Petrobras changed the route of flights transporting support and drilling teams for the first well in the Foz do Amazonas Basin, off the coast of Oiapoque (AP). The state-owned company reported that the trips, previously carried out through Belém (PA), were now based in the capital of Amapá, Macapá, between October 26th and November 30th, a period that coincides with COP30. The information is from the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo.
The official justification is logistical. In a note sent to the newspaper, Petrobras stated that the definition of the routes “is not related to COP30”, and that the planning considers factors such as “transport mode, network optimization and contractual strategies”.
However, the change prevents air operations in the capital of Pará precisely during the UN climate event, which takes place between November 10th and 21st, and will have preparatory meetings on the 6th and 7th.
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The change was communicated to employees and service providers involved in the drilling of block 59, authorized by Ibama (Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) on October 20.
The drilling, conducted by the NS-42 probe, aims to verify the presence and extent of oil reserves 160 km off the Amazon coast.
Azul Linhas Aéreas, responsible for charter flights, confirmed the change in routes and highlighted that the transport is exclusively for Petrobras passengers. “All changes are previously agreed with the customer and are provided for in the contract,” the company told Sheet.
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According to records from Anac (National Civil Aviation Agency), four flights — two to Oiapoque and two to Oiapoque — began operating in October, and, in November, routes departing from Macapá predominated.
Exploration in focus
Drilling at Foz do Amazonas takes place amid international criticism. The project is seen as contradictory to the commitments made at COP28, in Dubai, when countries agreed to advance the energy transition and gradually reduce the use of fossil fuels.
In Oiapoque, Petrobras maintains a logistics base for air transport and technical support for operations. The local airport began to receive offices and intense helicopter movement.
According to local managers, the expectation of oil exploration has caused an increase in irregular occupations in areas close to the aerodrome and the city’s port.
With 180 professionals on board the NS-42 probe, Petrobras states that the project follows all environmental and safety standards. The state-owned company maintains that the exploration “is compatible with the energy transition and the need for national supply security”.
