On Monday (May 19), Petrobras received approval from Ibama for the concept of the Oiled Wildlife Protection and Response Plan (PPAF) submitted by the company as part of its Individual Emergency Plan (PEI). This is a key step toward obtaining the environmental license required to drill an exploratory well in deep waters off the coast of Amapá, located more than 500 km from the mouth of the Amazon River and over 160 km offshore.

According to Ibama, "the approval of the PPAF concept indicates that the plan, in its theoretical and methodological aspects, meets the required technical standards and is ready for the next stage: inspections and oiled wildlife rescue simulations." The next and final phase in the licensing process will involve an on-site emergency response drill, known as the Pre-Operational Assessment (APO). This exercise will simulate an accidental oil spill in order to evaluate the effectiveness of Petrobras’ emergency response plan for the drilling activity.

"Petrobras has been diligently complying with all requirements and procedures established by regulatory, licensing, and oversight bodies. We fully respect the rigorous environmental licensing process involved. We are pleased to move forward to this final stage and to demonstrate that we are fully prepared to operate safely off the coast of Amapá. We will deploy the largest emergency response structure ever seen in Brazil's deep and ultra-deep waters," said Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard.

During the APO, Ibama will assess factors such as equipment efficiency, response time, compliance with established rescue timelines for wildlife, and communication with authorities and stakeholders. The exercise will involve more than 400 personnel and a range of logistical resources, including large vessels, helicopters, and the NS-42 drilling rig, which will be positioned at the designated drilling site. Through this assessment, Petrobras will demonstrate its readiness to operate and its eligibility to receive the drilling license.

Equatorial Margin

Petrobras’ activities in the Equatorial Margin — the coastal stretch between Amapá and Rio Grande do Norte — are guided by a strong commitment to life, people, and the environment. All operations are conducted under strict social and environmental responsibility protocols, leveraging the company's extensive technical expertise gained over decades of offshore operations in Brazil, with globally recognized achievements in deepwater exploration and production.

Confirming the presence of oil in the Equatorial Margin could open a significant new energy frontier for Brazil. This development will be integrated with other energy sources and contribute to a fair, safe, and sustainable energy transition for the country.