Brazil has granted permission to drill an additional three wells in the Amazon mouth area. This approval was issued on Thursday and was officially announced today by the federal Brazilian authority.
Previously, last October, Petrobras received permission from the environmental agency to drill the so-called Morfo well, located 175 kilometers from the Amapá coast, while other licensing applications were under review.
The official statement indicates that 'this permit is the result of a strict environmental licensing process and is conditioned upon compliance with the measures and requirements established in the license for conducting activities.'
For Petrobras, oil exploration in the Amazon mouth basin is strategically important for increasing its reserves, but this activity faces criticism from environmental agencies and other bodies.
Environmental organizations oppose oil extraction in this region, considering it an area of 'extreme sensitivity' due to the presence of natural reserves, indigenous territories, mangrove swamps, and coral reefs, as well as marine biodiversity, including endangered species.
Last month, Petrobras announced the discovery of oil in the Morfo well, which was even noted by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, who called the find a 'passport to the future.'