Permanent Offer Under Production Sharing OPP A New Cycle May Be Initiated Upon Expression of Interest from Registered Companies
The Brazilian National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) has announced that eight exploratory blocks are currently available in the Permanent Offer under Production Sharing (OPP), a continuous bidding system that includes areas located within the Pre-Salt Polygon and other regions deemed strategic by the Brazilian National Energy Policy Council (CNPE).
Accordingly, any of the 15 companies registered in the OPP may request the opening of a new bidding cycle by submitting a declaration of interest in one or more blocks, accompanied by the corresponding bid guarantee.
The blocks currently included in the notice are Jade, Ágata, Amazonita, Safira Leste, and Safira Oeste, located in the Santos Basin, and Larimar, Turmalina, and Ônix, located in the Campos Basin.
See below a table with details on the offered blocks:
| Basin | Block | Area (km²) | Guarantee Offer for Declaration of Interest (R$) | Minimum profit oil (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santos | Ágata | 2,283.17 | 218,600.00 | 6.48 |
| Santos | Amazonita | 604.79 | 623,500.00 | 12.91 |
| Santos | Jade | 2,408.34 | 754,100.00 | 10.98 |
| Campos | Larimar | 2,093.02 | 262,600.00 | 10.65 |
| Campos | Ônix | 1,327.56 | 153,400.00 | 10.59 |
| Santos | Safira Leste | 4,172.06 | 1,100.00 | 9.03 |
| Santos | Safira Oeste | 5,588.71 | 885,800.00 | 23.01 |
| Campos | Turmalina | 1,437.80 | 70,800.00 | 6.87 |
In addition to these, two blocks—Cruzeiro do Sul and Mogno, both located in the Santos Basin—may be incorporated into the notice, as they have already been approved by the CNPE and are supported by a joint statement from the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the Ministry of Environment (MMA). According to the ANP, the inclusion process for these areas is already underway, and republication of the notice is expected in 2026.
Another 16 blocks in the Santos Basin approved by the CNPE are still awaiting a joint statement from the MME and MMA before they can be included in the OPP. These are: Rubi, Granada, Aragonita, Calcedônia, Cerussita, Malaquita, Opala, Quartzo, Rodocrosita, Siderita, Hematita, Limonita, Magnetita, Calcita, Azurita, and Dolomita.
With the potential inclusion of all these areas, the notice could encompass up to 26 exploratory blocks, significantly expanding the portfolio available under the production sharing regime.
The opening of the 4th OPP Cycle will depend on the interest expressed by the registered companies. For now, there is no forecast for when the new cycle will begin, or which blocks will be made available.
The Energy Practice of Tauil & Chequer Advogados associated with Mayer Brown remains available for any further clarification on the matter.
