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Discover details of the drilling that reached almost 6 km underground in Mato Grosso, marking onshore exploration and becoming the deepest well in Brazil on land.
The search for energy resources drove Petrobras on an audacious journey into the depths of Mato Grosso. The result was Salto Magessi-1 (2-SM-1-MT), considered the deepest well ever drilled on land in Brazil, a feat of engineering and geological exploration that reached 5.777 meters below the surface in the Parecis basin.
This milestone of onshore exploration, completed on January 30, 1995, did not reveal commercially viable hydrocarbon reserves, and was classified as “dry”. However, the importance of Salto Magessi-1 transcends immediate commercial exploration, providing crucial data on a frontier basin and consolidating its place in history as the deepest well in Brazil in its segment.
Details of the record-breaking drilling: the sleeping giant in Mato Grosso
The Salto Magessi-1 well was operated by Petrobras. Its exact location is in the Juruena sub-basin, in the state of Mato Grosso. The area with a similar name, APA Salto Magessi, encompasses municipalities such as Sorriso and Santa Rita do Trivelato. The main objective of this pioneering drilling was stratigraphic. The aim was to obtain detailed geological information about the subsurface of the Parecis basin.
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Reaching 5.777 meters (or 5.779 meters, according to another source) established Salto Magessi-1 as a record holder. Unlike offshore exploration, which deals with water depths and thick layers of salt, deep onshore drilling faces challenges such as complex geological formations and logistics in remote areas.
What did the depths of the deepest well in Brazil reveal?
Although it was dry for commercial purposes, the Magessi-1 Well revealed important geological secrets. The well traversed a vast sedimentary column, from the Paleozoic to the Neoproterozoic. Formations such as Uiaritis, Salto das Nuvens, Diamantino, Sepotuba, Raizama, Serra Azul, Araras and Puga were identified. Remarkably, the crystalline basement was not reached.
Oil traces were recorded in three distinct intervals, between 4762-4768 meters and at two levels in the Upper Paraguay Group (4963-4987 meters and 5094-5095 meters). A test confirmed compact sandstone with “rare drops of black oil”. “Immobile gas” was also detected, indicating gas generation in the basin, although not in economically viable volumes or flow conditions. Geochemical analyses indicated a Total Organic Carbon (TOC) of 2,98% at 5.122 meters, indicating rocks with potential for generation.
Scientific legacy: more than a dry well
The scientific and exploratory value of Salto Magessi-1 is immense. The data collected allowed a reassessment of the stratigraphy and tectonic evolution of the Parecis basin. The exploration of deepest well in Brazil onshore confirmed an active petroleum system, even without commercial accumulation at that point.
This foray into the depths provided fundamental geological knowledge. The information guides future exploratory campaigns in the region. The apparent commercial “failure” translated into an advance in the understanding of the Brazilian subsoil.
Current status and access to exploratory framework data
Officially, the 2-SM-1-MT well is classified as “dry” by the ANP. The standard practice for dry wells is plugging and abandonment (P&A), for safety and environmental protection. It is highly likely that Salto Magessi-1 is now permanently abandoned.
Researchers and companies can search detailed data in the ANP Exploration and Production Database (BDEP). Although some reports may have restricted access, much of the information is public. Even with gaps in data such as temperature, pressure and technical details of the drilling, the informative legacy of Salto Magessi-1 remains accessible.
