrupt expansion, but rather the recovery of a production level compatible with the magnitude of the reservoir. According to the company, performance reflects a combination of advanced reservoir management, continuous improvement in operational efficiency, and targeted investments.
Oil Production in the Pre-Salt Aligned with Petrobras’ Business Plan
The performance of the Tupi/Iracema Field is aligned with Petrobras’ Business Plan 2026–2030, which anticipates a gradual increase in the oil and natural gas production curve. The plan prioritizes high productivity assets, such as those located in the pre-salt, deemed essential for long-term value generation.
Among the main strategic axes are more precise reservoir management, improved production efficiency, and increased efficiency in water injection systems. These actions allow for sustained high production volumes over time, reducing operational risks and enhancing ultimate oil recovery.
Tupi/Iracema Field and the Strategic Role of Brazil’s Pre-Salt
The Tupi/Iracema Field was the first major giant field in the Brazilian pre-salt and remains one of the most relevant assets in Petrobras’ portfolio. Since production began, the field has stood out for its high well productivity and the quality of extracted oil.
According to the president of Petrobras, Magda Chambriard, the company has always believed in the potential for the field’s recovery. She stated that this asset has high productivity reserves, compatible with the levels it has returned to.
The executive also highlighted that currently, the state company operates two fields with potential above 1 million barrels per day: Tupi/Iracema and Búzios, both located in the pre-salt of the Santos Basin.
Investments and Interconnection of Wells Sustain Oil Production
Throughout 2025, Petrobras interconnected 11 new wells in the Tupi/Iracema Field, expanding the productive capacity of the asset. As a result, the field now has over 150 drilled wells, which directly contributed to the return to the level of 1 million barrels per day.
In addition to recent interconnections, the company is evaluating the drilling of new wells and studying the possibility of installing a new platform starting in 2031. The extension of the lifespan of some of the nine platforms currently operating in the field is also under review.
All of these initiatives depend on regulatory approvals, including decisions from the consortium and the National Petroleum Agency (ANP), especially concerning licensing and extension of authorizations.
Petrobras Highlights Efficiency and Innovation in the Pre-Salt
The Director of Exploration and Production at Petrobras, Sylvia Anjos, stated that the return of the Tupi/Iracema Field to the level of 1 million barrels per day reinforces the competitiveness of the pre-salt over its 16 years of development.
According to her, the Brazilian pre-salt combines a unique combination of giant reserves, high productivity per well, oil with a lower carbon footprint, and operational efficiency above the global industry average.
This set of factors has transformed the pre-salt into one of the most attractive oil frontiers in the world, as well as a fertile environment for technological innovation.
Cumulative Production of the Pre-Salt and Leadership of the Major Fields
In January 2025, the pre-salt reached the mark of 7 billion barrels of accumulated oil production, consolidating its relevance for Brazil’s energy matrix. The three largest fields in operation in this layer are Tupi/Iracema, Búzios, and Mero.
Currently, out of the 57 production platforms operated by Petrobras, 28 are exclusively in the pre-salt, highlighting the concentration of investments and productive capacity in this geological province.
The Tupi/Iracema Field leads this group, both in volume and historical and technical importance for the development of the national offshore industry.
Corporate Structure and Operation of the Tupi/Iracema Field
The Tupi/Iracema Field is operated by Petrobras, in partnership with Shell and Petrogal Brasil. PPSA acts as the representative of the Union in the Shared Deposit of Tupi, ensuring the participation of the Brazilian state in the management of the asset.
This governance model allows for greater legal security, shared investments, and alignment with regulatory guidelines of the oil and gas sector in Brazil.
An Operational Milestone That Reinforces the Strength of the Pre-Salt
The return of the Tupi/Iracema Field to the level of 1 million barrels per day of oil production, announced on January 13, 2026, reinforces the asset’s robustness and Petrobras‘ technical capability in the pre-salt.
The result confirms that continuous investments, operational efficiency, and advanced reservoir management can sustain large productive volumes over time. Additionally, it consolidates the pre-salt as one of the main vectors for value generation for the company and the Brazilian oil industry.
With the prospect of new wells, possible infrastructure expansion, and maintenance of high operational standards, Tupi/Iracema remains one of the pillars of national production and a symbol of the maturity of the Brazilian pre-salt.
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