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[BUSINESS] · Brazil · 14 sources

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Brazil approves new oil blocks and expands Petrobras drilling licenses

Brazil's National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) has approved the indication of 24 new onshore exploratory blocks in the Potiguar Basin. These areas are eligible for future cycles of the Permanent Offering of Concessions, though they can only be offered after the 6th cycle, scheduled for October 7. Notably, block POT-T-551 in Tabuleiro do Norte, Ceará, has already seen confirmed petroleum presence following a local discovery.

Simultaneously, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) has authorized Petrobras to expand its exploratory drilling in the Foz do Amazonas Basin. The license allows for three additional wells in the FZA-M-59 block, bringing the total campaign to four wells. Petrobras is required to submit an updated activity plan to Ibama within 30 days.

The expansion in the Foz do Amazonas region has drawn scrutiny from the Federal Public Ministry (MPF), which noted discrepancies between Ibama's previous statements regarding the project's duration and current administrative documents. Environmental concerns remain high due to the region's sensitivity, while Petrobras aims to determine if the area holds commercially viable reserves that could begin production within seven years.

Entities

ANP · Amazon River Mouth · Equatorial Margin · Federal Public Ministry · Foz do Amazonas · IBAMA · Petrobras · Potiguar Basin

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24 days ago