Petrobras, Equinor, Karoon and CNOOC awarded blocks in Brazil’s latest auction
Petrobras and Equinor were among the successful bidders in Wednesday's 3rd Cycle of the Permanent Production Sharing Offer, organized by Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).
The two companies will jointly explore the Jaspe Block in the Campos Basin (Petrobras operator with 60%, Equinor 40%), while Petrobras also secured 100% of the Citrino Block in the same basin.
Petrobras said the percentage of surplus oil to be made available to the Federal Union was ANP’s sole stipulation for determining the winning bid.
Equinor was also awarded the Itaimbezinho area on a sole basis.
Australian independent Karoon Energy gained the Esmeralda deepwater exploration block, 70 km from its existing deepwater concessions in the Santos Basin offshore Brazil. The company said Esmeralda covers an extensive area over what may turn out to be a new post-salt exploration play that it is presently maturing, with its work under review by independent specialists. The award did not carry a commitment to drill.
China's CNOOC reportedly won the Ametista Block, which it will operate in partnership with Sinopec.
About the Author
Jeremy Beckman
Editor, Europe
Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.