Petrobras, Brazil’s state-run oil company, reports that its production of petroleum and gas in Brazil and abroad was an average 2,041,753 barrels per day in August. That is down slightly, 0.8%, compared to July, and down 2.3%, compared to August 2003.
Domestic production was an average 1,778,778 barrels per day, down 0.7%, compared to July, and down 3.3%, compared to August 2003.
Foreign production (Petrobras operates in eight countries) was an average 262,975 barrels per day, down 1.5%, compared to July, but up 5%, compared to August 2003.
According to Petrobras, the drop in domestic production was due to the closing of a well which halted production (10,100 barrels per day) on July 31. The well, located in the Marlim Sul field, off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, will return to operation at the beginning of November.
Less than one month ago, the executive manager of Exploration and Production at Petrobras – Petróleo Brasileiro, Francisco Nepomuceno, said the company would continue to increase production until the end of 2005, when production should reach 1.85 million barrels per day.
And in 2006, with a further increase to 2.2 million barrels per day, Brazil would be self-sufficient.
Nepomuceno also said that with the arrival of the P-43 platform in December in the Barracuda-Caratinga field in Campos, there would be a spike in production.
“We have the infrastructure to handle 1.85 million barrels per day by the end of next year,” he declared.
This year production is running at an average 1.56 million barrels per day, but should rise to 1.64 million barrels per day by this December.
Agência Brasil