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