Operator Petrobras has confirmed the discovery of a new post-salt oil reservoir in the ultra-deepwater Marlim Sul field area offshore Brazil.

The find was made with well 4-MLS-105D-RJS, informally known as Mandarim, and is located in the producing field's area in the Campos Basin. The well was drilled in a water depth of 1,874 m (6,149 ft), 126 km offshore Rio de Janeiro state.

Petrobras says the accumulation is located in Eocene-age arenaceous reservoirs at a depth of approximately 2,965 m (9,728 ft), with preliminary estimates indicating an oil column of 100 m (328 ft). The oil quality is described as being similar to the oil produced in the Marlim field (13 to 16° API). Tests to evaluate the productivity of the reservoir are expected to be completed later this year, it added.

The well is located next to the producing P-56 platform, currently in operation on the Marlim Sul field, where production and flow structures are already in place. This will facilitate an early start-up, probably in 2014, said Petrobras.