MPF Calls for Suspension and Greater Transparency in Foz do Amazonas Oil Exploration
The MPF urges suspension of seismic research licensing and demands a comprehensive environmental impact analysis for multiple planned oil wells in Foz do Amazonas, citing transparency and environmental concerns.
- • MPF recommends immediate suspension of seismic research licensing in Foz do Amazonas.
- • Petrobras has communicated conflicting plans about the number of wells to be drilled in block FZA-M-59.
- • Environmental impact assessments must consider cumulative effects of multiple wells simultaneously.
- • The MPF challenges the use of 'national sovereignty' arguments given foreign company benefits under the current concession model.
Key details
The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) has issued critical recommendations aimed at stopping ongoing oil exploration activities in the Foz do Amazonas region due to environmental concerns. The MPF has urged the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and Petrobras to immediately suspend licensing for seismic research in the area, highlighting that current environmental impact analyses fail to consider the cumulative effects of multiple wells, thus underestimating socio-environmental risks.
The controversy centers on Petrobras's conflicting communications, which suggest drilling only one well named "Morpho" while updated plans reveal three additional wells — "Marolo," "Manga," and "Maracujá" — scheduled between 2027 and 2029. The MPF emphasizes that licensing wells separately obscures the total environmental impact, especially as simultaneous drilling increases risks such as spills, noise pollution, and higher maritime traffic.
Furthermore, the MPF criticizes the advance of seismic research licensing without adequate primary ecological data, undermining the legitimacy of public consultations on the projects. The prosecutors also challenge the invocation of "national sovereignty" and "energy independence" to fast-track licenses, pointing out that the current concession model ultimately benefits foreign companies, which acquire ownership of extracted oil and gas, rather than ensuring local gains.
To protect communities and the environment, the MPF recommends halting authorization for additional wells until comprehensive studies are completed, requiring joint environmental impact assessments, postponing public consultation deadlines, and updating all communication to accurately reflect the scope of oil exploration.
These actions reveal growing legal and environmental scrutiny around oil development in Foz do Amazonas, a region with significant ecological sensitivity. The MPF's recommendations stress the importance of full transparency and rigorous cumulative impact assessments to safeguard Brazil's biodiversity and social interests.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
