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Petrobras Plans Oil Production Near Amazon Mouth Within Seven Years Amid Environmental Concerns

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Petrobras anticipates starting oil production near the Amazon River's mouth within seven years, according to company president Magda Chambriard.
  • The discovery, located 175 kilometers off the coast of Amapá state in ultra-deep waters, is considered highly significant for Brazil's role in the global oil market.
  • While Petrobras emphasizes safe and environmentally conscious exploration, environmental groups like Greenpeace and WWF have warned of severe risks to the biologically rich Amazon estuary region.

State-controlled Brazilian oil company Petrobras expects to begin oil production near the mouth of the Amazon River within seven years, announced company president Magda Chambriard. The discovery, located approximately 175 kilometers off the coast of Amapá state in ultra-deep waters, is considered "absolutely relevant" for maintaining Brazil's geopolitical importance in the oil sector over the next decade.

absolutely relevant

— Magda ChambriardPetrobras president Magda Chambriard described the significance of the oil discovery for Brazil's global standing in the petroleum industry.

Chambriard estimated that oil production in the ultra-deep waters of Amapá could commence in six to seven years. The well where oil and gas were detected is 100% operated by Petrobras and is situated in the Equatorial Margin region, an area also explored by neighboring Guyana and Suriname. Petrobras confirmed the find within Brazilian territory through "electrical logs and rock indications," and drilling operations at the 'Morpho' well are ongoing to ensure safe exploration while respecting the environment and local communities.

the evaluation exploratory, safely and respecting the environment and people.

— PetrobrasPetrobras stated its commitment to conducting exploration operations responsibly.

The exploration in the sedimentary basin near the Amazon's mouth aligns with Petrobras' strategy to replenish its oil and gas reserves and meet national energy demand during the energy transition. The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva supports Petrobras' activities in the region, which received approval from the Brazilian Institute of Environment (Ibama) in October 2025.

recompose its oil and gas reserves

— PetrobrasPetrobras outlined its strategic objective for exploration activities.

However, environmental organizations, including Greenpeace and WWF, have raised serious concerns about the potential socio-environmental risks associated with oil exploitation in marine fields near the Amazon estuary. This region is recognized for its high biological value, and environmental groups warn of significant dangers should exploitation proceed.

meet the national energy demand during the energy transition

— PetrobrasPetrobras explained the purpose of replenishing its energy reserves.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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