Rosneft Brasil E&P Ltda., a wholly owned Rosneft PJSC subsidiary, and Queiroz Galvao Oleo e Gas (QGOG) have signed an agreement to charter an onshore drilling rig and associated rig services for Rosneft Brasil’s exploration program in Brazil’s Solimoes basin.
Schlumberger Ltd., in association with QGOG, will provide integrated project management (IPM) drilling services.
The start of drilling, scheduled for Jan. 9, 2017, marks the launch of the active phase of Rosneft Brasil’s exploration within the Solimoes project. The firm plans to drill at least 2 wells in the upcoming campaign in an effort to obtain geological information and confirm the exploration potential and hydrocarbon resources.
Rosneft also continues to evaluate gas monetization options for the Solimoes project, which includes 18 license blocks covering 37,000 sq km. The blocks contain 11 discovered accumulations of hydrocarbons.
In July 2014, Rosneft Brasil and Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) signed a memorandum of understanding that envisaged the detailed analysis of options for monetization of gas held in the Solimoes basin, creation of a joint work group, and preparation of a roadmap for advancing the study (OGJ Online, July 15, 2014).
The studies have been completed and Rosneft Brasil is working with stakeholders in the Amazon region to advance the priority monetization options.
