By the OGJ Online Staff
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 11 -- Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) discovered 22°-gravity oil on Santos basin Block BS-500 in 1,498 m of water.
The basin covers a 352,000 sq km area off Santa Catarina, Parana, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro states. The discovery was off Rio de Janeiro state, 170 km from the city of Rio de Janeiro.
The well was drilled to 4,528 m, with oil shows in several intervals between 2,524-4,210 m.
Oil was discovered in Block BS-500 in 1999 through well 1-RJS-539, but crude was not found in commercial quantities despite additional seismic work and the drilling of two wells.
Petrobras plans to intensify its exploration activities in the region with a drilling platform available to operate exclusively in Block BS-500.
At present Petrobras is active in 12 exploratory blocks in Santos basin, working alone on Blocks BS-400 and BS-500 and in partnerships with other companies in 10 blocks.
