ANP Approves Studies for Three New Pre-Salt Blocks

The Brazilian Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) approved the geo-economic studies relating to three Pre-Salt Blocks in the Santos Basin—Quartzo, Calcedônia, and Opala—during the reserved session of its 1,147th Board Meeting,

The studies are part of the Opala project, and tie in to the Strategic Calendar of Geological and Economic Evaluations for the Pre-Salt Polygon, approved by the ANP on 2023 (Please see our Legal Update on the calendar).

The total area proposed is approximately 3,900 km² and is classified as having high potential. In addition, government estimates indicate effective conditions to support technically and financially viable projects in the region.

These studies have been submitted to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) for evaluation for possible inclusion in future cycles of the Permanent Offer under the Production Sharing regime. Following the evaluation, the MME will propose to the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) the definition of the blocks to be tendered, as well as the parameters to be followed in future cycles.