Overview

• Ibama’s Oct. 14 ofício cited pending uncertainties in Petrobras’ emergency-response and fauna-care documents, following revisions submitted on Sept. 26.
• The agency proposed a meeting on Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. to clarify the points and advance the final steps toward issuing the operating license.
• Petrobras said it will provide all requested explanations, hold technical sessions this week, and remains confident the license will be issued soon.
• Petrobras’ president warned the drillship contract runs through Oct. 21 and that failing to start drilling by then could lead to the rig’s removal and a licensing restart if a new unit is used.
• The latest-generation drillship is described as scarce and costs about R$4.2 million per day, adding financial and scheduling pressure to keep it on location.