- bp confirms major hydrocarbon discovery at Bumerangue block in the Santos Basin.
- The well reached 5,855 meters and revealed a 500-meter hydrocarbon column.
- Located 404 km from Rio, the site holds high-quality pre-salt carbonate reservoir.
- Discovery marks bp’s largest in 25 years; further appraisal work is planned.
- bp holds 100% interest; the company calls Brazil a strategic growth priority.
The Big Picture
bp, formerly known as British Petroleum, a multinational oil and gas company, has made a significant oil and gas discovery at the Bumerangue prospect in Brazil’s deepwater Santos Basin. The announcement was made on August 4, 2025, and represents what bp calls “our most substantial discovery in over two decades.”
According to the statement, the Bumerangue well — officially designated as 1-BP-13-SPS — was drilled approximately 404 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, in water depths of 2,372 meters. The well reached a total depth of 5,855 meters and intersected “a high-quality pre-salt carbonate reservoir with a 500-meter gross hydrocarbon column.”
What They’re Saying
Gordon Birrell, bp’s Executive Vice President for Production & Operations, said the find affirms the company’s upstream ambitions:
Technical and Strategic Details
As reported by bp, the reservoir was encountered approximately 500 meters below the crest of the structure and covers an estimated areal extent of more than 300 square kilometers. The company stated, “Preliminary rig-site analysis shows elevated levels of carbon dioxide,” and added that laboratory testing will follow to further characterize the reservoir and fluids.
“Further appraisal activities are planned, subject to regulatory approval,” bp confirmed. The company holds 100% interest in the Bumerangue block, with Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. acting as the Production Sharing Contract manager.
Background and Regional Context
bp secured the Bumerangue block in December 2022 during Brazil’s 1st Cycle of the Open Acreage of Production Sharing, on what it described as “very good commercial terms.” These include 80% cost oil and 5.9% profit oil.
The company holds interests in eight offshore blocks across three Brazilian basins, operating four. An appraisal well for the Alto de Cabo Frio Central discovery — a joint venture with Petrobras — has recently been spud. An additional exploration well is planned for the Tupinambá block in 2026.
Global Impact
bp called the Bumerangue strike its tenth hydrocarbon discovery in 2025, part of a year it described as “exceptional” for upstream performance. The company previously announced successful exploration at Beryl and Frangipani in Trinidad, Fayoum 5 and El King in Egypt, Far South in the Gulf of America, Hasheem in Libya, and discoveries through Azule Energy in Angola and Namibia.
“We plan to grow our global upstream production to 2.3–2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent a day in 2030,” bp said, “with the capacity to increase production out to 2035.”
The Bottom Line
The Bumerangue discovery may mark a turning point for bp’s South American ambitions. With analysis underway and future appraisal pending, the company sees Brazil as a cornerstone for long-term growth in its upstream portfolio.
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