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Ibama Suspends Analysis of Petrobras Megaproject in Pre-salt Due to Unprecedented Demand on Climate Change, Impacting One of the Largest Investments Planned for the Brazilian Oil Sector.
The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) suspended the analysis of Petrobras’ request for a preliminary license for the 4th phase of pre-salt exploration in the Santos Basin.
The project, estimated at R$ 196.4 billion, planned to install ten new oil platforms, with operations scheduled to begin in the next decade, according to official data.
The decision, announced in July 2025, jeopardizes the future of large-scale operations along Brazil’s southeast coast, one of the most strategic areas of the national energy sector.
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Suspension of Environmental Licensing
The central reason for the halt, as explained by the environmental agency, is the absence of a specific program with actions aimed at addressing climate change.
Ibama began to require Petrobras to present detailed targets in five areas: transparency, monitoring, mitigation, compensation, and adaptation.
According to the Institute, the state-owned company only presented information on existing initiatives, without detailing new actions or strategies aligned with what was requested in the current phase of environmental licensing.
Divergences and Context of the Process
The request for a preliminary license, filed in July 2021, underwent four years of technical analyses and exchanges of information between regulatory agencies and the state-owned company.
During this period, the divergences between Ibama’s requirements and Petrobras’ responses have intensified.
In June 2025, the environmental agency formalized the suspension of the analysis process, alleging that the climate change program was not only necessary but mandatory given the national commitments undertaken by Brazil in international climate agreements.
Environmental Impacts and Projections
The environmental impacts of pre-salt exploration are substantial.
According to Ibama itself, the operation of the ten platforms could generate emissions exceeding 7.6 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year from 2032 to 2042.
This volume reinforces the agency’s concern regarding the need for mitigation and adaptation measures to global warming in large-scale projects, especially considering Brazil’s prominence in global offshore oil production.
Petrobras Reaction and Investments
Petrobras, in an official response sent to Ibama in May 2025, highlighted that the request for a specific climate change program is unprecedented in the history of federal environmental licensing.
The company states that the terms of reference, the document that guides the initial phase of licensing, did not foresee the presentation of such a detailed program.
Still, the oil company indicated that it is maintaining an open dialogue with the agency and is evaluating what adaptations can be made to facilitate the resumption of the process.
The suspended project planned to install platforms located at a minimum distance of 178 kilometers from the coasts of the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with operations expected to begin in the coming years.
The estimated investment of R$ 196.4 billion is among the largest ever announced for the oil sector in Brazil, according to data compiled by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).
Reflections for the Oil and Gas Sector
The episode has direct repercussions for the national oil and gas industry, which faces increasing challenges regarding environmental and climate demands.
In recent years, pressure from global investors, multilateral agencies, and civil society movements for sustainable practices and emission reductions has intensified.
Environmental licensing for large projects, such as the pre-salt project in the Santos Basin, has begun to require greater detail in socio-environmental responsibility actions.
According to energy sector experts, the impasse could result in significant delays in the expansion of Brazil’s oil production, affecting both royalty revenues for states and municipalities and the potential for generating direct and indirect jobs.
For Ibama, however, the rigor in assessing environmental impacts is essential to ensure compliance with the climate goals undertaken by the country.
Changes in Environmental Requirements
The debate on the need for a specific climate change program in environmental licenses in the oil sector is still recent in Brazil.
The discussion takes place amid the advancement of international regulations and the increasing demand for transparency and environmental accountability from major energy companies.
The Petrobras case may serve as a reference for future offshore exploration projects, especially in light of the global energy transition scenario.
Until July 2025, there were no records of projects of this magnitude that had been blocked due to the absence of a detailed climate program.
The episode involving Petrobras may, therefore, mark a paradigm shift in the granting of environmental licenses for large enterprises in the country, highlighting the balance between economic development and environmental protection.
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