Ibama Authorizes Petrobras to Drill Three Exploratory Wells Off Amapá
The permit lets Petrobras test whether the Morpho discovery can be produced commercially under strict environmental and wildlife safeguards.
Overview
- Ibama's president signed permission for Petrobras to drill three wells named Manga, PAD Morpho and Crotalus in Block FZA-M-59 adjacent to the Morpho discovery.
- The license was paid for by Petrobras and is valid for 120 days with possible extension while the company carries out an exploratory program to assess commercial viability.
- Ibama attached detailed conditions, including plans for pollution control, environmental monitoring, a plan to prevent and control exotic species, and limits on disposal of reservoir and confirmed oil-bearing drill cuttings at sea.
- The agency also requires Petrobras to support manatee care centers, carry out animal translocation and post-release monitoring, and run social communication and environmental education projects for local communities.
- The move advances Petrobras's push into the Margem Equatorial, a frontier region backed by a US$2.5 billion investment plan and recent finds in neighboring Guyana and Suriname that have raised hopes for new long-term oil resources.