Golfinho Field-Discovery, Development, and Future Prospects
Authors: Vieira Paulo E. , Bruhn Carlos H.L. , Santos Clovis F. , Del Rey Antonio C. , Alves Renato G. 
Published: October 2008

Golfinho Field was discovered in July, 2003, after the drilling of the wildcat 1-ESS-123, located about 80 km northeast off the City of Vitória, in the EspÍrito Santo Basin, offshore southern Brazil, under water depths between 1,300 and 1,640 m. This discovery is considered as an important mark in the history of oil exploration and production in Brazil, since the Golfinho Field is the very first oil field from deep water EspÍrito Santo Basin to present technical and commercial viability. After the drilling of the wildcat, other successful wells have been drilled in the Golfinho area. These wells found neighboring oil accumulations, confirming the great potential of this new oil province. With the conclusion of the exploratory activities, a development plan was approved, considering the installation of two FPSO systems. The first production module started operation in May, 2006 (FPSO Capixaba), and a second production module is expected to be in production in June, 2007. Golfinho Field reservoirs (late Santonian to early Maastrichtian age) show stratigraphic and structural characteristics very distinct from those of the oil accumulations in the neighboring, very prolific Campos Basin. The reservoirs are compartmentalized by normal and transfer faults; they are composed of poorly-sorted, fine- to very coarse-grained sandstones. Their deposition took place in a complex system of amalgamated, turbiditic channels. The hydrocarbons found in the Golfinho area typically light oils derived from marine source rocks; these oils are parafinic, showing low sulfur content, and very low biodegradation. As a result from these characteristics, they have a high commercial value.

Introduction

Golfinho Field is located about 80 km northeast of the City of Vitória in EspÍrito Santo State, Brazil. It was discovered by the drilling of the wildcat 1-ESS-123, in July, 2003. The field is also located nearby the Rio Doce River Delta in a deep-sea portion of the EspÍrito Santo Basin under water depths between 1,300 and 1,640 m. The area is a new exploratory frontier in deepwater Brazil. The successful wildcat represented the kick off for a series of new discoveries that confirmed the high potential of the area. There are strong indications that new surrounding prospects and upsides will become important projects in coming years. An example is the Canapu Gas Field project located 20 km east of Golfinho Field (Figure 1).

The main events of the project are as follows:1999 - Reprocessing of 2D seismic data.2001 - 3D seismic data acquisition and processing.2003 - Field discovery (July) - end of drilling and evaluation of 1-ESS-123 wildcat, the first oil commercial field found in ultra-deepwater in the EspÍrito Santo Basin. A DST indicates good productivity of 40° API oil.2003 - Seismic reinterpretation studies based on new velocity model reveals upside opportunities.2003 - Twelve appraisal wells confirm a new prolific oil area. Petrobras requests the Brazilian National Petroleum Agency (ANP) an appraisal ring fence.2004 - January 15th - Brazilian National Petroleum Agency (ANP) concedes Petrobras the license to develop Golfinho Field. The first ultra-deepwater project in the EspÍrito Santo Basin begins.