Petrobras defends Equatorial Margin drilling against MPF lawsuit

Petrobras stated on September 20, 2026, that studies found no direct socio-environmental impacts on traditional communities or Indigenous lands from exploratory drilling in block FZA-M-59, located in the Foz do Amazonas basin. The statement follows an appeal filed on September 17 by Brazil's Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) requesting the Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region (TRF1) to immediately suspend the company's drilling license.

The MPF argues that 17 municipalities in Pará lie within the project's influence zone. According to prosecutors, support vessels departing from Belém traverse environmentally sensitive routes, causing disrupted fishing nets, dispersed fish stocks, and navigation risks. The MPF demands drilling halt until prior consultations are held with all traditional coastal communities in Pará, alongside dedicated fishery studies, a compensation plan, and a revised project boundary.

Petrobras responded that prior consultation does not apply to this specific licensing stage. Even so, the state-run producer conducted more than 80 meetings and public hearings across 22 municipalities in Amapá and Pará prior to drilling. The company also noted that flight operations out of the Oiapoque airport follow operational adjustments agreed with Indigenous leaders in 2023 to adjust flight paths and raise aircraft altitudes.

Environmental agency Ibama amended Petrobras's drilling license on September 3, 2026. The update approved three additional contingent wells (Manga, Crotalus, and a Morpho extension) alongside the Morpho well, situated roughly 175 kilometers off the coast of Amapá in water depths of 2,886 meters. Petrobras had announced a discovery of good quality oil at the Morpho well on August 14, 2026.