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:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

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
TotalEnergies confirms imminent investment decision for new LNG train in Texas
Germany urges European Union for more flexibility on 2035 combustion car ban
AquaVentus and Hydrogen Scotland partner on North Sea hydrogen production corridor
US crude oil stocks rise by 3.9 million barrels
EQT signs 20-year deal for 1 Mtpa LNG with Commonwealth LNG
Oil and gas to remain dominant in global energy mix through 2050
Faced with rising global electricity demand, energy sector leaders are backing an "all-of-the-above" strategy, with oil and gas still expected to supply 50% of global needs by 2050.
UK sanctions 70 tankers to reinforce Russian oil price cap
London has expanded its sanctions against Russia by blacklisting 70 new tankers, striking at the core of Moscow's energy exports and budget revenues.
Iraq and Oman in talks to build new oil pipeline to secure exports to Asia
Iraq is negotiating with Oman to build a pipeline linking Basrah to Omani shores to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz and stabilise crude exports to Asia.
Vallourec signs $1bn contract with Petrobras for Brazilian offshore operations
French steel tube manufacturer Vallourec has secured a strategic agreement with Petrobras, covering complete offshore well solutions from 2026 to 2029.
IEA warns of 3.3 million barrel oil surplus in 2026
Increased output from Opec+ and non-member producers is expected to create a global oil surplus as early as 2025, putting pressure on crude prices, according to the International Energy Agency.
Petrobras takes 27.5% stake in Block 4 offshore São Tomé with Shell and Galp
The Brazilian company expands its African footprint with a new offshore exploration stake, partnering with Shell and Galp to develop São Tomé and Príncipe’s Block 4.
Drone strikes major Bachneft refinery in Ufa, fire breaks out
A drone attack on a Bachneft oil facility in Ufa sparked a fire with no casualties, temporarily disrupting activity at one of Russia’s largest refineries.
Transatlantic rift over Russian oil reduces Indian volumes in October
The divide between the United States and the European Union over regulations on Russian oil exports to India is causing a drop in scheduled deliveries, as negotiation margins tighten between buyers and sellers.
Russia increases oil exports from western ports by 11% in September
Russia plans to ship 2.1 million barrels per day from its western ports in September, revising exports upward amid lower domestic demand following drone attacks on key refineries.
QatarEnergy secures offshore exploration licence in Congo
QatarEnergy obtained a 35% stake in the Nzombo block, located in deep waters off Congo, under a production sharing contract signed with the Congolese government.
Phillips 66 takes full control of two US refineries for $1.4bn
Phillips 66 acquires Cenovus Energy’s remaining 50% in WRB Refining, strengthening its US market position with two major sites totalling 495,000 barrels per day.
Union strike threatens fuel deliveries from Dangote refinery
Nigeria’s two main oil unions have halted loadings at the Dangote refinery, contesting the rollout of a private logistics fleet that could reshape the sector’s balance.
ReconAfrica secures offshore block in Gabon with production sharing contract
Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. enters Gabonese offshore with a strategic contract on the Ngulu block, expanding its portfolio with immediate production potential and long-term development opportunities.
BW Energy raises $365mn for Maromba FPSO and secures drilling rig
BW Energy has finalised a $365mn financing for the conversion of the Maromba FPSO offshore Brazil and signed a short-term lease for a drilling rig with Minsheng Financial Leasing.
Vantage Drilling signs 260-day contract for the Platinum Explorer
Vantage Drilling has finalised a major commercial agreement for the deployment of the Platinum Explorer, with a 260-day offshore mission starting in Q1 2026.
Permex signs agreement for potential $25mn funding with Chisos
Permex Petroleum has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Chisos Ltd. for potential funding of up to $25mn to develop its oil assets in the Permian Basin.
OPEC+ approves 137,000 barrels/day increase starting in October
OPEC+ begins a new phase of gradual production increases, starting to lift 1.65 million barrels/day of voluntary cuts after the early conclusion of a 2.2 million barrels/day phaseout.
Imperial Petroleum invests in seven vessels despite a 22.8% drop in revenue
Imperial Petroleum expanded its fleet to 19 vessels in the second quarter of 2025, while reporting a decline in revenue due to lower rates in the maritime oil market.
OPEC+ prepares for decisive debate on quotas amid surplus risk
Eight OPEC+ members will meet to adjust their quotas as forecasts point to a global surplus of 3 million barrels per day by year-end.
Greek shipowners cut Russian crude links under new compliance rules
Greek shipping companies are gradually withdrawing from transporting Russian crude as the European Union tightens compliance conditions on price caps.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.