Ibama Approves Pre-Operational Assessment (APO) Conducted by Petrobras in Amapá

Sept. 24 – Petrobras received approval from Ibama on Wednesday, September 24th, for the Pre-Operational Assessment (APO), the emergency response simulation conducted by the company in August of this year, as the final stage of the environmental licensing process for block FZA-M-59, located in deepwater areas of Amapá.

The report approving the APO was filed by the agency on Wednesday, September 24th. In the document, Ibama states that “taking into account the observations recorded by the team of assessors, the robustness of the structure presented, as well as the unprecedented nature of the activity performed—marked by significant logistical challenges, the size of the structure deployed, and the breadth of the analysis—the Pre-Operational Assessment of Block FZA-59 is considered approved.”

In its decision, Ibama also requests that adjustments be made to the wildlife protection plan presented by the company, “to contribute to the continuous improvement of the response structure, ensuring its adequacy and alignment with the region’s requirements.” Petrobras will revise the plan based on the observations outlined in the report and will resubmit the document to Ibama by this Friday, September 26th.

The ruling published by Ibama recommends granting the operating license “after the technical team verifies that the improvements and corrections requested in the report have been incorporated into the plans.”

With the approval of the APO and compliance with the other requirements of the licensing process, Petrobras expects to soon receive the environmental license to drill an exploratory well in block FZA-M-59, through which the company will gather geological information and investigate for oil.

Petrobras remains committed to the development of the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, recognizing the importance of new frontiers to ensure the country’s energy security and the resources necessary for a fair energy transition.

Additional adjustments requested by Ibama will be delivered by the company by this Friday, September 26th.