Rio de Janeiro – The director of the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuel Agency (ANP), Magda Chambriard, said on Friday (12) that Libra Field, in the pre-salt layer of Santos Basin, -on the southeastern coast of Brazil, should produce at least 1 million barrels of oil a day, equivalent to half of what the country currently extracts.
"In the project, it is expected that 12 to 18 large platforms should be installed, each with capacity for 150,000 barrels of oil a day. Do the math. It is much oil to be reverted to Brazil. The peak should reach at least 1 million barrels a day,” she said in a press conference in Rio de Janeiro. She recalled that 75% of production should stay in Brazil.
The director explained that production in the Libra pre-salt field should start five years after the signing of the contract. She studies extension of the deadline for the inquiries about exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the pre-salt area of Libra Field. The deadline for inquiries had been slated to take place on July 19.
“We are seeing whether it is possible to gain two or three days for inquiries, in favour of industry,” she said. However, she guaranteed that even if the deadline for inquiries is extended, the date for the auction, October 21st, should not change. The event should take place at Windsor Barra, in the eastern zone of Rio de Janeiro.
In the first exploration phase (four years), companies must drill at least two wells for development.
*Translated de Mark Ament
