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Proposal Will Analyze Economic and Environmental Consequences of Oil Exploration in Guyana and Strengthen Bilateral Dialogue with Brazil
The Senate is examining the creation of an external committee to visit Guyana and closely assess how the country conducts oil exploration. The proposal is expected to be voted on in the House chamber and, if approved, will take a group of ten senators to the neighboring country.
The mission, according to the author of the request, Senator Dr. Hiran (PP-RR), could help Brazil identify best practices and better understand the environmental impacts of the activity.
The initiative primarily focuses on the possible exploration of the so-called Brazilian equatorial margin, which extends from Amapá to Rio Grande do Norte.
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Objective of the Mission in Guyana
Dr. Hiran advocates that observing how Guyana conducts oil extraction could bring valuable lessons for Brazil. According to him, the experience of that country could serve as a reference for the sustainable development of national energy resources.
The senator also stated that the mission could open doors for technical and economic partnerships between Brazil and Guyana.
Offer of Blocks by ANP
In the same week that the proposal was presented, the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) released the list of oil blocks that will be available in the next sector auction. The event is scheduled for June 17 and is part of the 5th Cycle of the Permanent Offering of Concessions (OPC).
In total, 332 blocks will be offered in the basins of the Amazon River Mouth, Pelotas, Santos, Potiguar, and Parecis. In the Amazon River Mouth alone, 47 blocks are included, divided into four sectors.
This region is already known for housing block FZA-M-59, currently under the control of Petrobras. The asset was auctioned in 2013 by BP, still under the Concession regime.
The environmental licensing process began in 2014, and since Petrobras acquired the block in 2021, exploration depends on the release of the environmental license by Ibama.
Oil and Gas Exploration: Changes to the Social Fund
The Senate is also discussing a provisional measure that amends the law of the Social Fund. This law allocates part of the resources from oil and gas exploration to social and regional development.
The provisional measure was published in March and will expire on May 4 if not extended. To address the issue, the installation of a mixed committee in the Senate is scheduled for April 22.
The proposal has already received 49 amendments, including one that defines a 120-day deadline for the environmental agency to respond regarding licensing. The deadline may be suspended if further studies are needed.
The processing of the measure is being conducted on a conclusive basis. This means it will be analyzed by the committees on Social Security, Social Assistance, Childhood, Adolescence and Family; Finance and Taxation; and Constitution and Justice and Citizenship of the Chamber of Deputies. To become law, it still needs to be approved by both legislative Houses.
Rules for Sustainable Exploration
In addition to the provisional measure, there is a bill underway that specifically addresses exploration in the Amazon River Mouth region. The text proposes guidelines and standards to ensure that the activity occurs sustainably, respecting the environment and local biodiversity.
Senator Mecias de Jesus (Republicanos-RR) explained that the proposal seeks to create a specific legal framework for the region. The intention is to balance economic development with the constitutional principles of environmental protection and the social function of property.
This project is still awaiting analysis by the President of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP). The congressman has expressed himself multiple times in favor of granting the environmental license for Petrobras to begin drilling in the region.
With information from MegaWhat.
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