Total takes operatorship of Xerelete Block in Brazil
PARIS - Total announced that it has become operator of the Xerelete offshore concession in a promising area of Brazil’s Campos basin. The transfer of operatorship from Petrobras to Total follows a unanimous decision by the Xerelete partners and approval by Brazilian authorities. Total and Petrobras each hold a 41.2% interest in the concession, while BP holds the remaining 17.6 %.
“Total is looking forward to bringing its worldwide expertise in ultra-deep offshore operations to Brazil,” said Ladislas Paszkiewicz, Senior Vice President for Exploration &
Production Americas. “Our decision to assume operatorship of Xerelete is part of the Group’s strategy to strengthen its exploration and production activities in Brazil. It demonstrates our willingness to expand our presence in the country.”
Xerelete field, is about 250 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. It was discovered in 2001 in water depths of 2,400 m and contains relatively heavy oil (17° to 20° API). A pre-salt prospect has also been identified below the Xerelete structure, which lies around 40 km west of the recently announced Pão de Açucar discovery.
Total plans to start drilling activities in 2013. In addition to its participation in Xerelete, Total holds a 20 % interest in Block BM-S-54, where the Gato do Mato discovery is being appraised.
Total in Brazil
Total is present in several industrial segments through its affiliates, Total E&P do Brasil, Total Gás e Electricidade do Brasil, Total Lubrificantes, Hutchinson, CCP Composites, Bostik and Atotech. It employs around 3,000 people in the country. Total owns 9.7 % of the Bolivia-Brasil (TBG) and 25 % of the TSB (Transportadora Sulbrasileira de Gás S.A.) gas pipelines.
07/10/2012