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very challenging. It is not uncommon to localized current direction and speed, of imaging; rock pore space character- encounter currents with speeds of up to causing cross-currents, which can be ization; rock physics modeling; rock 1 m/sec (1.94Kt). In some areas along the even stronger than the normal currents, and ? uid interaction; sedimentological

EM, the operator needs to place the rig signi? cantly increasing the forces placed contextualization; 3D imaging and direct

Brazil dozens of kilometers against the current, on risers, ? owlines, and other subsea hydrocarbon indicators, and petrophysi- before starting to lower a blowout pre- equipment. cal properties. He also explained that venter or other subsea equipment to land During OTC Brasil 2013, Petrobras E&P Petrobras was able to test these technolo- it at the planned location on the seabed. Director, José Miranda Formigli Filho gies in West African countries such as There have already been a signi? cant estimated that by 2020, presalt produc- in Benin, Angola, Gabon, Namibia and number of incidents where rigs have tion will represent 50% of Petrobras’ out- Nigeria. been pushed out of position by the pow- put, with the potential to reach 31 billion Magda Chambriard, director of the erful currents. On average, this occurs boe. By 2035, he said 39 million boe/d of ANP (National Petroleum Agency), much more frequently at the EM than at new crude oil supply will be needed. echoed Formigli when commenting that any other oil basin off Brazil. Currently, 30% of the company’s the Brazilian equatorial margin acreage th Petrobras even had to abandon a well exploration investments are directed to offered in Brazil’s 11 bidding round due to mechanical problems caused by consolidation and appraisal of pre- bears similarities to oil-producing regions strong subsea currents at the EM in 2012 salt and transfer of rights areas. The in Africa’s equatorial margin. th and recent Petrobras tenders have been post-salt will stay with a 70% stake, She also commented on why the 11 specifying more powerful AHTSs and including new discoveries taking place round of bidding did not concentrate

Renata Pereira, Executive Director,

ROVs due to the force of the North coast in Sergipe-Alagoas and Espírito Santo in southeast Brazil: ‘The majority of the

Brasco (Wilson Sons Group). Photo by Claudio currents. basins and the promising equatorial offer is situated in basins far from the

Paschoa.

Tide and wind dynamics have a stron- margin, a 36,897sq mi. (95,563sq km) presalt polygon. This has been done protect the various sensitive ecosystems ger in? uence on sea conditions at the area that includes 192 exploration sites, in order to decentralize the pattern of in the region. “Local markets lack certi- shallow continental shelf than in deep 59 evaluation plans, and a few signi? cant investment in Brazil, in which hydrocar- ? ed waste destinations, and in general, water, while deepwater locations are discoveries. bons investment is concentrated in the local institutions have little experience affected by strong surface and deepwater Formigli explained that geological southeast.” working with the oil and gas industry.” currents that can run hundreds of meters and geophysical (G&G) efforts led the

North coast deep and potentially up to 100km wide. company to ? nd promising plays through

Exploration challenges

These currents are capable of creat- integrated technologies such as well log G&G efforts, along with core sampling

Currents along the water column can be ing shifting vortices that can affect modeling and simulation; calibration and exploratory drilling will be vital all The major players in one exhibiTion why is ons 2014 1250 exhibitors and more than 60,000 visitors. Experience innovative technological solutions and meet new partners and clients.

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May 2014 | OE oedigital.com 122 116_OE0513_Brazil1_EqMargins.indd 122 4/19/14 10:05 AM