Brazil’s state-run oil company Petrobras has secured approval from the country’s environmental regulator, Ibama, to begin exploratory drilling in the Equatorial Margin. The area, located off the northern coast, is considered one of Brazil’s most promising oil frontiers, according to Agência Brasil.
Drilling to begin immediately in Amapá waters
The new license allows Petrobras to start operations in Block FZA-M-059, about 175 kilometers from Amapá’s coast and nearly 500 kilometers from the mouth of the Amazon River. The company said drilling will begin immediately and should last five months. During this stage, Petrobras will collect geological data to confirm whether oil and gas reserves exist in commercially viable quantities.
Ibama explained that the approval followed a rigorous process, including environmental studies, public hearings, and inspections in more than 20 municipalities in Pará and Amapá. Officials also conducted emergency response simulations involving over 400 participants to ensure safety and wildlife protection.
Petrobras calls the decision a milestone for Brazil
Petrobras stated that it met all of Ibama’s environmental requirements. Company president Magda Chambriard called the authorization “a victory for Brazilian society.” She said it reflects the strength of national institutions and their commitment to responsible development. Chambriard emphasized that the company will act with “safety, responsibility, and technical excellence” as it seeks to confirm new oil reserves in the region.
The Equatorial Margin extends from Rio Grande do Norte to Amapá. The area has attracted international attention after discoveries in nearby countries such as Guyana and Suriname revealed major oil potential. Brazil now hopes to replicate that success and reinforce its energy independence.
Environmental concerns remain
The new license reverses Ibama’s 2023 decision that blocked Petrobras from drilling in the same area. After technical revisions and new safeguards, including the creation of a second wildlife rescue center in Oiapoque, the agency granted the permit. Petrobras argued that delays were costing about 4 million reais per day in idle expenses.
The approval has faced criticism from environmental groups, who warn that drilling could harm marine ecosystems and undermine Brazil’s climate goals. Petrobras insists that the site lies hundreds of kilometers from the Amazon River and is vital to secure future oil supply.
A study by Brazil’s Energy Research Company estimates the basin could hold up to 10 billion barrels of recoverable oil equivalent. The company’s announcement marks the beginning of what may become Brazil’s most significant offshore exploration effort since the pre-salt era.