Lula defends oil exploration in Foz do Amazonas to finance energy transition

President Luiz Inácio da Silva publicly defended oil exploration in the Equatorial Margin, more specifically in , as a way of financing the country’s energy transition. The statement was made in response to questions about the studies being carried out in the region, which stretches from the coast of Amapá to Rio Grande do Norte.

The president’s position has generated strong criticism from environmentalists. The main fear is that drilling activity will put local fauna and flora at risk, highly sensitive ecosystems that are still little known. Activists argue that Petrobras would not be able to contain a possible large oil spill, which could cause unprecedented environmental damage to Brazil.

In his defense, Lula stated that Petrobras has all the necessary infrastructure and technical equipment to prevent leaks and mitigate any environmental damage. “It is possibly the company with the most expertise in prospecting for oil in deep waters without any damage,” declared the president.

Lula highlighted that the authorization granted by Ibama is for the research phase and that oil extraction, if viability is confirmed, will depend on new licenses. “Between doing the research and having the oil, it takes a long time, because you need new licenses to be able to do things,” he explained.

The president argued that financial resources from the exploration of what has been called “Amazon pre-salt” would be essential to drive change in the Brazilian energy matrix. “One of the ways I have said is that we have to use oil money to consolidate the so-called energy transition on planet Earth”, he concluded.

The expectation is that Petrobras’ studies in the region will last around five months. Only after this phase will it be possible to analyze the viability of oil extraction in Foz do Amazonas.

*With information from Igor Damasceno

*Report produced with the help of AI