But it also acknowledged "long-term and capital-intensive challenges" to monetise the gas in the Amazon region, where the start-up engaged in an extensive and costly drill campaign in partnership with Russia's Rosneft but struck out in finding commercial oil.

"In addition to the identification of the best monetization options, the Study Group also concluded that the increase in volumes will offer substantial gains in profitability," HRT said regarding the research, which was undertaken along with state producer Petrobras and Rosneft.

"The