Deep-water feeding frenzy in South America
Brazil and Guyana lead enthusiasm in continent’s deep waters
Good reservoir quality and improved upstream terms have combined with cost declines and firmer oil prices to spark enthusiasm for deep offshore oil exploration in South America. Analysts say that while the stars of the show remain Brazil and the growing Guyana offshore province, opportunities are also being offered offshore Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru. The enthusiasm is reflected in rig prospects. Transocean Ltd, the world's leading deep offshore exploration rig operator, cites Harakat data in suggesting that offshore South American's Atlantic coast will host the world's third-largest volume of exploration programs over the next 18 months , with five, well behind Northwest Europe's total of
Also in this section
9 January 2026
OPEC+ remains on track as output falls, with only Gabon failing to hit its output targets in December, although Kazakhstan’s compliance was involuntary
9 January 2026
The Latin American producer’s crude prospects rely on a multi-pronged approach where even the relatively easy wins will take considerable time, effort and cost
9 January 2026
While many forecasters are reasserting the importance of oil and gas, petrostates should be under no illusion things are changing, and faster than they might think
8 January 2026
Indonesia and Malaysia are at the dawn of breathtaking digital capabilities. Their energy infrastructure must keep up with their ambitions






