On January 5, Petrobras celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Santos Basin Operational Unit (BS), a historic milestone in Brazilian pre-salt oil and gas production. To mark this trajectory, the Espaço Petrobras Santos Basin will be inaugurated on January 24, located in the restored building of the former warehouse, a historic landmark in the Valongo district of Santos, adjacent to the Santos Building (Edisa), the administrative headquarters of the Santos Basin Unit.

The space will host a permanent and interactive exhibition, allowing visitors to learn about the evolution of pre-salt exploration, from the creation of the Unit in 2006 to the technological advances that have established Petrobras as a global reference in deepwater and ultra-deepwater oil and gas exploration and production. The exhibition includes interactive experiences related to exploration, engineering, innovation, and socio-environmental projects. The other half of the warehouse will be dedicated to temporary exhibitions and events.

“It is an honor to be part of this historic moment for the Santos Basin Unit. The delivery of this space reinforces Petrobras’ commitment to the communities where it operates — a commitment that goes beyond business and reflects our responsibility to society,” said Felipe Matoso, General Manager of the Santos Basin Operational Unit.

Today, the Unit is responsible for 48% of Brazil’s national oil production, with 1.57 million barrels per day, operating 18 platforms and employing 11,500 workers. In addition to oil production, the Santos Basin Unit operates the Integrated Gas Flow Network, which in 2025 reached a record of 41.7 million cubic meters of natural gas transported in a single day.

Strategic presence in Santos

Petrobras has a strong presence in the city through Edisa, the administrative headquarters of the Santos Basin Unit, which concentrates more than 3,500 employees responsible for providing logistical, administrative, and management support to offshore operations. The site houses the Integrated Operations Center (COI-BS), which monitors 330,000 variables, 274 wells, and 3,588 km of subsea lines 24 hours a day, ensuring operational safety and efficiency.

The Petrobras building in Santos was the first in the city to receive the Green Building certification, bringing together, since 2015, employees who were previously spread across seven different buildings. Its construction preserved part of the city’s history, incorporating the original structure of the first export warehouse of the São Paulo Railway, dating back to the Coffee Cycle era.

History and geographic area

The Santos Basin is the largest Brazilian offshore sedimentary basin, formed approximately 130 million years ago during the separation of South America and Africa. Its geographic area extends over more than 350,000 km², from the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro to the state of Santa Catarina. Petrobras’ first exploratory studies in the region took place in the 1970s; however, at that time, oil extraction was not feasible. Only after technological advances and significant investments, in the early 2000s, did the company confirm the existence of large reserves, paving the way for the creation of the Santos Basin Unit on January 5, 2006.

Initially focused on expanding Brazil’s gas supply through the Mexilhão field, the Santos Basin Unit played a leading role in decisive milestones for the national industry. In 2010, it began operating the first permanent pre-salt production system with the FPSO Cidade de Angra dos Reis, consolidating ultra-deepwater production.

Commitment to the future

The Santos Basin Unit leads CO₂ reinjection (CCUS) programs, which are essential for industry decarbonization, and invests BRL 196 million annually in environmental mitigation and compensation. By producing lighter oil with a lower emissions intensity, Petrobras reaffirms its role in a just energy transition.

Among its socio-environmental initiatives, the Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (PMP-BS) stands out as the largest of its kind in the world. Covering more than 1,500 km of coastline, from Laguna (Santa Catarina) to Saquarema (Rio de Janeiro), the project focuses on marine wildlife. Animals found are assessed, rehabilitated when necessary, and tagged for monitoring. Between 2015 and 2024, more than 42,700 penguins were monitored, along with other species, reinforcing Petrobras’ commitment to biodiversity conservation.

Service information

Espaço Petrobras Santos Basin
Rua Marquês de Herval, 90 – Valongo, Santos – SP
(adjacent to the Petrobras building)

• January 24–31: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• February: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• From March onward: School visits by appointment