Campos Basin records highest oil and gas production in the last five years, study shows

Campos Basin has highest production in five years, study shows Disclosure Oil and gas production in the Campos Basin, in the North of Rio de Janeiro, had the best result for a first quarter in the last five years. Between January and March 2026, average production was 893.8 thousand barrels of oil per day (boe/d), an increase of 13.1% compared to the same period in 2025. The data are from the second edition of the Northern Fluminense Oil and Gas Sector Bulletin, published by the Institute for Strategic Studies of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (Ineep). According to the study, the growth is attributed to the resumption of Petrobras' investments in exploration and production from 2023. According to the institute, the change in the state-owned company's strategy, with the end of the divestment policy and the resumption of the acquisition of areas considered strategic, is already reflected in the Campos Basin indicators. ? Follow the g1 Norte Fluminense channel on WhatsApp.

Currently, the oil province accounts for 16.8% of national oil and gas production, maintaining strategic importance for the energy sector and the country's economy. In addition to the increase in production, the sector continues to be among the main responsible for generating jobs in North Fluminense. According to Ineep research assistant, Lucas Peçanha, around 37 thousand direct and indirect jobs are linked to the activity in the municipalities in the area of ??influence of the Campos Basin. "In the first quarter of 2026, the oil and gas sector presented around 37 thousand jobs, direct and indirect, in the municipalities that confront the Campos Basin. This data means that the sector is consolidated as one of the sectors that generate the most employment in the region", he stated. The researcher also highlighted that, in 2025, the average remuneration of workers in the offshore sector was approximately R$17,000, income that also drives the regional economy through consumption, taxes and duties. Another indicator highlighted by the bulletin is the resumption of exploration of new areas. In 2025, Petrobras drilled five exploratory wells in the Campos Basin, the highest number since 2011. According to Ineep, the campaigns resulted in discoveries of new reservoirs in the pre-salt and post-salt, reinforcing the region's productive potential. The survey also shows that pre-salt production in the Campos Basin grew 46.1% in one year, expanding the prospects for increasing the useful life of the oil province. Revitalization remains a challenge Despite the positive indicators, Ineep assesses that maintaining growth depends on continued investments. According to the institute, Petrobras' 2026-2030 Business Plan postponed until after 2030 the contracting of platforms planned for the structuring projects to revitalize the Campos Basin. Furthermore, of the 11 exploratory wells planned for the Southeast basins over the next five years, only five are expected to be drilled in the region. In Ineep's assessment, accelerating revitalization projects, expanding the acquisition of new exploratory areas and investing in the search for new reservoirs are measures considered fundamental to maintain production, replenish reserves and guarantee the generation of jobs, income and revenue in the municipalities of North Fluminense. The oil industry continues to be one of the main economic activities in the region, with a direct impact on the generation of jobs and the collection of royalties and special participation from producing municipalities. READ ALSO: Camera records crash between car and motorcycle in Itaperuna; another accident leaves driver injured in Italva Student from the Bom Jesus do Itabapoana state network launches first book at age 17 Driver flees from approach and crashes car into tree after chase in Miracema

Related stories