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President Lula took a stand against Ibama's actions and supported Petrobras in its quest to explore the Foz do Amazonas Basin.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke about the need for authorization from the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) so that Petrobras can carry out research in search of oil in the Foz do Amazonas Basin, located on the Equatorial Margin, on the coast of Amapá.
The region, rich in potential for the discovery of oil reserves, has been the subject of public debate, especially among environmentalists, who warn of possible environmental damage in the exploration of the area.
Lula points out the need for research before exploration
In an interview with Rádio Diário FM, in Macapá (AP), Lula highlighted that the government's objective is not, initially, to carry out exploration, but rather to authorize research to verify the existence and quantity of oil in the region.
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The president stated that, despite the importance of protecting the environment, Brazil cannot ignore the natural riches that have the potential to guarantee essential financial resources for the country's development and for the energy transition.
“It’s not that I’m going to order exploration, I want it to be explored. Now, before exploring, we have to research, we have to see if there’s oil, the quantity of oil, because many times you dig a hole 2 meters deep and you don’t find what you imagined,” explained Lula.
The president also highlighted that a meeting between the Civil House, the Ibama and Petrobras, with the aim of guaranteeing the necessary authorization to begin research.
However, he emphasized that authorization for exploration will be a future discussion, depending on the results of the research.
“What we can’t do is keep going on like this, Ibama is a government agency that seems to be an agency against the government,” added Lula.
The Amazon River Basin and its oil potential
The Foz do Amazonas Basin, located on the Equatorial Margin, on the coast of Amapá, is considered a strategic area for the oil industry.
The region has great potential to contain large oil reservoirs, attracting the interest of Petrobras and investors in the energy sector.
However, in May 2023, Ibama denied the license for the Petrobras carry out maritime prospecting in the area, alleging “technical inconsistencies” in the operations plan, especially with regard to the Fauna Protection Plan.
Lula defended Petrobras, arguing that the company has vast experience in deep-water oil exploration and that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure environmental safety.
“We will comply with all necessary procedures to ensure that no damage is caused to nature, but we cannot know that there is wealth beneath us that we will not exploit, especially because it is from this wealth that we will have the money to build the famous and dreamed-of energy transition,” said the president.
Petrobras' Strategic Plan and environmental licensing
For the period 2024-2028, Petrobras' Strategic Plan foresees investments of an incredible US$ 3,1 billion and the drilling of 16 wells along the Equatorial Margin, which covers five offshore basins, including the Foz do Amazonas Basin.
However, the company only obtained authorization from Ibama to drill two wells, located in the Potiguar Basin, on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte.
Another 11 wells are already operating in the production phase, with six of them in the process of being returned due to the lack of significant discoveries.
In October, Ibama requested new clarifications from Petrobras regarding environmental licensing in Foz do Amazonas, especially regarding the details of the Fauna Protection Plan, presented by Petrobras in August.
The environmental agency acknowledged progress in the plan, but requested more information on the plan's compliance with standards and the presence of veterinarians on vessels, as well as specifications on the helicopters needed for emergency situations.
History of research and exploration on the Equatorial Margin
The Brazilian Equatorial Margin, which extends from the Amapá region to Rio Grande do Norte, has been the target of research since the 80s, with the aim of identifying new reserves of oil and natural gas.
According to Petrobras, more than 700 wells have already been drilled in shallow waters in the region, many of them before the creation of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).
However, several exploratory wells were abandoned due to mechanical accidents.
In 2015, the discovery of large volumes of oil in the Guyana-Suriname Basin ended up awakening international interest in the exploration of similar sedimentary basins, such as the Foz do Amazonas Basin, which is Petrobras' focus.
The company is betting on the region's potential to increase national oil production and diversify Brazil's energy sources.
With information from Agency Brazil.
