Brazilian energy giant Petrobras has reached a major production milestone at the Tupi field in the Santos Basin. The field has surpassed 4 billion barrels of oil equivalent in cumulative production, becoming the first asset in Petrobras’ 73-year history to achieve this result.
Tupi played a key role in the development of Brazil’s pre-salt oil industry. It was the first major field where production from the country’s pre-salt reservoirs began, opening a new chapter in Brazilian offshore oil and gas development.
Commercial production at Tupi started in 2010. Developing the field required Petrobras and its partners to introduce new exploration, drilling and production technologies capable of operating in ultra-deep waters and accessing reservoirs located beneath thick layers of salt.
The technological challenges associated with Tupi helped Petrobras develop expertise that was later applied to other major offshore projects in Brazil. Today, the country’s pre-salt fields are among the most productive offshore oil developments in the world.
Tupi is operated by Petrobras together with Shell and Petrogal Brasil, while PPSA represents the Brazilian government in the project.
The field has once again exceeded an average production level of 1 million barrels of oil per day, a milestone that was first reached in 2019.
Pre-salt production has become the main source of oil and gas for Petrobras. According to the company’s Business Plan for 2026–2030, the region could account for as much as 82% of Petrobras’ total production during this period.
The pre-salt province also includes other giant offshore fields, including Búzios and Mero, which are expected to play an increasingly important role in the company’s future production.
Petrobras Exploration and Production Director Sylvia Anjos said the development of Tupi marked the beginning of a new era for the global oil industry. Over two decades, Brazil’s pre-salt reservoirs have demonstrated a combination of large reserves, high productivity and strong operational efficiency.
Petrobras currently operates 57 production assets, including 28 located exclusively in the pre-salt area. In January 2025, cumulative production from Brazil’s pre-salt reservoirs reached 7 billion barrels of oil.
The company expects its total oil and gas production to reach approximately 3.1–3.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2030.
Petrobras is also continuing exploration outside Brazil as part of its strategy to expand its hydrocarbon resources, including offshore projects in Colombia.
The 4-billion-barrel milestone at Tupi demonstrates the scale of Brazil’s offshore oil industry and the importance of the Santos Basin to Petrobras. More than a decade after commercial production began, Tupi remains one of the company’s most important offshore assets and one of the key projects behind the development of Brazil’s pre-salt resources.
