Some of the heavy and extra heavy oil accumulations offshore Campos Basin have been known since the beginning of the development of the basin, in the 80's, but they never had a chance of being developed due to the technology challenges involved. The maturation of lighter oil fields, associated with recent technology developments has boosted the interest for these heavy oil resources which have been set aside for many years.This paper describes a case history on the strategy for the appraisal and pilot testing of a large offshore shallow highly heterogeneous carbonate 12.3 API reservoir, at 100m water depth. The pilot was justified aiming at obtaining static and dynamic information of the reservoir behavior such as: volume in place connected by the well, reservoir permeability, presence of internal barriers and reservoir connectivity, aquifer support, effectiveness of long horizontal well (2000m) completed with slotted liner performance, high power electrical submersible pump (ESP) behavior.The successful pilot production started in March, 31, 2008 to the FPSO Cidade de Rio das Ostras. It has been since closely monitored by permanent down-hole gauge (PGD) and ESP sensors used to update a reservoir simulation model. Some unexpected shut downs in the processing plant shut have created a series of build-ups followed by flow periods which have given the opportunity to better investigate the reservoir although putting some risk in the ESP/VSD operation. Preliminary results show more viscous oil than initially expected in a more complex reservoir (possibly a double porosity/permeability system). Well effectiveness and productivity is also below estimated values nevertheless it has shown a promise for a definitive production plan. Pilot information will be employed in the definitive development plan expected to be implemented in 2011.

Some of the heavy and extra heavy oil accumulations offshore Campos Basin have been known since the beginning of the development of the basin, in the 80's, but they never had a chance of being developed due to the technology challenges involved. The maturation of lighter oil fields, associated with recent technology developments has boosted the interest for these heavy oil resources which have been set aside for many years.This paper describes a case history on the strategy for the appraisal and pilot testing of a large offshore shallow highly heterogeneous carbonate 12.3 API reservoir, at 100m water depth. The pilot was justified aiming at obtaining static and dynamic information of the reservoir behavior such as: volume in place connected by the well, reservoir permeability, presence of internal barriers and reservoir connectivity, aquifer support, effectiveness of long horizontal well (2000m) completed with slotted liner performance, high power electrical submersible pump (ESP) behavior.The successful pilot production started in March, 31, 2008 to the FPSO Cidade de Rio das Ostras. It has been since closely monitored by permanent down-hole gauge (PGD) and ESP sensors used to update a reservoir simulation model. Some unexpected shut downs in the processing plant shut have created a series of build-ups followed by flow periods which have given the opportunity to better investigate the reservoir although putting some risk in the ESP/VSD operation. Preliminary results show more viscous oil than initially expected in a more complex reservoir (possibly a double porosity/permeability system). Well effectiveness and productivity is also below estimated values nevertheless it has shown a promise for a definitive production plan. Pilot information will be employed in the definitive development plan expected to be implemented in 2011.