ANP Received 48 Requests to Extend the Exploration Phase of Oil and Gas Blocks, 29 of Which Have Already Been Approved and 19 Are Still Under Review.
Oil and Gas Exploration – Twelve different oil companies have already submitted requests to the National Oil Agency (ANP) for extensions of deadlines for complying with their exploration programs due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 Impacts Shipbuilding in Brazil and China and May Compromise the Delivery Deadline for the FPSO Mero 2
In total, the regulatory agency received 48 requests as of August 11, of which 29 were already approved by the agency and 19 are still under review.
Eneva was the company that submitted the most requests (17 in total, of which four have already been approved), followed by Petrobras (ten requests, nine of which have already been accepted).
-
Ocyan opens registrations for startups focused on innovation in the oil and gas sector and will select projects for Innovation Day with the support of Nexio.
-
Petrobras announces new oil discovery in the pre-salt of the Campos Basin and reinforces Brazil’s prominence with high-quality reserves that can increase production and energy revenues.
-
Alert in the fuel market: Analysts and a former director of ANP warn that oil prices may worsen in the coming months due to global instability.
-
Ocyan brings executives and digital solutions to Macaé Energy 2026 and highlights offshore expansion with Nexio and a new base in Macaé.
Total (five, already approved), BP (four, one already accepted), Recôncavo Energia (four, approved), Imetame (two), Equinor (one, approved), Alvopetro (one, approved), Geopark (one, approved), Phoenix (one, approved), Great Energy (one, approved), and BGM (one, approved) complete the list of operators that requested more time.
Check Out Other News and Job Openings in the Oil and Gas Industry
- Federal Government Announces Up to 40% Increase in the Fleet of Ships for Brazilian Cabotage, and the Shipbuilding Industry Foresees a Bill That Could Benefit Ports, Generating Jobs and Reducing Dependence on Land Transport by Trucks
- Petrobras Is Shrinking in Number of Assets, but the Oil and Gas Industry Could Be the Salvation in the Post-Pandemic Generating Jobs
- Petrobras Discusses Details Involving the Sale of Its Stake in the Pre-Salt Area of the Santos Basin
Oil and Gas Exploration
Exploration is the first phase of exploration and production contracts, in which companies conduct studies and activities (such as seismic and drilling of wells) with the aim of discovering and/or assessing oil and gas deposits.
When companies win the blocks in ANP auctions, they assume minimum commitments for drilling and seismic surveys, with defined deadlines.
Due to the effects of the pandemic, which led to a shock in oil prices in the oil and gas industry and operational restrictions, ANP decided to open the possibility for postponement of these exploratory deadlines.
The agency allows for the postponement of these commitments for nine months. The extension of exploratory deadlines was regulated by ANP through Resolution 815/2020, published under the health emergency related to COVID-19.
According to the regulatory agency, the order of analysis of requests considers, among other factors, the proximity of the deadline for the extension of the contract. The deadline for submitting requests for postponements of oil and gas exploration is still open.
Click to see the list of requests received. (published on 08/11/20). ANP will periodically update the list of requests received and the status of the analysis.

Seja o primeiro a reagir!