The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) reported this Friday (24) that it filed an appeal with the Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region (TRF-1) against the decision that maintained the result of the auction of oil exploration blocks in the Foz do Amazonas Basin and the granting of a research license for possible exploration.
Last Monday (20), Petrobras obtained the license from the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) to begin the exploratory research operation in the Equatorial Margin.
According to the MPF, the auctions that preceded the authorization process for the exploration license require the Climate Impact Study (EIC), the Environmental Assessment of Sedimentary Areas (AAAS), in addition to prior consultation with indigenous communities.
“The MPF argues that the absence of studies and consultation in the pre-bidding phase is a serious offense to the legal system and the international commitments assumed by Brazil,” stated the body.
According to Petrobras, the exploratory probe is located in the FZA-M-059 block region and drilling is expected to begin “immediately”. The well is located in deep waters off Amapá, 175 kilometers from the coast and 500 kilometers from the mouth of the Amazon River.
Drilling in this initial phase is estimated to last five months, according to the company. During this period, the company seeks to obtain more geological information and assess whether there is oil and gas in the area on an economic scale. “There is no oil production at this stage,” Petrobras stressed in a statement.
