Brazil greenlights oil drilling in Amazon as environmentalists raise alarm

"Brazil's Petrobras has been given permission to drill for oil near the mouth of the Amazon River, casting a shadow over the country's green ambitions as it prepares to host UN climate talks. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the president, has come under fire from conservationists who argue his oil expansion plans clash with his image as a global leader on climate change. Brazil will host Cop30 climate talks in the Amazon city of Belem next month."

"Petrobras said drilling in the Foz de Amazonas region will begin immediately and will last for five months, after its five-year battle to get permission to explore the area. Petrobras met all the requirements established by (environmental watchdog) Ibama, fully complying with the environmental licensing process, the oil giant said in a statement sent to AFP. We hope to obtain excellent results from this research and prove the existence of oil in the Brazilian portion of this new global energy frontier, said Magda Chambriard, president of Petrobras."

"The company will drill an exploratory well at an offshore site that lies 500km (310 miles) from the mouth of the Amazon River at a depth of more than 2,800 meters (9,200ft). The drilling of Block 59 which is 160 km from the coastline has been a passion project for Lula, who insists oil revenues will help fund Brazil's climate transition. Environmentalists have raised alarm about drilling for oil off the coast of the world's largest tropical rainforest, a biodiverse area that is home to several Indigenous communities."

Petrobras obtained permission to drill in the Foz de Amazonas region and will begin a five-month exploratory operation after a five-year licensing effort. The offshore well lies roughly 500 km from the Amazon mouth at depths exceeding 2,800 meters and targets Block 59, about 160 km from the coastline. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva supports the project, arguing that oil revenues will finance Brazil's climate transition. Environmentalists and Indigenous communities warn of risks to biodiversity, climate, and social rights and plan legal challenges citing alleged illegalities and technical flaws in the licensing process.

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