TGS’ data library plays a key role in advancing exploration across Brazil’s Northern Basins by delivering the seismic insights needed to evaluate deepwater targets along the Equatorial Margin.
Northern Brazil Basins
Advancing Exploration Across Northern Brazil Basins
Brazil’s Northern Basins span the Equatorial Margin, including Foz do Amazonas, Pará-Maranhão, Barreirinhas, Ceará, Potiguar, Sergipe-Alagoas, Jacuípe, Camamu and surrounding areas. While modest shallow-water exploration has confirmed a working petroleum system, interest is now shifting to deepwater targets. Positive developments in drilling permits in Potiguar Basin have led to the second oil discovery, the “play opening” Anhangá well which has provided exploration momentum for the territory.
A series of wildcat discoveries in the adjacent margins (Guyana/Suriname) and on the conjugate margins (Sierra Leone/Liberia/Ghana/Ivory Coast) suggest a high probability for similar discoveries in the equatorial basins of Brazil. Deepwater discoveries on the conjugate basins have highlighted proven petroleum plays closer to the early passive margin hydrocarbon kitchens. In anticipation of similar regulatory momentum, TGS is investing in new 3D seismic surveys in the Pará-Maranhão and Foz do Amazonas basins to support the next phase of frontier exploration.
Brazil's Equatorial Margin is a frontier exploration hotspot. New 3D seismic explores Mesozoic source rocks and depositional systems analogous to those in Guyana and Suriname.
Data Availability
TGS offers extensive 2D and 3D seismic coverage across Brazil’s northern basins, providing critical insights to support exploration across multiple licensing cycles.
Northern Basins
- 2D Seismic: 229,254 km
- 2D-Cubed: 268,506 km² of integrated 2D-Cubed lines
- 3D Seismic:
- Amapá Phase 1 : 11,335 km² of reprocessed 3D seismic data
- Amapá Phase 2 : 11,265 km² of new 3D seismic data
- Potiguar Phase 1 :10,685 km² of new 3D seismic data
- Pará-Maranhão Basin:
- PAMA Phase 1 : 19,343 km² of new Triple Source GeoStreamer 3D seismic data
Brazil 2025 Fifth Cycle Open Acreage Licensing Round
Brazil’s national regulator, ANP, has designated the Equatorial Margin as a New Area of Study. Currently, 63 open blocks are available under the Permanent Concession Offer, closing on June 17, 2025.
TGS continues to invest in this region, aligning new data acquisition efforts with evolving industry interest and regulatory momentum. Visit the license round page to learn more about the cycle timeline, available blocks and how TGS seismic data supports exploration.
Imaging
Our high-resolution 3D datasets incorporate spectral decomposition and stratal slicing, revealing well-defined clastic channels and submarine fan complexes. These advanced imaging techniques offer interpreters detailed views of key reservoir geometries in frontier settings.
Geology
Seismic data reveal promising leads within clastic channel and submarine fan complexes, which are clearly visible in stratal slices using spectral decomposition from 3D datasets. These clastic reservoirs are believed to be sourced from Albian-Cenomanian-Turonian-aged rocks and are considered geologically analogous to successful play types found offshore Guyana.
Additional Insights
Upgrading vintage data in the Punta del Este & Pelotas basins
6/1/2024 - The offshore basins of Uruguay and Southern Brazil have a limited oil and gas exploration history. Since the announcements of light oil discoveries on the conjugate...
Correlation between homologous basins in the South Atlantic
11/1/2022 - Following the discovery of two vast fields of gas/condensate in South Africa and, more recently, of oil/gas in Namibia, a new proven petroleum system was established...
TGS Expands Multi-client Coverage Offshore Brazil
12/7/2022 - TGS, a global provider of energy data and intelligence, today announced that it has secured pre-funding for the Santos Sul Multi-client 3D project in the southwest...
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