Exploration and Production Clusters: Value Creation Through Skills Integration

H. T. F. Da Silva, F. T. Fontes, and M. F. C. Bezerra
Petrobras, Vitória - ES, Brazil, Brazil

The northern Campos and Espírito Santo basins have positively responded to a massive exploratory campaign set out by Petrobras in Espírito Santo State (ES), southeastern Brazil.This area is characterized by great geodiversity, which includes onshore extra-heavy oil to very light to condensate-type oil found in ultra-deep waters.

Petrobras designed in this region the concept of E&P clusters, meaning an area of a sedimentary basin where exploration and production teams, through an integrated work, search for: 1) anticipation of production, 2) new opportunities and 3) revitalization of mature fields. Ultimately, E&P clusters focus on maximum synergy.

Five E&P clusters can be recognized in ES. The first three clusters lie in Espírito Santo Basin. The last two, in northern Campos Basin, as follows: 1) Northern Capixaba: onshore, mostly characterized by heavy and extra-heavy oil. Production since the 1960s. Present production at 22,000 bpd; 2) Gas: onshore to deep-water. Located in front of Northern Capixaba cluster. First offshore gas slated by early 2005; 3) Deep-water, light oil: located in central ES. Forecast for first oil by mid 2006; 4) Deep-water, heavy oil: located in southern ES. Jubarte field hubs this cluster. A single well producing at 20,000 bpd; 5) Ultra-deep water, light oil: located in southeastern ES. Discoveries to be evaluated within 2-3 years.

E&P clusters lie on team motivation, efficient planning and resource customization and best practices. E&P clusters aim to the convergence between geosciences and engineering skills.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90039©2005 AAPG Calgary, Alberta, June 16-19, 2005