Petrobras announces the discovery of an accumulation of oil in the concession BM-POT-17, the first deep water Potiguar in its portion located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.

The discovery was made during drilling of well 1-BRS- A-1205- RNS (RNS-158 -1), informally known as Pitu, at a depth of 1731 meters water and located about 55 km off the coast of Rio Grande do Norte.

The range of carrier liquid petroleum was found through profiles and sampling of fluid that will be characterized by laboratory analysis. The well is still being drilled to a depth of 4197 meters and drilling will continue until 5028 meters.

Petrobras is the operator of the concession BM-POT-17, with 80% share in consortium with Petrogal Brazil SA, which owns 20%.

Because of the Farm-out process, in progress, and after obtaining the approval of the Brazilian Agency of Petroleum , Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), BP Energy do Brazil Ltda will act as concessionaire , and the interests of the partners in the BM -POT- 17 are: Petrobras (40%), BP Energy do Brazil Ltda (40%) and Petrogal Brazil SA (20%).

The consortium will continue the operations to complete the project drilling the well to the predicted depth , check the extension of the new discovery and characterize the conditions of the reservoirs found.