Petrobras' test on the Equatorial Margin should end this Wednesday.
Emergency simulation off the coast of Amapá could define the future of oil exploration in the region, according to Ibama's evaluation.
247 - Petrobras is expected to conclude this Wednesday (27) the Pre-Operational Assessment (APO) carried out in the so-called Equatorial Margin, in Amapá. The simulation is the last stage of safety tests before the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) decides whether or not to release the license for drilling the first well in the area. The agency had already denied authorization in 2023, but the state-owned company submitted a new request, including additional environmental protection measures. The information is from the newspaper The Globe.
Since Sunday (24), at 18:10 pm, the company has been conducting a series of simulations to evaluate the efficiency of its structure in case of accidents. The process involves verifying the operation of the equipment, the capacity to rescue affected wildlife, communication with local authorities and the team's reaction to emergency situations.
The exercise included simulating an oil spill, a BOP (well operating valve) failure, and the use of an ROV (remotely operated underwater robot) for monitoring. The operation mobilized approximately 400 professionals, with support from 13 vessels and three aircraft. The test site is located 175 kilometers off the coast of Amapá and more than 500 kilometers from the mouth of the Amazon River.
According to a source connected to APO, all planned procedures are being executed according to schedule. In addition to the maritime and air infrastructure, the operation includes two Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation Centers, located in Oiapoque (AP) and Belém (PA), prepared to care for birds, turtles, and marine mammals such as dolphins and manatees. These facilities function as veterinary hospitals, with outpatient clinics, stabilization areas, and a surgical center.
The state-owned company claims that the distance of the drilling point from the coast reduces the risks of direct impact on sensitive ecosystems. According to modeling studies, there is no possibility of the oil reaching the shoreline in the event of an accident.
If the tests are completed without incident, Ibama's analysis could be expedited. A similar process occurred in 2023 in the Potiguar Basin (RN), when the environmental license was issued shortly after the simulation.
Petrobras President Magda Chambriard considers the granting of the license one of the current administration's priorities. Exploration in the Equatorial Margin is seen as strategic to compensate for the future decline in pre-salt production in the Southeast region. The area, which extends from Amapá to Rio Grande do Norte, is considered a new oil frontier for Brazil.
Despite expectations, the project faces opposition within Ibama itself. In May 2023, the institute denied the license to drill the well and, months later, a group of 26 technicians again recommended rejection. Even so, the agency's board decided to grant Petrobras more time to respond to the questions before making a final decision.
