Abstract Currently, in the southeastern cost of Brazil, a major deepwater exploratory campaign is being carried out. In a period of two years more than 150 wells are expected to be drilled. With water depth varying from 1,000 to 2,800 meters (3,280 to 9,200 ft), these exploratory wells are being designed and drilled taking into account three major points, safety, well data reliability and well cost. On the design of the wells various innovations were implemented. Casing design is aimed to minimize the number of casing sections and a new improved deepwater wellhead system is being used. The drilling fluid system has been specially planned to improve borehole quality, cuttings transport and drilling efficiency. The innovative approach adopted to drill the wells significantly reduced the total drilling time, which was very important due to the shortage of deepwater drilling vessels in the current market.