The NS-42 drilling rig, chartered by Petrobras, arrived at its location in block FZA-M-59, in deep waters off Amapá, on the night of Monday, August 18. The vessel will be used during the Pre-Operational Assessment (APO), scheduled to begin on August 24.

The APO is the last step in the environmental licensing process for drilling a well in the offshore block FZA-M-59, located 175 kilometers off the coast of Amapá and more than 500 kilometers from the mouth of the Amazon River. During the exercise, Brazil’s environmental agency Ibama will evaluate Petrobras’ compliance with the actions outlined in the Wildlife Protection and Response Plans and the Emergency Plan. By simulating an accident response action, the agency will assess aspects such as equipment efficiency, agility, compliance with wildlife response times, and communication with authorities and stakeholders.

The exercise will involve more than 400 people and include logistical resources such as large vessels, helicopters, and the NS-42 drilling rig itself, which will be positioned at the location where the well is set to be drilled. Through the APO, Petrobras will demonstrate its ability to respond promptly and will then be authorized to receive the license for well drilling. A similar procedure was carried out in 2023 offshore Rio Grande do Norte, before drilling licenses were granted for the Pitu Oeste and Anhangá wells.

“We will conduct this simulation with the strict safety and readiness protocols we apply to all Petrobras activities. We are bringing to Amapá the largest incident response structure ever mobilized by the company. Confirming the existence of oil in the Equatorial Margin could open an important energy frontier for Brazil, to be developed in an integrated way with other energy sources, contributing to ensure that the energy transition process takes place in a fair, safe, and sustainable manner,” said Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard.

Petrobras’ activities in the Equatorial Margin — the coastal stretch between Amapá and Rio Grande do Norte — are guided by respect for life, people, and the environment. The company operates under strict social and environmental responsibility protocols and brings extensive technical expertise, built over decades of experience in Brazilian offshore operations, with global recognition in deepwater Exploration and Production.