São Paulo – Brazilian oil production increased by 6.3% in January compared with the same month of last year, according to data disclosed this Wednesday (2nd) by the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuel Agency (ANP). The output reached 2.122 million barrels per day. The volume is 2.65% lower, however, than in December, when a record was set.
Natural gas production also grew compared with January 2010, but declined compared with December. Last month, the output reached 66 million cubic metres per day, 13.2% more than in January 2010 and 4.3% less than in December.
The decline over December was mostly due to halted production at rigs in the Caratinga, Polvo and Uruguá fields.
Average daily production at the pre-salt layer production reached 71,700 barrels of oil and 2.527 million cubic meters of natural gas. The volume was produced at the Jubarte and Lula fields and the BM-S-9 block. Pre-salt layer production was 5% higher than in December last year, when 68,300 barrels of oil and 2.4 million cubic metres of natural gas were extracted.
According to information supplied by the ANP, only 72% of the pre-salt area is already being explored. The potential area, according to the agency, covers 149,000 square kilometres and is still being surveyed.
Petrobras accounted for 92.79% of oil and gas production in Brazil in January. Out of the country’s 20 largest fields, however, two are operated by foreign companies, Frade/Chevron and Ostra/Shell. Offshore fields were responsible for 91.34% of oil production and 74.81% of natural gas production, according to the ANP.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
