Known as the Marte discovery the well is the fourth drilled by BP in Block 31, and the third successful discovery following the Plutão and Saturno discoveries, which lie 20 to 25km from Marte.

The well is located in water depth of 2,000m, around 175km off the Angolan coast, and reached a total depth of 4,193 metres below sea level with a flow of 5,200 barrels a day during testing.

Block 31 and its operatorship was awarded in 1999 by Angola's state oil company Sonangol to BP with a 26.67% equity together with its partners Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Block 31) 25%, Sonangol, E.P. 20%, Statoil Angola A.S.13.33%, Marathon Petroleum Angola Block 31 10% and EPA (Block 31) 5%.

The proximity of Marte to Plutão and Saturno makes a joint development likely, however, further work will be required to define the scope of any subsequent development. BP plans to drill one further exploration well, Vénus-1, in this area this year.