A Declaration of Commerciality (DoC) has been submitted to the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels for three separate oil and gas accumulations in Brazil.
BG Group said it had, along with its partner Petrobas, submitted the application which it believes is another major milestone in the first phase of development of BG Group’s interests in the region.
The Iara area is located approximately 250 kilometres off the coast of Rio De Janeiro in water depths of around 2,270 metres.
The consortium has suggested the new fields be designated Berbigao, Sururu and Atapu West.
BG Group said all the field contain good quality oil of approximately 24 to 30 degrees API.
A spokesman said the DoC submission follows an exploration and appraisal programme which began in 2008 and consisted of acquiring 3D seismic data, drilling seven wells as well as performing an extended well test.
He said: “These three accumulations extend outside the BM-S-11 Iara concession area and into the Entorno de Iara Transfer of Rights area which is 100% operated by Petrobras and will therefore be subject to unitisation agreements.
“Unitisation of the Entorno de Iara area will be required with Berbigão to the north and south, with Sururu to the north and south and with Atapú West to the east.
“The initial development of the unitised accumulations is expected to be based on three FPSOs, adding to the 10 production units currently planned for the Lula and Iracema areas.
“Subject to a complementary campaign for data acquisition, additional production units could be contracted by the consortium.”
The partners plan to work on the deployment and allocation of the initial planned FPSOs as well as negotiating the required unitisation agreements.