ExxonMobil: Second well to be drilled in BM-S-22 offshore block
ExxonMobil drills second well in Brazil
The Brazilian unit of global oil titan ExxonMobil has started drilling a second well at the BM-S-22 offshore block, according to data from Brazil's National Petroleum Agency.
The drilling data showed ExxonMobil started drilling the 3ESSO4SPS well, dubbed Guarani, with the West Polaris rig.
The well will be drilled in 24 metres of water, with a total target depth of 5404 metres.
The BM-S-22 block is in Brazil's promising Santos basin, which contains several high-profile oil discoveries hidden several thousand feet below the sea floor under a layer of salt.
A previous well in the block, called Azulao, twice showed indications of oil. ExxonMobil notified the ANP that it had found traces of oil in the 1ESSO3SPS well in January and early March.
In March, ExxonMobil officials told Dow Jones Newswires that plans for a second well at the block were under way.
ExxonMobil holds a 40% operating stake in the block. Hess has a 40% share, while Brazilian state-run energy giant Petrobras holds the remaining 20% stake.