BP has confirmed the completion of a successful flow test on its operated Itaipu-1A deepwater pre-salt discovery offshore Brazil.

The drill stem test is part of an ongoing appraisal programme on the field, with the well achieving flow rates of up to 5,600 b/d of oil for 32 hours, through a 40/64 choke from a limited perforated interval, said the UK major. Results from the pressure buildup after the main flow indicated good connectivity in the reservoir, it added. Long-term pressure monitoring gauges were also set in the wellbore prior to the end of operations.

The Itaipu-1A well lies in block BM-C-32 in the Campos Basin, 125 km offshore Brazil. The discovery well was drilled in 2009 by Devon, with BP purchasing Devon’s interests in Brazil in 2011. The Itaipu-2 appraisal well was drilled in 2011.

BP said that a second appraisal well location, Itaipu-3, has already been agreed with the Brazilian National Petroleum Agency (ANP), and will be the next operation on the Itaipu field later this year.

Neil Piggott, BP vice president for exploration, Brazil, said: “This is a good result for the Itaipu project, indicating that commercially viable flow rates can be achieved from this pre-salt carbonate reservoir.”

BP is the operator of BM-C-32 with a 40% equity, with its partners being Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (33.3%) and Maersk Energia Ltda (26.7%).