Petrobras has confirmed further details for its deepwater Pitu discovery, first revealed last year (see DI, 23 December 2013, page 4).

The state-owned operator said results from drilling the 1-BRSA-1205 -RNS (RNS-158-1) well in the Rio Grande do Norte Basin around 55 km (34 miles) offshore confirmed that the Pitu discovery contains 24º API oil. The appraisal was drilled in a water depth of 1,731 m (5,677ft) and encountered a 188 m (616 ft) hydrocarbon column.

Petrobras operates the BM-POT- 17 block where the Pitu well was drilled with an 80% equity stake, while Petrogal Brazil owns 20%. BP is due to complete a farm-in for 40% equity in the block, reducing the Petrobras share to 40%.

Partner Petrogal Brazil – a subsidiary of Portugal’s Galp Energia – said that the RNS-158-1 exploration well was drilled to a total final depth of 5,353 m (17,557 ft). Galp further indicated that a formation test was also performed, which confirmed the good permeability and porosity conditions of the reservoir.

The Portuguese company added that the drilling consortium will now proceed with further exploration based on the results obtained, with the aim of proposing to Brazil’s National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP) an Evaluation Plan for the area.