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During Visit To Indonesia, President Lula Defended The Decision Of Ibama Which Authorized Petrobras To Seek Oil In The Equatorial Margin. The Leftist Argues That The Resources Derived From Oil Will Be Essential To Finance The Energy Transition In Brazil.
During a press conference held in Indonesia, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) reiterated his support for the decision of Ibama that authorized Petrobras to begin research for the exploration of oil in the Equatorial Margin, an area located about 175 kilometers off the coast of Amapá and 500 kilometers from the mouth of the Amazon River.
The issue, which has generated wide controversy among environmentalists, gained international attention as it occurred just before the COP30, which will be held in Belém (PA). Even in the face of criticism, Lula maintained a defensive tone and emphasized the strategic importance of exploration for the economic and energy development of the country.
President Minimizes Controversies And Highlights Confidence In Petrobras
According to Lula, there is a long way between the research phase and the effective extraction of oil. “Between conducting research and extracting oil, a lot of time is needed, and new licenses are required to do these things,” he stated. The president also pointed out that the project is still in the initial phase and depends on new authorizations before any production.
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In response to criticism about possible environmental damage, Lula emphasized Petrobras’ expertise. “It is a company that has expertise. You do not have a history of Petrobras leaking oil or gas anywhere,” he declared. The president also stressed that the state-owned company is “possibly the firm with the greatest expertise to prospect oil in deep waters without any damage.”
Environmentalists And Federal Public Ministry Point To Risks
However, the release by Ibama faces resistance from NGOs, environmentalists, and the Federal Public Ministry, who claim technical flaws and a lack of consultation with traditional peoples of the Amazon region. These groups argue that the project may threaten sensitive ecosystems and compromise climate commitments made by Brazil.
The controversy has led the case to court, with entities requesting the suspension of activities until new environmental assessments are completed. Nevertheless, the government and Ibama defend that the decision was made after a “rigorous environmental licensing process,” as highlighted by the agency in a recently released statement.
Lula Links Oil Exploration To Energy Transition
Lula also rejected the idea that oil exploration in the Equatorial Margin contradicts Brazil’s decarbonization goals. For him, the country can use the profits generated from oil production to accelerate investment in renewable energies.
“If we are advocating for the protection of forests and want to work to reduce the use of fossil fuels, one way is to use oil money to consolidate the so-called energy transition of planet Earth,” the president affirmed.
The leftist further noted that, in practice, no country is fully prepared to abandon the use of fossil fuels. “It is very easy to talk about the ‘end of fossil fuels,’ but who today has the means to free themselves from fossil fuels? No one does,” he concluded.
Ibama And Petrobras Reinforce Technical Nature Of Authorization
The authorization from Ibama was published on the 20th, after a review process that lasted about five years. The Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, also supported the agency’s stance, emphasizing the importance of strict compliance with environmental regulations.
Petrobras celebrated the release but clarified that there are no plans to begin oil extraction from the Equatorial Margin yet. According to a statement released by the company, the moment is for drilling a well for research, a stage that should last approximately five months.
The president reiterated that the resources obtained from oil will be crucial for the change of Brazil’s energy matrix, gradually reducing dependence on fossil fuels. “We will use this money to create conditions for Brazil to be free from fossil fuel,” he argued.
Lula emphasized that as long as the world still needs oil, Brazil should not forgo this natural wealth. “As long as the world needs it, Brazil will not throw away a wealth that can improve the lives of the Brazilian people,” he concluded.
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