In the pre-salt Santos Basin, the Tupi field reaches 15 years of operation this Wednesday (5/1), with 2.6 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) of accumulated production and seven units in operation. The first pre-salt field to come on stream in May 2009, Tupi is today the country's largest producing field, with an average volume of 850,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed), accounting for 20% of the total produced in Brazil. 
 
With this volume, if it were a country, Tupi would occupy 20th place in the world oil production ranking, ahead of Colombia, Venezuela, the United Kingdom, and Argentina, according to a 2023 survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The significant results translate into benefits for society. In 2023 alone, Tupi generated around R$37 billion in taxes and government contributions. This amount corresponds to around 15% of the total disbursed by Petrobras last year, which was R$240 billion.
 
"It was in the Tupi field, exactly 15 years ago, that we began our history in the pre-salt, today the largest production center in the offshore industry. Since then, we have developed a series of disruptive technologies and broken record after record, consolidating our world leadership in ultra-deep waters. Tupi is the portrait of a Brazil that works, representing an achievement not just for Petrobras, but for the whole country," said Petrobras president Jean-Paul Prates. 
 
Unprecedented challenges in the sector

Tupi revealed the existence of a new exploration model that is so unknown in the world. It has also driven the development of a series of pioneering technologies, which have brought a unique legacy of innovation to the global industry. Petrobras overcame a series of previously unprecedented challenges in partnership with its suppliers. The Tupi Reservoir is located at a total depth of up to 7,000 meters, with 3,000 meters of rock, 2,000 meters of salt, and 2,000 meters of water depth. 
 
"Fifteen years on from the first oil, Tupi's results are proof that we are on the right track. This success reflects the excellence and ability of our technical staff to excel. Far from intimidating us, the challenges have become a motivation to persist and a legacy for the offshore industry. The fruits we are reaping today fill us with pride and point to a promising future," added Prates. 
 
Petrobras operates Tupi in partnership with Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltda and Petrogal Brasil S.A.