From OTC-2015, Houston: Brazil’s 13th licensing round will kick off in October this year, Eduardo Braga, Minister of Energy & Mining, told delegates at OTC in Houston.

Braga said the round under the concession model will launch with 269 onshore and offshore blocks going under the hammer.

The blocks are in a mixture of mature plays, new frontiers and high potential basins.

In the offshore areas, 10 blocks will be offered in the Sergipe/Alagoas basin, four in Jacuipe and nine in the Camamu-Almada basin.

There will also be seven blocks offered in the Espirito Santo basin, three in the Campos basin, and 51 in the new frontier Pelotas basin. The remainder will be onshore.

Braga also said that Brazil ‘hoped’ to be able to establish a second bid round under the production sharing model between 2016 and 2017 and the blocks are currently being ‘carefully’ selected for the round in the pre-salt of the Campos and Santos basins.

‘The Brazilian oil sector offers a good opportunity to invest and there are already 110 companies working in exploration and production of oil,’ Braga said.

The three biggest discoveries made in the last 10 years have been in Brazil at Lula, Libra and Buzios.

Braga highlighted the size of opportunities available in the country and said that currently 20% of the world’s fpsos are operating in Brazil, while 46% of fpsos and platforms currently under construction are destined for the country.

‘Some 40 new fpsos will be operating in Brazil in a few years’ time, 24 in the Buzios and Libra fields alone,’ the minister said.

In the last five years, 36% of oil discovered worldwide has been in Brazil, amounting to some 22.9bnbbl with 63% of the deepwater discoveries in the last five years also made in Brazil.

There are no restrictions on oil exports from the country and more than 500,000b/d were exported in 2014 by 17 companies as well as Petrobras, which was responsible for 45% of exports.

Braga also acknowledged that Brazilian oil giant Petrobras is facing serious challenges after it was hit by a corruption scandal, but said it had the ‘full and unconditional’ support of the government.