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Company Completes Wildlife Rescue Center and Awaits Decision from Ibama on Drilling in the Equatorial Margin
Petrobras has completed the construction of a wildlife rescue center in Oiapoque, in the state of Amapá. The facility meets one of the requirements of the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) in the environmental licensing process for the drilling of a well in the Mouth of the Amazon Basin.
The operation license for the center has already been granted by the environmental authorities of Amapá. However, Petrobras is still awaiting the final inspection from Ibama for drilling to occur.
The Mouth of the Amazon Basin, located in the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, shares geological characteristics with neighboring regions in Guyana, where companies like Exxon Mobil have made significant discoveries. For this reason, the area is considered to have great potential for the oil and gas sector in Brazil.
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Licensing Stages Continue to Be Analyzed
According to the Bloomberg Línea website, licensing in the region has faced greater scrutiny since May 2023, when Ibama denied Petrobras’ initial request, citing socio-environmental risks. Since then, the company has been complying with new technical and environmental requirements, such as the implementation of the wildlife rescue center.
According to Reuters, in March 2025, Ibama authorized Petrobras to remove invasive corals from the hull of the operational vessel. This measure aims to avoid environmental impacts during the transport of the drilling rig to the Mouth of the Amazon area.
Petrobras has contracted the vessel until October 2025. The daily cost of chartering the drilling rig is around US$ 400,000, and the accumulated investment in the project has already surpassed R$ 1 billion. If the license is not granted by the end of April 2025, the company may need to reassess the logistical schedule of the operation.
Exploration Raises Debate on Risks and Benefits
Oil exploration in the Mouth of the Amazon region generates divergent opinions. While Petrobras argues that drilling will expand its reserves and strengthen energy security, environmentalists warn about the ecological complexity of the region.
Researchers point out that the Equatorial Margin harbors significant biodiversity, with poorly studied areas sensitive to interventions. Therefore, any activity in the region requires rigorous preventive measures aligned with the best international sustainability practices.
At the same time, local representatives highlight, for example, the potential for job creation and tax revenue for the state of Amapá. Still, the project’s approval depends, however, on the technical assessment by Ibama. The agency is therefore analyzing the impacts of drilling both on the marine environment and on coastal communities to ensure socio-environmental protection.
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