Brazil will expand its continental shelf, it is confirmed. The neighboring country’s proposal was approved by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) of the United Nations (UN).
It will be towards the coast of the northern littoral. With this, it will be able to explore the so-called Equatorial Margin in an area of approximately 360,000 square kilometers.
Why Brazil is expanding its continental shelf
The new area extends from the state of Amapá to Rio Grande do Norte and exceeds the 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) of the Exclusive Economic Zone.
This is the maritime strip over which the country already has internationally recognized rights.
With the decision, published on Wednesday, March 26, Brazil will be able to explore the so-called Equatorial Margin in an area of approximately 360,000 square kilometers.
Since 2017, Brazil has been seeking to expand its continental shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles established by international authorities. The evaluation of the Equatorial Margin required seven years of dialogue between Brazilian specialists and CLCS experts.
Recently, at the 63rd session of the Commission, held in New York between February 17 and 28, the Brazilian delegation presented its final considerations, and the organization approved them.
Discussions were based on the Brazilian Continental Shelf Survey Plan (Leplac), led by the Navy and supported by the local company Petrobras, the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), among other institutions.
Brazil’s new territory
The new extension is equivalent to the territory of Germany. “The recognition represents an important geopolitical and strategic achievement for the country,” stated the Navy in a press release.
“We know the importance of this decision for Brazil. In addition to strengthening the country’s sovereignty, it will allow access to the natural resources present in the region,” said Sylvia Anjos, Director of Exploration and Production at Petrobras.
It is important to note that the new area recognized by the UN does not coincide with the zone where Petrobras seeks a license for oil drilling.
While both are located in the Equatorial Margin, the region of interest for the state company is within the 200 nautical miles limit already belonging to Brazil.
Drilling planned by Petrobras
Petrobras’ first well is planned in the FZ-M-59 block, in the Amazonas Basin, in the waters of the state of Amapá.
On March 14, the company informed the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) that it plans to conclude the fauna stabilization unit in Oiapoque (state of Amapá) in March, one of the regulator’s requirements for drilling authorization.
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