English 
Spanish 
3 min read
0 comments
Discovery by Petrobras occurred in the Aram block, 245 km from Santos, and may indicate new volumes of oil and gas in the region
Petrobras announced the discovery of hydrocarbons in the Aram block, located in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin, one of Brazil's main oil production hubs. According to a statement released by the state-owned company in March 2025, drilling of well 4-BRSA-1395-SPS, which is still in progress, has already identified signs of oil and natural gas at a depth of 1.759 meters. The block is located 245 km off the coast of Santos (SP). This discovery reinforces Petrobras' interest in expanding production in the pre-salt layer, as highlighted by Magda Chambriard, the company's CEO.
Petrobras operates the Aram pre-salt block with an 80% stake, having as a partner the Chinese state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), which holds the remaining 20%. This block was acquired in 2020, during the 6th pre-salt bidding round, organized by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), under the production sharing regime. According to the ANP, the concession for the Aram block was one of the most disputed at the time due to its great production potential.
What does this discovery mean?
The discovery of Petrobras hydrocarbons was made through electrical profiles, gas traces and fluid samples, techniques used to evaluate rock formations and the presence of oil. According to Petrobras itself, the samples extracted from the well will undergo detailed laboratory analysis to determine the commercial viability of the reserve and guide the next steps in exploration.
- With European demand falling, Petrobras targets China and India to transport Brazilian oil
- Rio de Janeiro municipalities enter into billion-dollar dispute over oil royalties
- MSGás receives approval from ANP to import gas and positions Mato Grosso do Sul as a new international route for the input
- United States records drop in oil and gasoline stocks
Industry experts point out that the discovery in the Aram block reinforces the importance of the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin, which already houses giant production fields such as Lula, Búzios and Sapinhoá. According to data from the National Petroleum Agency (ANP), these areas represent more than 70% of oil production in Brazil, consolidating the Santos Basin as the country's main oil frontier.
Petrobras' next steps in the exploration of the Aram block
In a statement, Petrobras said it will continue drilling the well and conduct formation tests to determine the productivity of the reserve. If the results are positive, the company will be able to begin the production development phase, integrating the new field with the offshore platforms already in operation in the region.
Petrobras' Exploration and Production Director, Sylvia Anjos, stated that the Santos Basin continues to be a priority in the company's investments, since it concentrates more than 90% of the state-owned company's proven reserves. He also highlighted that Petrobras has been expanding its exploratory capacity, not only in ultra-deep waters, but also in optimizing processes to make pre-salt extraction more efficient and profitable.
Impact on the oil and gas market
The exploration of Brazil's pre-salt layer could have a direct impact on the oil market, since new reserves indicate potential for increased domestic production. According to a recent report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Brazil is already among the ten largest oil producers in the world, with pre-salt layers accounting for approximately 75% of the country's total production.
The Petrobras CNPC partnership also strengthens the state-owned company's position in the international market, making Brazil one of the main oil exporters to China and Europe. Data released by the Ministry of Mines and Energy indicate that, in 2024 alone, Brazil's oil exports grew by 14%, reflecting the importance of new discoveries for the country's trade balance.
