Petrobras obtains Ibama license to begin exploratory research in the Equatorial Margin
Yesterday (20), Petrobras made official the award of one of the environmental licenses most awaited by the national oil and gas sector.
With the approval of the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), the company is authorized to begin oil and gas exploratory research operations in the Equatorial Margin, a strategic region that stretches across northern Brazil and has been regarded as a new global energy frontier.
The operation, located in block FZA-M-059, uses an exploratory drilling rig positioned in deep waters off Amapá, 175 kilometers from the Brazilian coast and approximately 500 kilometers from the mouth of the Amazon River.
According to the official statement, drilling of the first well is expected to take place immediately, with an expected duration of approximately five months in this initial phase.
The objective is to collect detailed geological information and confirm the existence of oil and gas on a commercial scale. It is important to note that, according to Petrobras, “there is no oil production in this phase”.
The environmental licensing, one of the most rigorous in the country, was conducted by Ibama and involved several stages to ensure safety and responsibility.
The process included the preparation of an Environmental Impact Study (EIA/RIMA), three public hearings in affected communities, 65 sectoral technical meetings in 20 different municipalities in Pará and Amapá, as well as thorough inspections of all structures intended for environmental emergency response.
The high point of the process was a comprehensive pre-operational assessment (APO) drill, mobilizing more than 400 professionals to test contingencies and environmental safety protocols.
After an initial denial in 2023, Ibama and Petrobras maintained an intense, technical dialogue, resulting in the review and improvement of strategies, especially in actions aimed at wildlife protection and rapid response to possible environmental incidents. Among the improvements required and implemented by Petrobras is the construction of a new wildlife care center in Oiapoque (AP), which adds to the one already existing in Belém.
Ibama considers these requirements fundamental to the sustainable feasibility of the project, given the exceptional environmental characteristics of the Foz do Amazonas basin.
During the drilling activity, new simulation exercises are planned, always focused on environmental management strategies and protection of local wildlife.
Continuous monitoring and compliance with strict protocols remain central requirements throughout the entire project schedule.
Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard celebrated obtaining the license as a symbol of Brazil's institutional commitment to sustainable development.
She highlighted the continuous dialogue held over five years among the company, governments and environmental agencies, which culminated in the authorization.
According to Chambriard, the process demonstrated “the robustness of the entire environmental protection structure” and reinforced the company's commitment to carrying out safe and qualified operations in the Equatorial Margin, a region with high reserve potential.
The Equatorial Margin has drawn worldwide attention in recent years following highly important oil discoveries off the coasts of Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname.
For Brazil, studies by the Energy Research Company (EPE) project that the potential recoverable volume in the Foz do Amazonas basin could reach 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent, a significant figure especially when compared to the total Brazilian reserves already cataloged by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) 66 billion barrels including proven, probable and possible.
The Equatorial Margin project in Brazil began in 2013, originally under a concession held by the multinational BP, which transferred the area to Petrobras in 2021.
Since then, the development of the block has faced regulatory and environmental challenges, with high costs while awaiting the license, estimated at R$ 4 million per day according to the state-owned company.
Despite its economic potential, the project is the target of criticism from environmental groups, who cite risks to sensitive ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs, and point to a contradiction with global energy transition goals.
Petrobras representatives reiterate that energy development in the Equatorial Margin is a strategic move to avoid dependence on oil imports in the next decade, reinforcing the region's role in national energy security.
The state-owned company also clarifies that, despite the name Foz do Amazonas, operations take place at considerable distances from the river mouth, minimizing direct risks to areas of greatest biodiversity.
The granting of the environmental license marks a new stage for Brazil's industrial and energy development, broadening prospects for suppliers, investment and innovation in the oil and gas chain.
Research in the Equatorial Margin drives opportunities, technical requirements and debate on the balance between development and sustainability, central themes for companies that operate like QLP.
Keep following the QLP portal for updates on the sector, offshore service opportunities and impact analyses for industrial businesses across Brazil.
Official source Agência Brasil https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/geral/noticia/2025-10/petrobras-recebe-licenca-do-ibama-para-perfurar-margem-equatorial