Overview

• Ibama’s technical team of 16 evaluators approved Petrobras’ Avaliação Pré-Operacional on September 24, advancing the FZA‑M‑59 project to the final licensing stage.
• The agency flagged differences in vessel positioning versus prior studies and shortcomings in planned wildlife response, and it ordered a new fauna exercise.
• Petrobras said it will submit the requested adjustments to the fauna plan and emergency procedures by Friday, September 26.
• The in‑situ exercise in late August simulated an offshore oil spill, a Blowout Preventer failure, and ROV inspection, mobilizing more than 400 personnel with multiple vessels and aircraft.
• The environmental license to drill the exploratory well about 175 km off Oiapoque remains pending, as political support from key officials meets continued calls for caution from scientists and environmental groups, with estimates of up to 10 billion barrels at stake.