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By Brasil 247 -  The Brazilian state-controlled company Petrobras confirmed the presence of high-quality oil in the post-salt layer of the Campos Basin, after completing drilling at an exploratory well in the Sudoeste de Tartaruga Verde block, located 108 kilometers off the coast of Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro. 

Petrobras said the well 4-BRSA-1403D-RJS, drilled in 734 meters of water depth, revealed an oil-bearing interval identified through electric logs, gas indications and fluid sampling. The samples will now undergo laboratory analysis to determine reservoir characteristics and fluid properties, enabling the continuation of the area's potential assessment. Initial evaluations indicate oil of "excellent quality", reinforcing expectations for new production fronts in the region.

The discovery comes as the Campos Basin — once the backbone of Brazil's offshore industry — continues to be revitalized through new exploration campaigns and technological upgrades. The basin remains a strategic asset for Petrobras, complementing the company's core pre-salt operations, which in recent years have transformed Brazil into one of the world's leading deepwater producers.

Pre-salt relevance for Petrobras and Brazil

The pre-salt polygon, located mainly in the Santos and Campos basins, has been central to Petrobras's financial recovery and production growth. Its reservoirs, known for exceptionally high productivity and competitive lifting costs, have allowed the company to consistently increase output while improving operational efficiency. These characteristics have positioned Petrobras among the most competitive deepwater operators globally.

For Brazil, pre-salt production has played a decisive role in strengthening the country's trade balance, expanding oil exports and increasing federal and state revenues through royalties and profit-sharing mechanisms. The segment has also spurred investment in shipyards, subsea technology, logistics and specialized services, supporting thousands of jobs and reinforcing the country's industrial supply chain.

Strategic alignment with long-term energy policy

The new post-salt discovery in Sudoeste de Tartaruga Verde adds resilience to Petrobras's portfolio at a time when global energy markets face uncertainty and fluctuations in long-term demand. Diversifying production sources within the same offshore province helps secure stable supply, strengthen infrastructure integration and optimize existing platforms.

The block, acquired in September 2018 during the 5th Production Sharing Round and managed by Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. (PPSA), is operated exclusively by Petrobras with 100% participation. The result expands the company's growing set of high-value offshore assets and aligns with Brazil's broader national strategy to consolidate energy security and reinforce its role as a major global oil producer.

(Reported by Brasil 247 on November 17, 2025)