Oil exploration in Rio Grande do Norte generates R$ 18,2 million in investments

The four companies that acquired the blocks should invest around R$ 18.2 million in Rio Grande do Norte over the next three years.

Rio Grande do Norte stood out in the 1st Permanent Oil and Gas Auction held by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), which took place this Tuesday, September 10 in Rio de Janeiro. Last month, Petrobras ended its activities in an exploration well in the state.

A total of 33 exploratory blocks were auctioned, 19 of which (57,57%) are in the West Potiguar region, benefiting Rio Grande do Norte with R$ 18.254.500,00 with investments in research, well drilling and oil exploration. The investments will be made by the four companies that acquired the blocks.

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Sector representatives claim that the auctioning of these exploratory blocks means the resumption of oil production on land, but without Petrobras' participation in the process.

“This shows that there is a good outlook for the resumption of onshore oil and gas production. Companies are optimistic and our fields still have a lot to offer. The State needs to take advantage of this moment to grow again”, said Gutemberg Dias, president of RedePetro/RN.

According to Gutemberg, the funds announced by the companies for investments in Rio Grande do Norte should be used over a period of three years, as the processes include the assumption of the areas to be explored, development of research with the objective of finding new potential exploration areas, well drilling, economic viability analysis and oil extraction itself.

“We want companies to discover more wells”, highlights Dias. For the time being, he says that it is not possible to estimate how many direct and indirect jobs will be generated, nor how much oil will be produced. “All of this depends on the studies that will be carried out”, highlights Gutemberg.

33 blocks were auctioned in the Sergipe-Alagoas, Parnaíba, Potiguar and Recôncavo basins, and 12 areas with marginal accumulations, in the Potiguar, Sergipe-Alagoas, Recôncavo and Espírito Santo basins, in the auction held this Tuesday.

The total bonus collected for the exploratory blocks was R$ 15,32 million (average premium of 61,48%) and there is a forecast of R$ 309,8 million in investments. As for areas with marginal accumulations, the total bonus was R$ 6,98 million (premium of 2.221,78%), with a forecast of R$ 10,5 million in investments. For Rio Grande do Norte, the total signature bonus was R$ 3.967.750,30.

1,2 oil wells will be drilled by 2023, according to ANP