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With the phrase “Let's drill, baby!”, the president of Petrobras firmly defends the exploration of the Equatorial Margin, pointing out the project as strategic for energy sovereignty and the reduction of inequalities in the North of Brazil
During the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), held in Houston, United States, Petrobras president Magda Chambriard reinforced the importance of oil exploration in Brazilian Equatorial Margin.
The event, held on Tuesday (6), was marked by emphatic statements from the executive, who firmly defended the advancement of the project. Alongside the governor of Amapá, Clécio Luís (Solidariedade), Magda stated: “We will have good surprises when we have the license to drill.".
One of the last oil frontiers in Brazil
The speech was recorded on video and confirmed by Petrobras to the newspaper Valor Econômico, which had exclusive access to the content. The Equatorial Margin covers six states: Amapá, Pará, Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte.
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It is considered one of the last major oil exploration frontiers in Brazil. According to Magda, the region is strategic for ensuring energy security, increasing public revenue and combating regional inequalities.
“Let's drill, baby!”: energy sovereignty on the agenda
In front of an international audience, Magda used a striking phrase: “Let's drill, baby!”. The expression, common in political debates in the United States, was reinterpreted in the speech by the president of the state-owned company as an affirmation of Brazilian energy sovereignty.
The objective, according to her, is to show that Brazil is willing to advance in the responsible exploration of its resources, even in the face of external and internal pressure.
Amapá bets on economic turnaround
The panel where Magda spoke was promoted by the Brazilian Institute of Oil and Gas (IBP). In it, Governor Clécio Luís reinforced the importance of exploration for Amapá.
"We really need these resources and we believe it is possible to do this safely.”, he said. Petrobras assured that it will use advanced technologies and follow strict environmental protocols.
The statements come amid an institutional impasse with the Brazilian Institute of the Environment (IBAMA). So far, the environmental agency has not yet granted the necessary license to begin drilling.
The resistance is attributed to the influence of the Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva. Ibama's position has already been criticized, including by members of the government.
Political support grows
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also spoke out on the issue. In an interview, he stated that Ibama “cannot keep up this nonsense”. The statement was seen as a gesture of support for the position of Senator Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), the main political articulator of the initiative.
In March, Ibama approved the cleaning plan for the probe that will be used in the operation. This was an important step in the licensing process. However, the final authorization has not yet been granted, despite appeals from authorities in the North of the country.
For Magda and the project's allies, the defense of the Equatorial Margin is more than a technical issue. It is Brazil's right to explore its riches with responsibility and social commitment.
With information from Brasil 247.
