Peruvian hydrocarbon concern Perupetro has called competitive bidding processes on two exploration permits that have attracted more than one interested party.
"Normally we award blocks through direct negotiation a first-come, first-served basis, but if more than one company expresses interest in the same area then we hold a public bidding process," Perupetro general manager Jose Chavez said at the sidelines of the Latin Upstream conference in Rio de Janeiro.
An offer of acreage on Block B-04, straddling the Maranon and Santiago basins, attracted interest from three companies. Bids are due by 17 April.
Blocks 23 and 24, in northwestern Peru's Talara and Sechura basins, attracted interest from six small companies, with bids due to be opened on 5 June.
Chavez added that there are several underexplored regions in Peru,including offshore areas and deep-water formations around the Camisea gas fields in the south-east.
The discoveries he mentioned included Repsol YPF's Buena-vista-1X find on Block 39 from which 14-degree API oil has flowed at a rate of 3000 barrels per day.
Buenavista's reservoir lies at a depth of 2147 metres and reserves are estimated at between 50 million and 60 million barrels in a single structure.
The Spanish company is drilling a second prospect lying 10 kilometres away and is planning to spud on a third structure about 50 kilometres away.
"The idea is to build up reserves on three or more structures to get to between 200 million and 300 million barrels and reach a development scenario," Chavez said Chavez also highlighed Occidental's discovery of light oil with the Situche Central well on Block 64, with flows of up to 3000 bpd under a short test programme.
Occidental is currently analysing the potential and economics of producing in this area with partners Talisman and Hess before deciding how or if to proceed further.
A Pluspetrol-led consortium is expected to spud the first of six development wells on Block 56 in May as development of the Pagoreni and Mipaya fields starts.
This area, near Camisea in the Ucayalia basin, will provide feedstock for the Hunt Oil-led Peru Liquefied Natural Gas project. "This region is semi-explored and the wells will look for upside potential," Chavez said.
Repsol, which recently farmed into the Peru LNG project, is also preparing an exploration programme on Block 57 which follows the trend northwards from Camisea. "They are going to drill an untested structure called Kitetampa to the north of Pagoreni next year," Chavez said.
Brazil's Petrobras is also preparing to explore on Block 58, also following the Camisea trend. The company began holding workshops with local and indigenous communities in March.
Peru signed a record 15 expl-oration permits last year. Perupetro has only signed one this year, but has five more ready to sign. Hess will take blocks 118, 119 and 120, with Petrobras landing Block 117 and Block76 going to Hunt.
