Petrobras and the Libra consortium started drilling the first exploration well in the Libra area. The well is called 3-RJS-731 and is being drilled by drilling rig NS-36 (Schain Cerrado), a press release said. This is the first of two wells planned for the first phase of the Minimum Exploration Program agreed with Brazil’s National Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency.

Well 3-RJS-731 will reach a final depth (depth of water and sediments) of 5,850 m (19,193 ft). It is positioned about 170 km (106 miles) off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state, about 5 km (3.1 miles) southwest of discovery well 2-ANP-2A-RJS.

While drilling the exploration well, fundamental tests will be carried out to obtain information needed to develop Libra’s production.

Besides drilling these two wells, the program also involves conducting a 3-D prestack depth migration seismic survey of the whole block area, already completed, as well as an extended well test to begin in December 2016. The entire program will be completed by the end of 2017.

The Libra consortium is composed of Petrobras (operator and owner of a 40% stake), Shell (20%), Total (20%), CNPC (10%) and CNOOC (10%) together with Pre-Sal Petroleo S.A., the consortium manager.