Ibama Changes Understanding on Simulation of Petrobras’ Pre-Operational Assessment (APO) in the Mouth of the Amazon

Ibama Technicians Changed Their Mind About Licensing for Petrobras Simulation in the Amazon Mouth. They Believe It Is Necessary to Conduct a Prior APA.

The progress of the environmental licensing by Ibama for the Petrobras simulation in the Amazon Mouth region, on the Equatorial Margin, took new directions this Monday, (05/15). The agency’s environmental technicians recommended the filing of the licensing, for the company to conduct a Prior Operational Assessment (APA), before the simulation. This is yet another obstacle in the licensing process for the company’s campaign in the area.

Ibama Technicians Recommend Rejection of Petrobras Simulation in the Amazon Mouth

Ibama has changed its understanding of the Prior Operational Assessment (APA) simulation in the oil field of the Amazon Mouth, on the Amapá coast.

Some Ibama technicians had previously expressed opposition to and requested the filing of the drilling license application in the Amazon Mouth, without allowing Petrobras to carry out the APA beforehand.

However, the head of the Environmental Licensing Directorate (Dilic), Régis Fontana, internally contested these conclusions, suggesting that the APA be conducted before the final decision on whether to proceed with the licensing request.

The APA is a procedure that simulates a response to an emergency in the region, such as a spill.

It is part of the licensing process for oil and gas exploration and production projects in Brazil.

In the case of the Amazon Mouth, the APA has been discussed since 2017, initially by bp, before Petrobras took over the FZA-M-59 block contract in 2020.

Now, the company continues to reaffirm its commitment to a safe campaign in the region, emphasizing that it meets all necessary requirements to proceed with the simulation.

Discussions About APA Simulation Are New Obstacles in Petrobras Campaign

Petrobras has been meeting Ibama’s requirements for the simulation to progress according to the established timeline.

The initial forecast was to conduct the simulation in August 2022, but there were logistical difficulties and demands for improvements.

In February 2023, once the requirements were met, the state-owned company finally requested that the simulation be scheduled for the following month, which did not happen.

Now, the oil company is awaiting authorization to carry out the simulation and continue the licensing process.

It stated that “it has all operational and personnel resources mobilized for the conduct of the simulated emergency response exercise, which is a requirement of the environmental licensing process.”

The change in Ibama’s understanding of the APA simulation poses a challenge for the company’s campaign, which has been working hard to meet the agency’s demands.

It is unclear when the simulation may occur, and it is possible that the delay will further postpone the start of drilling in the Amazon Mouth.

If the field is developed, it could become one of the largest oil fields in Brazil. However, the project has faced opposition from environmental groups concerned about the potential environmental impacts of drilling in the region.

The change in Ibama’s understanding of the APA simulation serves as a reminder of the challenges Petrobras faces in developing its oil and gas resources.

The company is under pressure to meet the growing demand for oil and gas in Brazil, but it also faces increased opposition from environmental groups.

Now, it remains for Petrobras and the natural oil and gas market to await Ibama’s next decisions regarding the APA simulation in the Amazon Mouth.