The ANP (National Petroleum Agency), states that no activity can be carried out in a permanent preservation area, in Santa Catarina

Yesterday, Wednesday (01/09), the ANP (National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels), disclosed that the extraction of petroleum on the coast of the state of Santa Catarina should start in, at least, six years. The 17th Bidding Round for Oil and Natural Gas by the ANP is scheduled for October 7, in which 92 offshore exploration blocks will be offered in the Campos, Santos, Pelotas and Potiguar basins. Also see this news: Historic action on oil royalties is favorable to Santa Catarina and may generate compensation for the state

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Oil giants are interested in extraction in Santa Catarina

Several industry giants are in the dispute for extraction. The last company registered for the 17th Bidding Round for Oil and Natural Gas Blocks is the Australian Karoon Petróleo e Gás Ltda. Petrobras, Chevron Brasil Oil and Gas Ltd (USA), Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltda (Anglo-Dutch) TotalEnergies EP Brasil Ltda (French), Ecopetrol Oil and Gas do Brasil Ltda (Colombia) and Murphy Exploration & Production Company are already in the competition. (USA).

The auction is scheduled by the National Petroleum Agency (ANP) for October 7 and will offer 92 blocks with a total area of ​​53,93 km². The blocks are located in four Brazilian marine sedimentary basins: Campos, Pelotas, Potiguar and Santos. The Pelotas Basin faces the coast of Santa Catarina. The nearest block is 90 kilometers from the coast, and the farthest is 200 kilometers.

Environmentalists point out possible impacts with oil extraction

Next month, the ANP (National Petroleum Agency) will hold its 17th auction for dozens of exploration blocks on the coast of the state of Santa Catarina. Experts on the subject, however, say that there is no reason for us to stop using this energy matrix and that it could yield billions of reais in royalties. Environmental entities, on the other hand, outline the worst scenario with the possibility of oil extraction in Santa Catarina waters. They point to mass layoffs, compromising the fishing industry and tourism.

Pedro Rodrigues, director of the Brazilian Center for Infrastructure, explained that oil today has extremely advanced technology. It is no longer that image of a bomb in the middle of the desert gushing oil everywhere. Today there are very demanding norms and the rules need to be complied with and compensation made. It is a wealth that needs to be exploited. If we don't use it today, we will lose this wealth underground.

Oil industry technicians and environmentalists debate possible extraction

Daniel Bettú, professor at the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Udesc, in Balneário Camboriú, says that the demand for oil extraction will still grow over the next 20 years and that there is a need to increase production by 20%, including for the manufacture of inputs for clean and sustainable energy operation. Oil, in fact, is not the energy of the future. Investing in renewable energy matrices is the way forward. But, if there is a market for the next 20 years, there is no reason to give up this wealth whose resources may be earmarked for sanitation, health and education, for example.

The coordinator of the Environmentalist Parliamentary Front of Santa Catarina, deputy Paulinha, says that the traditional mullet fishing could end up on the coast of Santa Catarina and beach tourism would be compromised. According to her, “In addition to the fact that there are no necessary studies, so far no public hearing has been held with the population of Santa Catarina and the south coast on oil extraction”. The parliamentarian also says that studies are non-existent, analyzes of Sedimentary Basins, environmental impacts and adequate contingency plans. It is reckless to auction areas without prior technical references. Even if there is no leak, contamination will be inevitable, and it is not known how much damage the coast of Santa Catarina will suffer.