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State-Owned Company Completes Final Step Requested by Ibama and Reinforces Environmental Safety Measures for Operations in the Equatorial Margin
Petrobras informed that it has completed, at the end of March 2025, all requirements for obtaining the environmental license Equatorial Margin, including the installation of the depetrolization base. This requirement dealt with the implementation of a depetrolization base in Oiapoque, Amapá, necessary for the structuring of preventive measures in the event of environmental incidents. In light of this, the company is awaiting authorization from Ibama to begin drilling exploratory wells in the Equatorial Margin, a region that encompasses part of the northern and northeastern Brazilian coast. According to Petrobras, studies indicate that the area may contain up to 9 billion recoverable barrels of oil, although this number still depends on confirmation from future drilling.
Technical Stage Was Completed in March 2025
The company’s president, Magda Chambriard, declared on March 27, 2025, that the team completed the installation of the base in Oiapoque according to the technical criteria requested. In other words, the requirement consisted of the construction and activation of a strategic structure for responding to environmental emergencies. The responsible team conducted a pre-operational exercise, in addition to preparing the physical structure, to test the systems for responding to spills and incidents at sea. Petrobras asserts that all technical stages have been documented and submitted within the timeframe set by Ibama.
Individual Emergency Plan Was Submitted with Specific Measures
In parallel with the installation of the base, the company also presented the Individual Emergency Plan (PEI) to Ibama, regarded as the most comprehensive document ever developed by the state-owned company. The document details the planned actions for containing incidents in deep waters, focusing on prevention and mitigation of environmental damages. The Petrobras team elaborated the plan according to international requirements, sizing technical and human resources to ensure an immediate response. The state-owned company presented this stage at a press conference on May 8, 2025, as reported by outlets such as Poder360 and Agência Brasil.
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Technical Dialogue with Ibama Is Maintained Throughout the Process
On May 8, 2025, Clarice Coppetti, Director of Corporate Affairs at Petrobras, stated to CNN Brasil that Petrobras has maintained a constant and transparent dialogue with Ibama since the beginning of the licensing process. All technical and operational documents have been submitted, reviewed, and delivered within the established deadlines. The state-owned company believes it is fully compliant with legal and technical requirements, awaiting only the final technical evaluation from the environmental agency.
Equatorial Margin Is Considered a New Frontier for Exploration in Brazil
The environmental license area of the Equatorial Margin, which stretches from Rio Grande do Norte to Amapá, has drawn attention from the industry due to its energy potential. Being close to the mouth of the Amazon River, the region requires specific environmental care, which has made the licensing process more rigorous. Petrobras conducted all studies following strict technical standards and planned activities to respect the environmental limits of the region. Magda Chambriard emphasized in an interview with Agência Brasil that the project could economically benefit the North of the country, provided it is authorized by the authorities.
Project Still Depends on Final Environmental Authorization
According to Petrobras’ presidency, the environmental license is the final step necessary to begin exploratory drilling. The state-owned company stated that it is ready to start work as soon as Ibama grants the authorization. The responsible agency is expected to announce its decision in the coming weeks. Petrobras reaffirms that it will continue to provide all requested technical information to ensure complete transparency in the process.
Highlights of the Process So Far
The team installed the depetrolization base in Oiapoque (AP) and completed the pre-operational exercise in March 2025. The Individual Emergency Plan was submitted with specific measures. The dialogue with Ibama is ongoing. The responsible authority is expected to announce the decision regarding the environmental license in the coming days.
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