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Maranhão Announces Plans To Create An Oil And Gas College, Aiming To Train Local Labor For Future Operations In The Equatorial Margin. The State Wants To Take Advantage Of The Potential Of Up To 60 Billion Barrels And Seeks Resources, Seismic Studies, And Environmental Policies To Prepare The Region.
The advancement of discussions regarding oil exploration in the Equatorial Margin is beginning to mobilize state governments. In Maranhão, development prospects gained strength with the decision to invest in professional training even before the start of commercial production. The state government assesses that, to seize the opportunity, it will be necessary to qualify young people and ensure local labor. Thus, the proposal to create an oil and gas college arises, aligned with the growing demand from companies that are expected to operate in the coming years.
As the national debate intensifies, Governor Carlos Brandão emphasizes that the state cannot wait for drilling to advance to take action. Preparation, according to him, needs to be immediate.
Governor Announces Plans To Create A College Focused On Oil And Gas
During his participation in COP30, Brandão revealed that the state government will initiate a broad educational project aimed at the energy sector. In his words, “We will start an oil and gas college. In five years, we will have young people ready to enter the job market. Otherwise, we will have to look for people in São Paulo.”
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The proposal includes technical-professional courses designed to meet the future demand generated by offshore exploration. The initiative aims not only to meet the need for labor but also to prevent the outflow of opportunities for professionals from outside the state.
Brandão’s statement echoes the stance taken by other governors of the Legal Amazon and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, all advocates of responsible exploration in the region.
Exploratory Drilling Advances And Brings The Equatorial Margin Closer To A New Phase
The educational plan of Maranhão emerges at a strategic moment. On October 21, Ibama granted a license for drilling in block FZA-M-059, located in deep waters off Amapá. The area is 500 km from the mouth of the Amazon River and 175 km from the coast. Although it is just the beginning of the process, the advancement paves the way for states in the region to prepare their economic and social structure.
The estimate is that the complete cycle — from seismic to production — will take between 7 and 10 years. Therefore, the Maranhão government understands that the current period is crucial for training workers and strengthening educational institutions.
Maranhão Estimates Potential Of 60 Billion Barrels Of Oil In Local Basins
The governor highlights that the state has two of the five basins in the Equatorial Margin: Grão-Pará and Barreirinhas. The combination of these areas generates a robust expectation of reserves, estimated at up to 60 billion barrels of oil. If the potential is confirmed, Maranhão could occupy a strategic position in the Brazilian energy chain.
There are no official projections yet regarding royalties, but Brandão believes that the resources will be decisive in transforming regional infrastructure. “I have no doubt that when the government begins to receive royalties, we will have much more resources to carry out the structural works that the state needs,” he states.
Seismic Studies And Auctions Reinforce The Interest Of Companies
Recent movements show that the state is already a target for the industry. According to Brandão, about a month ago, Maranhão received a ship from a Norwegian company to conduct seismic analyses. In total, 16 blocks have already undergone studies and are expected to be made available for auction.
The preparation is seen as a medium-term transition. “We understand that it is a project for about six to seven years — between seismic, the auction, and tests. So, it is not something for my government, but I have to leave it structured for the next one,” says the governor.
Governors Articulate Environmental Resources For Ibama
In addition to professional training and exploratory structure, the states of the Legal Amazon are also articulating a new guideline: directing part of the exploration resources to Ibama, focusing on environmental preservation. Brandão explains that this proposal was taken to Petrobras’ presidency. “This does not happen in the pre-salt of the Southeast — Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, a bit of São Paulo — but we suggested this for the Equatorial Margin,” he asserts.
The goal is to ensure that the advancement of oil comes accompanied by enhanced oversight and environmental protection, especially in sensitive ecosystems.
Maranhão Highlights Actions At COP30 And Capture Of International Resources
Still at COP30, Brandão presented figures on land regularization, with more than 8,500 land titles delivered to families. He also emphasized that the state secured R$ 45 million from the German government for actions to combat wildfires. The amount will be used to restructure 49 fire department units and build seven more.
These initiatives, combined with strategies for the future of oil, reinforce Maranhão’s attempt to position itself as a state prepared for energy, social, and environmental development over the next decade.
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