The state oil company Petrobras began drilling in the Equatorial Margin, a coastal and marine strip that extends from the mouth of the Amazon River towards the Atlantic, off the states of Amapá and Rio Grande do Norte.
The environmental license was granted by IBAMA in October 2025, after years of denied requests, political pressures —including from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva— and criticism from environmentalists.
Risks to the Amazon Reef
The Amazon reef system, located less than 40 km from block FZA-M-59 where Petrobras is drilling the Morpho well, is the main focus of concern.
- Discovered in the 1970s and officially described in 2016, this ecosystem covers 9,500 km².
- In 2017, Greenpeace released unprecedented images of corals in murky waters, a surprising finding given the unfavorable conditions for their proliferation.
- The reef functions as a biodiversity corridor between the Atlantic and the Caribbean, interdependent on other ecosystems at the mouth of the Amazon.
Risk Scenarios
Scientists warn that a spill could have regional consequences:
- Macrotides: on the coast of Pará and Amapá, the water level can rise more than 5 meters a day, dragging waste towards the coastal zone.
- Marine currents: in 2024, Greenpeace Brazil released buoys with GPS to study the movements of the currents, demonstrating the complexity of pollutant dispersion.
Impact on Local Communities
Beyond environmental damage, an accident would directly affect artisanal fishing, predominant on the Amazon coast.
The snapper (Lutjanus purpureus), the second most valuable marine fishery export product of Brazil, could suffer irreparable losses.
Legal and Social Conflicts
In October 2025, eight indigenous, quilombola, and fisher organizations filed a lawsuit in the Federal Court of Pará, with the Public Ministry as co-plaintiff. They alleged:
- Lack of consultation with local communities.
- Ignoring the project’s climate impacts.
- Deficiencies in licensing models.
The case was transferred to Amapá by order of TRF1, the state of Senate President Davi Alcolumbre, a supporter of oil exploration.
Debate on Energy Transition
The Brazilian government argues that oil revenues will finance the transition to renewable energies. However, specialists like Araújo question the logic: “Expanding production to finance the transition is not logical.”
Petrobras estimates that the initial drilling phase will last five months, although the fluid leak has already postponed the completion date. If high-quality oil is found, the company will request additional licenses to expand exploration.
Drilling in the Equatorial Margin opens a new chapter in the tension between economic development and environmental conservation. The Amazon reef, little known and vital for biodiversity, faces risks that could transcend borders.
The outcome will depend on how Brazil balances its energy goals with the protection of one of the planet’s most unique ecosystems.
