On Monday, October 20, Petrobras received an operating license from IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) to drill an exploratory well in block FZA-M-059. The block is located in deep waters off the coast of Amapá, about 500 km from the mouth of the Amazon River and 175 km from the shoreline, within the Brazilian Equatorial Margin.

The drillship is already on site, and drilling operations are set to begin immediately, with an expected duration of five months. The purpose of this exploratory survey is to gather detailed geological information and assess whether the area contains oil and gas on an economic scale. There will be no oil production during this phase.

"The conclusion of this process, with the effective issuance of the license, is an achievement for Brazilian society and demonstrates the commitment of national institutions to dialogue and to enabling projects that can contribute to the country's development. It was an almost five-year journey, during which Petrobras engaged with municipal, state, and federal governments and environmental agencies. Throughout this process, the company was able to demonstrate the robustness of its entire environmental protection structure, which will be available during deepwater drilling operations in Amapá. We will operate in the Equatorial Margin with safety, responsibility, and technical excellence. We expect to achieve excellent results in this research and confirm the existence of oil in the Brazilian portion of this new global energy frontier," said Magda Chambriard (Photo), president of Petrobras.

Petrobras has fully met all IBAMA requirements, ensuring complete compliance with the environmental licensing process. As a final evaluation step, the company conducted an on-site simulation in August, known as the Pre-Operational Assessment (APO), during which IBAMA verified Petrobras’ preparedness and the effectiveness of its emergency response plan.

The company remains committed to the development of the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, recognizing the strategic importance of exploring these new frontiers to ensure the country’s energy security and support a fair and balanced energy transition.