BP Advances Development of Major Bumerangue Discovery Offshore Brazil
BP has announced significant progress following the major hydrocarbon discovery at the Bumerangue block in Brazil’s pre-salt Santos Basin, marking a key milestone in the company’s expanding deepwater exploration portfolio. The discovery, first revealed in August, is now confirmed through detailed laboratory and pressure gradient analyses, which indicate the presence of a substantial hydrocarbon column and highly promising reservoir characteristics.
According to BP’s updated assessment, the Bumerangue reservoir contains an impressive ~1,000-metre gross hydrocarbon column, comprising approximately 100 metres of gross oil and 900 metres of gross liquids-rich gas-condensate. The company noted that the presence of liquids throughout the entire hydrocarbon interval and the favorable rock properties observed so far point to a potentially high-quality, high-value development opportunity.
BP also emphasized that its extensive deepwater expertise and advanced carbon management capabilities position it well to address the carbon dioxide content within the reservoir. This confidence builds upon the company’s long history of developing complex deepwater assets around the world, including projects in the Gulf of Mexico, Angola, and the North Sea.
Continued Testing and Evaluation Underway
The company has indicated that laboratory testing and further analytical work are still ongoing to define the field’s detailed fluid characteristics. These analyses include determining the gas-to-oil ratio (GOR), condensate-to-gas ratio (CGR), and estimating in-place hydrocarbon volumes. BP stated that these findings will form the basis of future development decisions and will be shared publicly once more precise data become available.
Planning is also well underway for appraisal drilling and field evaluation activities, which are expected to begin in early 2027, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals from Brazilian authorities. The appraisal program will aim to confirm the reservoir’s size, flow characteristics, and production potential, while also refining options for potential development, including early production systems to accelerate first output.
Strategic Progress Across BP’s Upstream Portfolio
Gordon Birrell, BP’s Executive Vice President for Production & Operations, expressed optimism about the discovery and its broader implications for BP’s upstream strategy.
“2025 has seen significant strategic progress across BP’s Upstream business with record plant reliability, six major project start-ups, five additional developments sanctioned, and a series of exploration successes — including Bumerangue,” Birrell stated.“We are still in the exploration phase for Bumerangue, but initial results and analysis are extremely encouraging. They indicate a very large hydrocarbon column and a substantial volume of liquids within the reservoir,” he continued. “We are pleased with what we have seen so far, and our confidence in the potential of this field has increased. A dedicated team is already in place, and we are accelerating work on appraisal activities and potential development concepts, including the option of an early production system.”
This discovery adds to what has been a record-breaking year for BP’s exploration program, reinforcing the company’s commitment to maintaining a balanced portfolio that combines high-value oil and gas developments with continued investment in low-carbon and renewable energy projects.
Bumerangue: A Potential Game-Changer for Brazil’s Offshore Sector
The Bumerangue block lies within Brazil’s prolific pre-salt Santos Basin, one of the world’s richest hydrocarbon provinces, known for its deep, high-pressure reservoirs containing light oil and gas-condensates. The basin has been central to Brazil’s transformation into a global offshore powerhouse and continues to attract significant international investment.
BP’s discovery at Bumerangue is expected to further strengthen its position in the Brazilian offshore sector, where the company has been expanding its footprint through both operated and non-operated interests. With Brazil prioritizing responsible resource development and increasing domestic production capacity, discoveries like Bumerangue could play an essential role in meeting both national energy needs and export ambitions.
BP has indicated that it will continue to collaborate closely with Brazilian regulators, partners, and local suppliers as it progresses towards the appraisal and potential development phases. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to adhering to stringent environmental and safety standards, ensuring that all operations align with Brazil’s regulatory framework and BP’s sustainability principles.
Part of a Broader Exploration Success Story
Bumerangue is not an isolated achievement — it forms part of BP’s broader exploration success in 2025. The company has announced 12 new discoveries across various global basins this year alone, including notable finds in the Gulf of Mexico, Namibia, and through Azule Energy, its 50-50 independent joint venture with Eni focused on operations in Angola.
These successes demonstrate BP’s continued ability to unlock high-quality resources in key energy regions while leveraging its expertise in advanced seismic imaging, reservoir modeling, and deepwater engineering. The combination of these technological strengths and strategic partnerships has allowed BP to identify and pursue frontier opportunities with significant commercial and strategic potential.
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