Ibama’s technical staff has advised against granting Petrobras permission to drill in the environmentally sensitive Foz do Amazonas region. While the final decision rests with President Rodrigo Agostinho, the agency is under pressure from President Lula da Silva. Concerns over wildlife safety and an insufficient spill response plan contributed to this recommendation. An earlier license request by Petrobras has already been denied due to environmental considerations.
Brazil’s environmental agency Ibama’s technical staff has recommended that authorization be denied for Petrobras to conduct drilling in the ecologically sensitive Foz do Amazonas region. This decision will ultimately be determined by Ibama’s President, Rodrigo Agostinho. This recommendation comes amidst pressure from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who criticized Ibama for its perceived resistance to government policies regarding drilling licenses.
The rationale behind Ibama’s recommendation includes the inadequate modifications in Petrobras’ spill response plan to protect local wildlife. In May 2023, Ibama previously refused Petrobras’ request for an offshore drilling license in the same region, citing environmental concerns. A pending appeal from the oil company awaits a final decision from Ibama.
The targeted offshore drilling site lies in Brazil’s Equatorial Margin, a region noted for its substantial oil potential, which has similar geological characteristics to areas in Guyana where Exxon Mobil is currently pursuing significant oil field developments.
In summary, Ibama’s recommendation to refuse drilling authorization for Petrobras underscores the ongoing tensions between environmental conservation and governmental projects in Brazil. The agency’s decision, influenced by ecological concerns regarding local wildlife safety, is compounded by political pressure from the President. The outcome of this situation remains uncertain as the final verdict awaits Ibama’s leadership amidst strong industry interests.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
