Brazil's government greenlights oil drilling near the mouth of the Amazon River ahead of the UN climate summit

Sao Paulo (Brazil), October 21 (AP) Brazil’s government on Monday approved exploratory drilling by state-owned oil giant Petrobras near the mouth of the Amazon River. The decision comes just weeks before the United Nations climate conference in Belem, COP30, where efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels will be discussed. The Equatorial Margin deposit off the coast of Brazil, which stretches from Brazil’s border with Suriname to part of the country’s northeastern region, is believed to be rich in oil and gas. Petrobras said in a statement that drilling could start immediately and last up to five months. It has requested to do the exploratory drilling in block FZA-M-059, which lies 175 kilometers off the coast of the northern Brazilian state of Amapa, which borders Suriname. The company added that the exploration well will not produce any oil. The decision by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, run by the country’s environment ministry, was publicly celebrated by Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira. “The Equatorial Margin represents the future of our energy sovereignty. Brazil cannot give up knowing its potential,” Silveira said on his social media channels after the decision was announced. “We have made a firm and technical defense (of the drilling in the region) so that we can ensure that the exploration takes place with full environmental responsibility, within the highest international standards and concrete benefits for Brazilians.” In June, Brazil auctioned several potential land and offshore oil sites near the Amazon River as it aims to expand production in untapped regions despite protests from environmental and indigenous groups. Nineteen offshore blocks were awarded to Chevron, ExxonMobil, Petrobras and China National Petroleum Corporation. The oil companies see the area as highly promising because it shares geological features with Guyana, where some of the biggest offshore oil discoveries of the 21st century have been made. This region is considered a high potential risk due to strong currents and the proximity to the Amazon coast. (AP) SNAP SNAP