Petrobras requests authorization to take drill ship to Foz do Amazonas Basin

(PN) Petrobras has requested authorization from Ibama to begin moving the ODN II drillship towards the Foz do Amazonas Basin, on the Equatorial Margin. The vessel’s presence in the region is essential for carrying out the so-called Pre-Operational Assessment (APO), which is an oil spill simulation required as part of the environmental licensing process for drilling.

In a letter sent to the environmental agency, the oil company requests a response regarding the transfer of the rig by May 15. According to the document, the ODN-II has been in Guanabara Bay since April 19 to undergo a cleaning process approved by Ibama, with the aim of removing the sun coral — an invasive marine species present on the vessel’s hull.

As a reminder, the APO is the last step before the environmental license is issued for drilling a well in block FZA-M-059, in the Foz do Amazonas Basin. It is important to always emphasize that, despite the name of the basin, the activity will be carried out approximately 500 km from the mouth of the Amazon River. During the APO, Ibama will assess Petrobras’ ability to respond immediately to an accidental event involving an oil spill.

In the letter sent to the federal agency, Petrobras also reiterated its request that Ibama inspect a wildlife protection unit built in Oiapoque (AP), one of the conditions imposed by the agency.