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Prates highlights the importance of Petrobras in the country's economic and environmental scenario, and its responsibility to balance oil exploration with environmental preservation and safety measures.
In a joint public hearing in the Senate, the president of Petrobras, Jean Paul Prates, addressed crucial issues related to the oil exploration near the coast of Amapá, in the region of Foz do Amazonas. The event, held last Wednesday (16/08), brought together the Infrastructure, Regional Development and Tourism commissions. Prates emphasized the importance of understanding the situation comprehensively, ruling out exacerbations and misunderstandings.
See the full public hearing and speeches by the president of Petrobras
Jean Paul Prates explains that oil exploration in the region is nothing new and highlights Petrobras' history
The president of Petrobras refuted the idea that the company was starting new oil production in the region.
He explained that there is already considerable activity taking place, with oil being transported daily up the Amazon River to the Manaus refinery.
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As an example, Prates highlighted the Urucu Complex, which has operated in the Amazon since 1986, demonstrating that oil exploration in the region is not new.
Prates also highlighted the issue of risks. Among the various oil explorations in the region, he argued that drilling near the coast of Amapá is the least risky.
The president of Petrobras justified his position, pointing out that this activity has the least potential to cause environmental damage and offers more conditions to generate revenue for both the government and the local population.
He mentioned Petrobras' history with regard to accidents and leaks, noting that the company maintains a low rate of these incidents.
However, Prates also admitted that, although it is a remote possibility, the spill is an eventuality present in oil production.
Debate on energy transition and investment in oil marks the audience of the president of Petrobras
As for the specific location of the exploration, Prates pointed out that the area to be drilled is 170 km from the coast of Amapá and 580 km from the mouth of the Amazon.
He clarified that, even in the licensing process, the remote probability of any spilled oil reaching the coast is declared, due to sea currents and winds that would direct any leak away from the region.
The president of Petrobras emphasized the difference between the environmental license requested by the company, aimed at determining the feasibility of discovering oil, and a future license for oil production.
He explained that, if oil reserves are discovered in the region, an economic analysis will be necessary to assess their commercial viability.
This includes building infrastructure for large-scale production, a process that can take five to eight years.
In addition, Prates defended the idea that oil exploration should finance the energy transition.
He disagreed with the international movement “Just Stop Oil”, which preaches the prohibition of new tenders for oil exploration as a way of accelerating the transition to more sustainable energy sources.
Prates argued that the energy transition is a gradual process and that oil exploration is still necessary to sustain this transition.
Jean Paul Prates also participated in a public hearing at the Senate Inspection and Control Commission (CTFC), where he discussed the environmental damage caused by the Braskem petrochemicals in Maceió.
Petrobras has a significant stake in the company, holding 36,1% of the total capital and 47% of the voting capital.
