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Petrobras wants to transform Espírito Santo into an oil powerhouse again, with billions in investments, new wells, a platform ship and recent discoveries that rekindle the state's leading role in the national energy sector.
With billion-dollar investments planned for the coming years, Petrobras is betting on Espírito Santo as one of its main fronts for expansion in oil and natural gas production in Brazil.
A Brazilian state-owned plans to double production in the state by 2030, targeting an average of 500 barrels of oil per day — more than double the current production, estimated at around 230 barrels per day.
According to the general manager of the Petrobras Business Unit in Espírito Santo, Guilherme Sargenti, the state of Espírito Santo occupies a strategic place in the company's plans. and will be the destination of around R$35 billion of the R$44,2 billion planned for the oil and gas sector in the region over the next five years.
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“Our goal is to restore Espírito Santo’s leading role in the oil and gas industry. We want to relive that golden age, when local production played an essential role in national supply and in generating wealth for the state.”, stated Sargenti during the launch of the 8th edition of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry Yearbook in Espírito Santo, held at Palácio Anchieta.
Growth driven by new wells and promising discoveries
The expansion plan involves the interconnection of more than 70 new wells to existing units in the state, which will represent a significant increase compared to the 84 wells currently operational.
Most of these investments are concentrated in areas of the southern coast of Espírito Santo, where sedimentary basins with high exploration potential are located.
In addition to the wells already in operation, Petrobras has been investing in intensifying research and drilling in deep and ultra-deep areas, especially after recent discoveries that have rekindled optimism in the sector.
One of the most relevant discoveries took place in the Monai field, in deep waters off the coast of Espírito Santo., where the state-owned company identified new natural gas reserves.
Still in the evaluation phase, the discovery could represent a promising new exploration frontier in the state.
"We have invested in exploratory drilling even in challenging environments. In the last year alone, we have drilled two wells in ultra-deep waters. We are still analyzing the viability and conditions of the reservoirs, but we are quite confident about the potential of the region.”, Sargenti explained.
Maria Quitéria: the floating hope in the Whale Park
One of the biggest symbols of this new phase of investments is the platform ship (FPSO) Maria Quitéria, which began operations in October 2024 at Parque das Baleias, an area of great importance in the Espírito Santo Basin.
With the capacity to produce up to 100 barrels per day, the FPSO is currently in its initial phase, operating with only one active well and extracting around 10 barrels per day.
However, in April 2025, production is expected to double with the entry into operation of a second well., increasing the capacity used to approximately 20%.
Petrobras expects production to increase progressively until it reaches full capacity in 2026.
In all, the ship will be connected to 17 wells: nine oil producers and eight water injectors, essential for maintaining reservoir pressure and ensuring extraction efficiency.
Espírito Santo returns to the radar of major investments
Historically, Espírito Santo has played a prominent role in the Brazilian energy matrix, especially between 2007 and 2012, a period of strong expansion of the oil industry in the state.
With the discovery of pre-salt, part of the investments migrated to the Santos Basin and other regions of the Southeast, but the resumption of focus on the Espírito Santo coast shows a strategic diversification on the part of Petrobras.
In addition to oil, the state has also stood out in the production of natural gas, a rising energy source in the context of the global energy transition.
The company has invested in infrastructure for transporting and processing locally extracted gas, with an eye on the growing demand for less polluting fuels.
Another important factor is the synergy between the oil and gas industry and local production sectors., such as civil construction, logistics and engineering.
The increase in investments promises to boost the economy of Espírito Santo, generating direct and indirect jobs and strengthening the local supply chain.
"For this new cycle of growth to be sustainable, it is essential that entrepreneurs are prepared and capable of absorbing the opportunities that will come.”, reinforced Sargenti.
Sustainable development is also on the radar
Despite the focus on production, Petrobras has also emphasized that the new projects are aligned with its environmental and social commitments, following practices that seek to minimize environmental impacts and promote the development of communities neighboring operations.
The company has adopted advanced environmental monitoring technologies, in addition to programs aimed at protecting marine biodiversity, especially in regions such as Parque das Baleias, where coexistence with sensitive species is constant.
We also pack any water reuse and reduction of carbon emissions are part of the operational parameters required in the new units, in accordance with the company’s own guidelines and Brazilian environmental standards.
Promising future on the horizon
With the resumption of investments in Espírito Santo, Petrobras signals a new phase of appreciation of the Espírito Santo coast as a strategic axis for the national energy sector.
The combination of recent discoveries, expansion of infrastructure and increased production positions the state as one of the state-owned company's biggest bets for the coming years.
If the goals are achieved, Espírito Santo could, by 2030, account for a considerable share of national oil and gas production, putting itself back on the map of the country's major energy hubs.
Do you believe that Espírito Santo will be able to reach this new peak in oil and gas production in the coming years? What else could be done to ensure sustainable and lasting development in the region? Comment below!
