Firjan Petroleum - October 2019

4 Firjan PETROLEUM What is the government’s expectation of the “pre-salt mirror”? According to preliminary seismic-based studies, we expect significant exploratory opportunities beyond the current pre-salt polygon area. The natural advancement of the exploration and development projects from the current contracted The Brazilian federal government is already addressing legal issues, aiming to include the first pre-salt mirror blocks in the 17th Bidding Round next year. This is the expectation of the Minister of Mines and Energy, Bento Albuquerque, in an exclusive interview to Firjan Petroleum magazine. The minister also points out that the type of contract to be adopted will be one of concession – not production sharing – but officially states as premature to scale the size of the wealth to be delivered with this new frontier. He recognizes, however, that the area consolidates the country as an investment hub for the world oil industry. In the market, it is estimated that the new front will increase the volume of oil and gas reserves in the country by 50%, that is, from 15.9 billion barrels to about 24 billion. production areas and the related ones to be offered in the next bidding rounds – namely the “6th Production Sharing Round” and the “16th Concession Round” – should pave the way to increase the companies’ interest in blocks offered in the extension of the continental shelf in southeastern Brazil. “PRE-SALT MIRROR”: A REALITY FOR 2020 INTERVIEW PHOTO: AGÊNCIA BRASIL