About 120 million years ago, giant reptiles left their footprints throughout the Northeastern dry lands. The so-called Vale dos Dinossauros (Valley of the Dinosaurs), in the interior of the state of Paraíba, in the Northeast region of Brazil, is known as an archaeological treasure by the researchers.

Another treasure, however, may be hidden exactly beneath the gigantic footsteps. Farmers in the city of Sousa (427 kilometers away from the capital of the state, João Pessoa) have found oil when digging wells in search of water, at only 30 meters depth.

The National Petroleum Agency (ANP) is carrying out researches in the region to know if the sedimentary basin in the city is wide enough to justify commercial exploration.

Samples collected by the Company for Development of Mineral Resources in Paraíba (CDRM) show that the oil has a paraffin base and is of excellent quality, commonly used in the manufacture of nylon.

The president of the company, Aderaldo Ferreira, explained that, because it has a low extraction cost and evidence points at a high quality oil, the production in the region should be economically viable even with small reserves.

"I have no expectations that this is a large layer. But I hope that, at least, the reserves discovered are commercial," he declared.

A consortium formed by the ANP, Petrobras (the Brazilian oil giant) and the state government is paying for the organic geo-chemical analysis of the area, in search for hydrocarbons, elements associated to the presence of petroleum.

"Just one study alone of the region, which is necessary throughout the whole research process, costs about US$ 2 million. Even after the viability is checked, tender will have to be opened to choose the exploiting companies," says Jurandir Xavier, president of the Development Company of Paraíba, justifying the period of 4 years to the beginning of the exploitation in itself.

Happiness

Even with the forecasted delay, the farmers in the region are excited. It is not in vain. According to the Brazilian legislation, the owner of the land has the right to a participation of 0.5% to 1% of what is extracted.

"I still don't know how much money this is going to give me. But, for sure, it is a lot more than I make with my little farm," celebrates Antônio Marinho da Silva, 54 years old. In search for water the farmer found petroleum less than 32 meters deep and already feels rich. "This is going to be my retirement," he bets.

Someone else who doesn't hide his happiness is the mayor of Sousa, Salomão Gadelha.

"Our city has limited resources and survives mainly from the constitutional budget and agreements with the federal government. The royalties of the petroleum, to which the municipal administration is entitled, may change what the region looks like," he says happily.

Sousa has 63,094 inhabitants and 842 square kilometers. The budget for the city is of only US$ 5.9 million.

Another onshore basin, discovered in the Brazilian Northeast 25 years ago, still has an output of 31,000 barrels of oil per day.

The Campo de Canto Amoro reserve, in the region of Mossoró, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, was discovered when a hotel was drilling wells to ensure the supply of water for their swimming pool.

ANBA – Brazil-Arab News Agency

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