Esso Exploração Santos Brasileira Ltda., ExxonMobil Corp.

Esso Exploração Santos Brasileira Ltda., a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corp. has retained IndigoPool to sell a stake in a block offshore Brazil.

The package includes 25% interest in Block BM-S-22 in the pre-salt play of the Santos Basin. Current participants in the concession are Esso with a 40% stake (operator), Hess with 40% and Petrobras with 20%. In exchange for the 25% interest, the buyer will fund the drilling of a well (Maracanã) to test a new pre-salt play concept, which is well defined from high quality 3-D seismic.

The prospect is ready to drill with a permitted location. The initial gross unrisked recoverable estimate for the play is up to 1.5 billion barrels of oil. Upside includes opportunity to access pre-salt objectives in the highly prospective Outer Basin High where giant fields have been discovered.

The bid due date is Dec. 9. Contact John Medler, 713-513-2155, jmedler@slb.com.