The state could become the center of an economic revolution with the exploration of the Equatorial Margin. There are 16 billion barrels of oil and 300 jobs at stake.
While many look to large centers in search of progress, a strategic, little-explored region is emerging as the next great pillar of the national economy.
What could connect a state like Amapá, often left on the sidelines, with global energy powerhouses?
The answer is in Equatorial Margin, an extensive strip that houses resources capable of transforming not only Amapá, but the entire economy of the North and Northeast of Brazil.
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It is estimated that around 16 billion barrels of oil are hidden underground in this area., an amount that could reconfigure the Brazilian energy balance and lead to an unprecedented economic leap.
What is the Equatorial Margin?
The Equatorial Margin extends for approximately 500 thousand km², covering the coast from Rio Grande do Norte to Amapá.
This vast territory is on the radar of international experts and companies, mainly due to its energy relevance.
According to National Confederation of Industry (CNI), this exploration has the potential to generate up to 326 thousand direct and indirect jobs in the states involved, consolidating itself as an economic lever for the North and Northeast.
In Amapá, specifically, the numbers are impressive: the activity can create 53.916 new jobs and increase the local GDP by 61,2%, injecting R$10,7 billion into the state economy.
These data reflect how oil exploration is capable of integrating the state into a context of national development.
Impacts in Brazil and global comparisons
Brazil, which currently has 14,8 billion barrels in reserves, needs to act quickly to avoid losing space on the global stage.
According to Carlos Logulo, organizer of the Oil & Gas Summit, events like this are essential to discuss the direction of this exploration and ensure that the country is prepared to compete with neighboring nations.
Countries like Guyana and Suriname have been reaping the benefits of the Equatorial Margin for a decade now, with reserves of 11 billion and 4 billion barrels, respectively.
If Brazil does not increase its investments in the region, experts warn that the country could face challenges.
“National production will decline from 2032 onwards. Without new projects, Brazil could once again become a net importer of oil in the 2040s,” says Logulo.
Job creation and local development
One of the most promising aspects of this exploration is the demand for diverse workforce.
Engineers, logistics technicians, construction workers and advanced service specialists will be among those most in demand.
This movement should strengthen sectors such as infrastructure and transport, with investments in ports, roads and communication networks, which will directly benefit local populations.
Additionally, we bring royalties generated by oil exploration can be used for investments in education, health and technology, expanding the positive impact on the quality of life of communities.
Petrobras and the first steps
The first studies carried out in the Foz do Amazonas basin and in Amapá brought promising results, with clear signs of oil.
This year, Petrobras announced the discovery of significant reserves in the Anhangá exploratory well, located between Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte.
These discoveries reinforce the strategic importance of the Equatorial Margin for Brazil’s energy future.
challenges and future
Despite the optimistic outlook, exploration in the Equatorial Margin faces challenges.
Environmental, logistical and even political issues need to be addressed so that investments can be made in a sustainable way.
But for many experts, the risk of inaction is even greater than the cost of the challenges.
How does Brazil intend to balance economic benefits with environmental preservation? And most importantly, what will Amapá do to ensure that this energy revolution brings lasting progress to its people?
How can oil shape Brazil's future?
The stage is set for an economic leap forward in the North and Northeast, but the decisions taken now will be crucial in defining how Brazil will position itself in the global energy market in the coming decades.
Will Brazil seize this opportunity or will it miss another chance to lead the energy sector?