1. Home
  2. / Economy
  3. / Petrobras confirms one of its biggest discoveries and has already set a date to begin exploration  
reading time 4 min read Comments 0 comments

Petrobras confirms one of its biggest discoveries and has already set a date to begin exploration  

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published 05/12/2024 às 13:01

One of the largest gas discoveries in history was made by Petrobras. With the potential to triple reserves, the well promises to revolutionize the energy sector.

It is in the depths of the Caribbean Sea that Petrobras has just taken a transformative step in natural gas exploration.

The Sirius-2 offshore well, located about 77 kilometers off the Colombian coast, has brought to the surface an impressive volume of gas that could redefine Colombia's energy future.

This discovery, announced in December 2024, is already considered one of the most important in recent history, but there is much more behind this operation than the billion-dollar numbers.

Drilling of the Sirius-2 well, which began in June 2024, confirmed volumes exceeding 6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in place, according to an official statement from Petrobras.

This amount has the potential to triple Colombia's current reserves, a country that today depends on imports to meet part of its energy needs.

Located in a water depth of 830 meters, the well is explored by a consortium formed by Petrobras, which holds 44,44% of the block, and Ecopetrol, the Colombian state-owned company that owns the other 55,56%.

The discovery is more than a technical achievement — it represents a milestone for Colombia’s ambitions to achieve energy self-sufficiency in the coming years.

Furthermore, natural gas is one of the least polluting alternatives among fossil fuels, which aligns this discovery with global energy transition efforts.

Billion-dollar investment and technological innovation

To make production viable, the consortium plans to invest US$ 1,2 billion in the exploratory phase and US$2,9 billion for production development.

These values ​​are directly related to the use of advanced technologies.

One of the highlights of the project is the model “subsea to shore”, which allows the extraction and transportation of gas directly from the seabed to the coast, eliminating the need for large offshore platforms.

The plan foresees gas production through four wells, with an estimated daily capacity of 13 million cubic meters, enough to meet a significant part of the country's gas demand for a decade.

According to Petrobras, the implementation of this technology involves a series of detailed environmental and geotechnical studies.

Data such as bathymetry (measurement of ocean depth) and seabed characteristics will be essential for the installation of gas pipelines and gas treatment units on land.

The impact for Colombia

For Colombia, this discovery represents a unique opportunity to redefine its energy matrix.

Currently, the country faces significant challenges related to the import of natural gas, which increases costs and makes it difficult to access cleaner and more efficient energy.

With the start of production at Sirius-2, the expectation is that Colombia will not only become self-sufficient, but will also position itself as a gas exporter to other Latin American countries.

This change has the potential to strengthen the local economy, create jobs and attract new investment in the energy sector.

Furthermore, the discovery consolidates the partnership between Petrobras and Ecopetrol as one of the most important in the recent history of the region's energy sector.

The role of Petrobras

Petrobras is recognized worldwide for its expertise in the exploration of resources in deep and ultra-deep waters.

This project, in particular, is aligned with the Business Plan 2025-2029, which foresees the expansion of international operations and investment in cleaner energy sources.

For the Brazilian state-owned company, Sirius-2 also represents an opportunity to increase its competitiveness in the global market, especially at a time when pressures for sustainability and energy efficiency are increasingly greater.

Furthermore, the operation reinforces the importance of Petrobras' strategic presence in Colombia, a country that has been consolidating itself as an important hub for hydrocarbon development in South America.

When does production start?

While the discovery is cause for celebration, there is still a way to go before the gas from Sirius-2 reaches consumers.

Petrobras estimates that production will begin in three years, after obtaining all environmental licenses and completing studies on commercial viability.

If the deadlines are met, the project should be fully operational by 2027, supplying natural gas consistently and with controlled environmental impact.

What to expect from the future?

The discovery of Sirius-2 marks a new chapter for Petrobras, Colombia and the Latin American energy sector as a whole.

It demonstrates how technological innovation and international cooperation can drive strategic projects with long-term economic and environmental benefits.

However, the success of the project will depend on efficient management and a balanced approach between economic exploitation and socio-environmental responsibility.

With so much at stake, the question remains: will Sirius-2 gas be the turning point for Colombia and Petrobras’ energy future?

  • Reaction
  • Reaction
  • Reaction
  • Reaction
10 people reacted to this.
React to article
Register
Notify
guest
0 Comments
Older
Last Most voted
Feedbacks
View all comments
Alisson Ficher

Journalist graduated in 2017 and working in the field since 2015, with six years of experience in print magazines and over 12 thousand online publications. Specialist in politics, jobs, economics, courses, among other topics. If you have any questions, want to report an error or suggest a topic on the topics covered on the site, please contact us by email: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. We do not accept resumes!

Share across apps
0
We would love your opinion on this subject, comment!x