Brazilian oil giant Petrobras reveals gas discovery in deep waters in the Caribbean, which promises to reinforce its leadership in oil and gas exploration in Latin America

In addition to Brazil, Petrobras develops oil and natural gas exploration and production activities in the United States, Africa, Colombia, Argentina and Bolivia.

In a promising new discovery, Brazilian oil giant Petrobras has revealed the significant presence of natural gas in an offshore reservoir off the coast of Colombia. This discovery, announced this Monday (5), marks a crucial step for the Brazilian state-owned company, reinforcing its leadership role in the exploration of energy resources in Latin America.

Located in Caribbean Sea, 31 kilometers offshore and at a depth of 804 meters, the Uchuva-2 well not only expands the region's energy potential, but also opens new frontiers for sustainable natural gas production, essential to meeting growing global energy demands during the transition to cleaner sources.

Petrobras Confirms Gas Discovery Off the Coast of Colombia

Petrobras announced the presence of gas in a reservoir located off the coast of Colombia. The state-owned company announced the discovery this Monday (5). The well, located 31 kilometers from the coast, is in the Caribbean Sea, at a depth of 804 meters.

The discovery in the Uchuva-2 well expands the presence of natural gas previously identified in Uchuva-1, located in a water depth of approximately 830 meters, known since 2022.

According to the company, the location of the new well offers important information for the development of a new exploration and production frontier in Colombia, strengthening the gas volumetric potential in the region.

Operations and technical details

The Uchuva-2 drilling operation, located in the Guajira Basin, began on June 19th. The reservoir is 76 kilometers from the city of Santa Marta. Petrobras explained that the well is being drilled in five phases, and the presence of gas was detected in phase 4, using electrical profiles, which will be analyzed later in the laboratory.

Strategic partnership

Exploration in the region is carried out by a consortium, where Petrobras acts as operator with a 44,44% stake, in partnership with Empresa Colombiana de Petróleos (Ecopetrol), which holds 55,56%. The consortium will continue operations to complete the drilling of the well to the planned depth and characterize the conditions of the reservoirs found, with a formation test scheduled by the end of the year.

In the statement, the state-owned company highlighted that its operations in the Tayrona Block are in line with the company's long-term strategy. Petrobras seeks to replenish its oil and gas reserves by exploring new frontiers and working in partnership, aiming to guarantee global energy demand during the energy transition.

Petrobras' international presence

In addition to Brazil, Petrobras develops oil and natural gas exploration and production activities in four other countries. In Argentina, through the subsidiary Petrobras Operaciones SA, the company has a 33,6% stake in the Rio Neuquén production asset. In Bolivia, gas production occurs mainly in the San Alberto and San Antonio fields, where Petrobras holds a 35% stake in each service operation contract, intended to supply gas to Brazil and Bolivia.

Operations in the United States and Africa

In the United States, Petrobras operates in deepwater fields in the Gulf of Mexico, with a 20% stake through Petrobras America Inc., in partnership with Murphy Exploration & Production Company in the MPGoM joint venture.

On February 8, 2024, Petrobras completed the acquisition of stakes in three exploration blocks in São Tomé and Príncipe, on the west coast of Africa. This operation marked the resumption of exploratory activities on the African continent, with the aim of diversifying the company's portfolio, in line with its long-term strategy.