bp has provided an update following its significant hydrocarbon discovery at the Bumerangue block, located in the pre-salt Santos Basin, offshore Brazil.
Following the announcement of the discovery in August, initial laboratory and pressure gradient analysis has confirmed the presence of a ~1,000 metre gross hydrocarbon column including a ~100 metre gross oil column and a ~900 metre gross liquids rich gas-condensate column. Given the presence of liquids across the entire hydrocarbon column, the high-quality rock properties observed and bp’s extensive technology and deepwater developments experience, bp believes that the carbon dioxide in the reservoir can be managed.
bp is continuing laboratory testing and other analysis to determine fluid characteristics, gas-to-oil and condensate-to-gas ratios and an estimate of in-place volumes and will provide an update in due course. Planning of appraisal activities is ongoing with well activities expected to commence in early 2027, subject to regulatory approval.
Gordon Birrell, bp’s executive vice president for Production & Operations said: '2025 has seen significant strategic progress across bp’s Upstream with record plant reliability, six major project start-ups, five more sanctioned and a string of exploration discoveries including Bumerangue. We are still in the exploration phase for Bumerangue, however, initial results and analysis are extremely encouraging as they indicate a very large hydrocarbon column and a significant volume of liquids in the reservoir.
'We are pleased about what we have seen to date and our confidence in the potential of this field has increased. We have a team in place and are accelerating work on proposed appraisal activities and potential development concepts, which will include the potential for an early production system.'
Bumerangue is one of 12 exploration discoveries that bp has made this year across several basins, including the Gulf of America and Namibia, through Azule Energy, its 50-50 independent joint venture with Eni.
Background
- bp drilled exploration well 1-BP-13-SPS at the Bumerangue block, located in the Santos Basin, 404 kilometres (218 nautical miles) off the coast of Brazil, in a water depth of 2,372 metres.
- The well was drilled to a total depth of 5,855 metres. The well intersected the reservoir containing a high-quality pre-salt carbonate rock with an areal extent of greater than 300 square kilometres.
- bp holds 100% participation in the block with Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. as the Production Sharing Contract manager. bp secured the block in December 2022 during the 1st Cycle of the Open Acreage of Production Sharing of ANP.
- The discovery marks bp’s largest in 25 years, reinforcing the company’s commitment to growing its upstream portfolio and establishing a material, advantaged production hub in Brazil.
- bp has operated in Brazil for more than 50 years and currently holds interests in six offshore blocks, operating two of them directly.
Source: bp
