Foz do Amazonas drilling license: Petrobras reports that Ibama sees ‘all issues resolved’ and will continue with the process

Oct. 16 – Petrobras reported that it has submitted the information requested by Ibama related to the licensing process at Foz do Amazonas. According to the company, the environmental agency considered that all outstanding issues were duly clarified and that the information presented is sufficient to continue analyzing the process. “Petrobras remains confident that the operating license will be issued soon, as a result of the joint work between the company and Ibama”.

The oil company expects to receive the license by next Tuesday (21), when the charter contract for the ODN-II drillship expires. “If we don’t start drilling by the 21st, this rig could be removed from the location, and if it is removed and replaced by another rig in the future, what will happen is that the licensing process will start all over again,” warned Petrobras president Magda Chambriard during an event in Rio de Janeiro this week.

As already reported, if drilling begins before the end of the ODN-II rig contract, the activity may continue until the well is completed — even if it exceeds the vessel’s charter term.