Parnaiba Devonian shale gas output authorized

Jan. 6, 2012
Brazil’s secretary of state for the environment and natural resources of Maranhao has issued a preliminary license for the development of production and transport of natural gas in Gaviao Real and Gaviao Azul fields in northeastern Brazil’s Parnaíba basin.

Brazil’s secretary of state for the environment and natural resources of Maranhao has issued a preliminary license for the development of production and transport of natural gas in Gaviao Real and Gaviao Azul fields in northeastern Brazil’s Parnaíba basin.

The license confirms the environmental viability of the venture, which will produce and process natural gas for the MPX Thermoelectric Power Plants in the region.

Gas production should start in the second half of 2012 and could eventually reach as much as 212 MMcfd, said operator OGX Petroleo e Gas Participacoes SA, Rio de Janeiro.

The detailed design and acquisition of equipment for the gas treatment unit being built in the region are moving ahead. The processing to remove the liquid from the gas produced, and to filter and heat the gas will take place in the GTU.

The production of gas from the two fields will be capable of doubling onshore production of natural gas in Brazil, OGX said (OGJ Online, Nov. 17, 2010).

About the Author

Alan Petzet | Chief Editor Exploration

Alan Petzet is Chief Editor-Exploration of Oil & Gas Journal in Houston. He is editor of the Weekly E&D Newsletter, emailed to OGJ subscribers, and a regular contributor to the OGJ Online subscriber website.

Petzet joined OGJ in 1981 after 13 years in the Tulsa World business-oil department. He was named OGJ Exploration Editor in 1990. A native of Tulsa, he has a BA in journalism from the University of Tulsa.