Equatorial Margin: new step

Petrobras and Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis – Ibama have reached an agreement to soon carry out a Pre-Operational Assessment (APO) in the Foz do Amazonas Basin, specifically in block FZA-M-59, off the coast of Amapá. This exercise is a simulated emergency designed to test oil spill response protocols, including wildlife protection measures and is expected to take place on August 24.

Planned to last three to four days, Petrobras’ performance in this simulation will be a decisive factor in obtaining the environmental license required to drill the exploratory well, a process the company has pursued for years, facing regulatory resistance.

According to Petrobras’ Director of Exploration and Production, Sylvia dos Anjos, technical teams from both institutions met this week to finalize the simulation details. While the official start date of the APO still awaits IBAMA’s confirmation, the tone is optimistic. “We are closer than we were before. I’m optimistic,” she said during an industry event in Rio de Janeiro.

The upcoming APO will be a key moment not just for Petrobras, but for Brazil’s offshore exploration roadmap. If successful, it could unlock a new frontier in the Foz do Amazonas Basin, opening opportunities for the supply chain and reinforcing Brazil’s position in the global energy market.

Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies.