SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Petrobras builds wildlife centre to secure drilling permit in Brazil

Petrobras has completed a veterinary facility in the Amazon to meet a regulatory requirement for drilling in the strategic Foz do Amazonas region.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all the latest energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

For less than €3/week*

*For an annual commitment

*Engagement annuel à seulement 99 € (au lieu de 149 €), offre valable jusqu'au 30/07/2025 minuit.

SUBSCRIBE

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) has finalised the construction of a veterinary centre in the municipality of Oiapoque, in the state of Amapá, within the Brazilian Amazon. This initiative meets a condition set by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) for obtaining an offshore drilling permit in the Foz do Amazonas region. Now operational, the facility is designed to care for wildlife in the event of an oil spill and represents a central element of Petrobras’ renewed permit application.

A strategic move to revive the project

The centre has received an operating licence from the state of Amapá, but remains subject to evaluation by Ibama before any final decision is made. It is open for inspection, marking a critical step in Petrobras’ effort to resume exploration activities in this offshore area considered highly promising. Located approximately 540 kilometres off the coast of Amapá, the Foz do Amazonas region lies on the equatorial margin, near Suriname and Guyana. These neighbouring countries have collectively reported oil discoveries exceeding 11 billion barrels, sparking interest in the adjacent Brazilian area.

Environmental objections and renewed application

Petrobras’ initial request for a drilling licence was denied by Ibama in 2023 due to concerns over the region’s fragile ecosystems. However, the company has resubmitted its application, highlighting enhanced safety measures including the wildlife centre, in a bid to satisfy regulatory requirements. No timeline has been provided for Ibama’s final decision, leaving the project in regulatory limbo.

Equipment mobilisation and preliminary tests

Meanwhile, Petrobras plans to move its drilling rig to the FAZ-M-59 block once regulatory clearance is granted. The company will then carry out a pre-operational assessment to demonstrate the effectiveness of its emergency response systems. This phase is essential before Ibama can issue any definitive authorisation. The project’s progression now hinges on the technical review of the facility and Petrobras’ compliance with Brazilian environmental standards.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
An Elliott affiliate raises bid to $8.82bn for Citgo’s parent company
Funds Push European Carbon Positions to Highest Since April
Forestalia signs 10-year contract with Galp to refinance wind farm
Boralex reports a decline in EBITDA in Q2 despite increased production
Valmet signs a national agreement to provide valve services to Petrobras
Dangote secures $4 billion syndicated refinancing led by Afreximbank
Afreximbank leads a syndicated financing for the Dangote refinery, including $1.35 billion of its own contribution, to ease debt and stabilise operations at the Nigerian oil complex.
ADNOC L&S Defies Maritime Turbulence with Record Second Quarter Results
The Emirati logistics giant posts 40% revenue growth despite depressed maritime freight rates, driven by Navig8 integration and strategic fleet expansion.
ConocoPhillips raises asset disposals to $5 bn and adjusts its financial strategy
ConocoPhillips targets $5 bn in asset disposals by 2026 and announces new financial adjustments as production rises but profit declines in the second quarter of 2025.
Pakistan Refinery purchases Nigerian Bonny Light from Vitol for the first time
Pakistan Refinery Limited is preparing to import Bonny Light crude oil from Nigeria for the first time, reflecting the expansion of Asian refiners’ commercial partnerships amid rising regional costs.
Frontera Energy sells its stake in two Ecuadorian oil blocks for $7.8mn
Frontera Energy Corporation confirms the divestment of its interest in the Perico and Espejo oil blocks in Ecuador, signalling a strategic refocus on its operations in Colombia.
Gran Tierra invests USD15.55mn to strengthen its oil presence in Ecuador
Gran Tierra Energy confirms a major asset acquisition in Ecuador’s Oriente Basin for USD15.55mn, aiming to expand its exploration and production activities across the Andean region.
Mexico launches major public investment plan to revive Pemex and the oil industry
The Mexican government unveils an ambitious public support strategy for Petróleos Mexicanos, targeting 1.8 million barrels per day, infrastructure modernisation, and settlement of supplier debt amounting to $12.8 billion.
Kazakhstan ships 85,000 tonnes of crude oil to Hungary via Croatia for the first time
KazMunayGas has completed its first delivery of 85,000 tonnes of crude oil to Hungary, using maritime transport through the Croatian port of Omisalj as part of a broader export strategy to the European Union.
Tullow accelerates debt reduction with divestment of assets in Gabon and Kenya
Tullow marks a strategic milestone in 2025 with the sale of its subsidiaries in Gabon and Kenya, the extension of its Ghanaian licences, and the optimisation of its financial structure.
SABIC restructures portfolio amid global petrochemical overcapacity
Saudi giant accelerates transformation with $500 million capex reduction and European asset closures while maintaining strategic projects in Asia.
Japanese refiners face critical challenge of Middle Eastern oil dependency
Record Gulf crude imports expose structural vulnerabilities of Japanese refining amid rising geopolitical tensions and Asian competition.
Diamondback Energy reports $699mn net income and intensifies share buybacks in Q2 2025
Diamondback Energy posted a $699mn net income for the second quarter of 2025 and accelerated its share repurchase programme, supported by record production and an upward revision of its annual guidance.
Transocean reports a net loss of $938mn in the second quarter despite revenue growth
Swiss group Transocean reported a net loss of $938mn for the second quarter 2025, impacted by asset impairments, while revenue rose to $988mn thanks to improved rig utilisation.
bp accelerates maintenance and production with Argos extension in the Gulf of America
The rapid commissioning of bp’s Argos Southwest extension in the Gulf of America strengthens maintenance capabilities and optimises offshore oil production performance.
OPEC+ Accelerates Production Hikes Amid Shifting Oil Market Dynamics
Eight OPEC+ countries boost output by 547,000 barrels per day in September, completing their increase program twelve months early as Chinese demand plateaus.
India rejects Trump’s tariff threats over Russian oil purchases
New Delhi calls US sanctions unjustified and denounces double standard as Trump threatens to substantially increase tariffs.
BP increases net profit to $1.63 bn in the second quarter and launches share buyback
BP posts a net profit of $1.63 bn in the second quarter 2025, driven by operational performance, an operating cash flow of $6.3 bn and a new $750 mn share buyback programme.
Aramco maintains resilience with $24.5 billion profits in second quarter 2025
The Saudi oil giant posts solid results despite falling oil prices. The company pays $21.3 billion in dividends and advances its strategic projects.
Dangote entrusts refinery expansion to former Shell executive
Dangote Group appoints David Bird, former Shell executive, as head of its Refining and Petrochemicals division to accelerate regional growth and open up equity to Nigerian investors.
Indian Oil Corp acquires 7 mn barrels from the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates
Faced with falling discounts on Russian oil, Indian Oil Corp is purchasing large volumes from the United States, Canada and Abu Dhabi for September, shifting its usual sourcing strategy.
Consent Preferences