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
11 December 2025
The removal of the ban on oil and gas exploration and an overhaul of the system sends all the right messages for energy security, affordability and sustainability
10 December 2025
The economic and environmental cost of the seven-year exploration ban will be felt long after its removal
9 December 2025
The group’s oil production declined in November, our latest analysis finds, amid divided sentiment over market balances and geopolitical jitters
8 December 2025
The Caribbean country’s role in the global oil market is significantly diminished, but disruptions caused by outright conflict would still have implications for US Gulf Coast refineries






