Petrobras has set a new national record, drilling under a water column (distance between the water surface and the seabed) of 2,990 meters.This was achieved in February in the Moita Bonita area of Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, 92 km off the coastal city of Aracaju.

Only six exploration wells across the world have exceeded this depth. Of the 50 deepest wells in the world, Petrobras has drilled 15 (30%) of them.

The deepwater discoveries made in Sergipe-Alagoas Basin since 2010 have revealed a new extremely promising exploration frontier. The drill-stem test, conducted in 2012, confirmed the presence of 41º API oil (light, high-quality crude) and good reservoir productivity.

Eight wells in the region are more than 2,700 meters deep, all drilled within a period of three years. This is a significant achievement given the adverse local drilling conditions, with intense ocean currents, deep water and the need to use more robust drilling equipment such as blowout preventers (safety equipment designed to permit well closure).