BR Pre-salt: The Black Gold of the Bumerangue Field goes to the British Crown with BP
- Antonio Carlos Faustino
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
An announcement that moves the energy board
On August 4, 2025, BP revealed its largest oil and gas discovery in 25 years, located in the pre-salt Bumerangue field, in the Santos Basin, approximately 404 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.
The wildcat well 1-BP-13-SPS, drilled at 2,372 m of water depth and 5,855 m of total depth, intercepted a 500 m hydrocarbon column in high-quality carbonate rocks, with an estimated area of over 300 km².
More than just a geological landmark, the discovery symbolizes Brazil's assertion in the global energy market and reinforces BP's strategy of positioning the country as a strategic production hub by 2030.
The Geopolitics of Boomerang
BP acquired 100% of the block in December 2022, in the first round of the ANP's Permanent Sharing Offer.
The contract, managed by Pré-Sal Petróleo SA (PPSA), guarantees the Union only 5.9% of the surplus oil after cost compensation — a number that generates debate about Brazil's real share of the fruits of this discovery.
For London, this is a strategic step toward British energy security. For Brasília, it's an opportunity to attract investment, but also a test of how to balance sovereignty and the globalization of natural resources.
The CO₂ challenge
Despite the enthusiasm, there is one obstacle: the CO₂ content found in the reservoirs.
In the Libra field, for example, around 40% CO₂ was considered viable, but in the Jupiter field, with almost 80%, exploration is stalled due to costs.
Initial tests at Bumerangue indicate high levels of CO₂, which will require separation, reinjection, or industrial recovery technology — a sector where BP is already investing in carbon capture solutions.
Why it matters to high-end investors
Long-term potential: a decades-long project with a possible high return.
Cutting-edge technology: development of CO₂ solutions.
Global positioning: influence on energy policy.
Corporate image: association with one of the greatest discoveries of the century.
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References
AGÊNCIA BRASIL. British oil company BP announces significant pre-salt discovery. Brasília: EBC, August 4, 2025. Available at: https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/economia/noticia/2025-08/petroleira-britanica-bp-anuncia-descoberta-significativa-no-pre-sal. Accessed on: August 11, 2025.
BP BRAZIL. Boomerang Discovery. Rio de Janeiro: BP, August 4, 2025. Available at: https://www.bp.com/pt_br/brazil/home/noticias/press-releases/descoberta-bumerangue.html. Accessed on: August 11, 2025.
FIVE DAYS. BP announces the biggest discovery of oil and gas in 25 years off the coast of Brazil. Madrid: El País, 04 Aug. 2025. Available at: https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2025-08-04/bp-anuncia-el-mayor-descubrimiento-de-petroleo-y-gas-en-25-anos-frente-a-la-costa-de-brasil.html. Accessed on: 11 Aug. 2025.
EXAME. BP's goal: major pre-salt discovery was ignored by the market. São Paulo: Exame, August 5, 2025. Available at: https://exame.com/invest/mercados/o-golaco-da-bp-grande-descoberta-no-pre-sal-bloco-de-bumerangue-foi-ignorado-pelo-mercado/. Accessed on: August 11, 2025.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT (Brazil). Government celebrates pre-salt discovery and monitors estimates of oil and gas volume found in the Bumerangue block. Brasília: MME, August 4, 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.br/mme/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/governo-celebra-descoberta-no-pre-sal-e-acompanha-estimativas-sobre-volume-de-oleo-e-gas-encontrado-no-bloco-bumerangue. Accessed on: August 11, 2025.
OCAFEZINHO. British giant announces biggest discovery in the Santos Basin pre-salt in 25 years. Rio de Janeiro: OCafezinho, August 4, 2025. Available at: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/08/04/gigante-britanica-anuncia-maior-descoberta-no-pre-sal-da-bacia-de-santos-em-25-anos/. Accessed on: August 11, 2025.
YOUR MONEY. Petrobras competitor BP makes biggest oil and gas discovery in 25 years in Brazil's pre-salt layer. São Paulo: Seu Dinheiro, August 4, 2025. Available at: https://www.seudinheiro.com/2025/empresas/concorrente-da-petrobras-petr4-bp-faz-maior-descoberta-de-petroleo-e-gas-em-25-anos-no-pre-sal-brasileiro-mlim/. Accessed on: August 11, 2025.
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