Ibama maintains veto on Petrobras oil drilling in Amazon Equatorial Margin

Technical staff at Ibama have issued a report indicating there are insufficient elements to overturn the previous denial of Petrobras' request for offshore drilling in a block within the Amazon Equatorial Margin.

The decision maintains the agency's initial stance from May of last year regarding exploration near the mouth of the Amazon River. While Petrobras has requested information regarding a proposed base in the region, the environmental agency remains concerned about the sensitivity of the local biodiversity to potential contamination.

The issue has caused internal friction within the Brazilian government. The Ministry of Mines and Energy advocates for exploration to secure significant national revenue, whereas environmental authorities prioritize ecological protection. This debate poses potential challenges to the administration's international climate commitments.