Petrobras’ recipe for upstream success
Fading market volatility and rising global energy demand should boost the operator’s focus on pre-salt crude growth
Brazilian state oil company Petrobras is emerging from the pandemic better positioned than many NOCs. Production and exports are climbing, margins are rebounding and divestments are helping pay down billions in debt. Even the company’s share price is ticking up, with Q2 profits just shy of $8bn. Ambitious production plans are at the centre of investor confidence. Pre-salt crude production jumped up 3pc quarter on quarter as platforms at the Atapu, Berbigao and Sururu fields ramped up to capacity. Output from the region now comprises about 70pc of Petrobras’ upstream portfolio, boasting some of the lowest lifting costs globally and most attractive crude grades. “The pace of the divestme
Also in this section
29 January 2026
Caught between LNG risks from across the Atlantic and the wounds from Russian gas dependence, Europe needs more than a simple diversification strategy
28 January 2026
The alliance looks to bolster market management credibility by bringing greater clarity and unity to output cuts and producer capacity later in 2026
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions






