Equinor has started a production test on the Guanxuma discovery in Brazil’s BM-S-8 block, where the giant Carcara pre-salt field is already under development, writes Gareth Chetwynd.

The Guanxuma prospect was drilled one year ago, resulting in the discovery of what was described as “good quality oil” with similar reservoir qualities as Carcara.

The Guanxuma probe required two sidetracks, however, and Equinor decided to move the Seadrill-owned drillship West Saturn for scheduled appraisal drilling on the Carcara field before going back to complete and test the new discovery.