Hearing in Belém debates possible impacts of oil exploration on the Equatorial Margin

A public hearing was held this Thursday (15) in Belém to discuss the possible impacts of oil and gas exploration in the Equatorial Margin, which includes the Foz do Amazonas Basin and Marajó.

The meeting at the headquarters of the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) brought together researchers, authorities, social movements and also community leaders from cities in Marajoara.

The meeting in Belém this Thursday was promoted by the Amazon Working Group Network (GTA) with the aim of expanding the discussion on possible impacts of oil activity in the region.

🔎 The Brazilian Equatorial Margin is an area of ​​the Brazilian coast with potential for oil and gas exploration. The region extends from Amapá to Rio Grande do Norte and also covers Pará, Maranhão, Piauí and Ceará.

Petrobras announced the discovery of oil off the coast of Amapá. The well is in block FZA-M-59 on the Equatorial Margin, located in the open sea and approximately 500 kilometers from the mouth of the Amazon River.

Drilling takes place in ultra-deep waters, around 2.9 kilometers deep. Petrobrás received authorization from Ibama to drill wells.

Equatorial Margin where the Foz do Amazonas Basin is located — Photo: Petrobras/Disclosure

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Hearing on community concerns

Hearing was held in Belém to discuss possible impacts of oil exploration in the Equatorial Margin — Photo: Valéria Martins/g1

Representatives from Marajó communities participated in the meeting and highlighted the fear that the activity could impact the lifestyles and rights of traditional populations in the region, who complained about the lack of consultations before exploration studies began.

At the hearing, a consultation protocol was also presented with the intention that it be followed in possible future explorations also in Pará. This is because Petrobrás assesses that the region could become a new energy frontier for the country.

Exploratory wells on the coast of Pará are part of the company's project portfolio and business plans, but still depend on environmental studies and licensing.

"We have exploratory opportunities depending on environmental licensing planned for the state of Pará as well. For now, it is still a pretension and this part is still under study", informed the president of Petrobras, Magda Chambriard, during a visit to Belém.

During the hearing, leaders and representatives of organizations also defended greater community participation in decisions about these projects.

Biologist, quilombola and member of the Marajó Observatory Bianca Barbosa stated that she has been following the case since 2017, when technical studies already identified the region as a new exploratory frontier. According to the text, she has noticed changes in the territory where she lives, in Salvaterra.

In addition to discussing possible environmental and social damage, the hearing also advocated for greater community participation in decisions about these projects.

Petrobrás recently announced the discovery of oil at the mouth of the Amazon. — Photo: Disclosure/Foresea