On 24 November 2017, Bolivian Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy (MHE) announced that state company YPFB and Russiaâs Gazprom have signed a joint declaration to indicate that contract negotiation process to explore the Vitiacua and La Ceiba blocks has begun. Gazprom previously completed technical studies in said areas sometime in mid-2017 after initially signing a study agreement for the blocks (as well as the Madidi block in Beni Basin) back in June 2016. The Vitiacua (738 sq km) and La Ceiba (475 sq km) blocks are located on the Sub-Andean Zone of Chaco Basin in the Chuquisaca Department and Tarija Department, respectively. Vitiacua is situated adjacent to Petrobrasâ Campo Sabalo block where the giant Sabalo gas field is located. Meanwhile, La Ceiba is situated next to another Petrobras block with a large gas field, Campo San Alberto, where the San Alberto field is located. Along with Repsolâs Margarita-Huacaya field, the three mega-fields contributed some 70% of gas production in Bolivia at the end of 2016. According to reports in early-November 2017, Gazprom plans to explore the Huamampampa, Icla and Santa Rosa formations in the Vitiacua block at the depth of approximately 5,500 m (18,045 ft). The Vitiacua area was said to have the potential of 6.2 Tcfg and 173 MMbo. Commitments in the first phase of exploration is expected to include magnetotelluric and gravimetric surveys, 2D seismic acquisition, and the drilling of an exploratory well of 5,000 m (16,404 m). No information regarding plans for the La Ceiba block is available at this time.
Bolivia (Maturin Sub-basin (East Venezuela B.)) Santa Rosa