Petrobras plans logistics base in Belém for Amapá oil exploration

Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard stated on 9 October 2026 that the state of Pará could develop a logistics base to support offshore oil activities off Amapá. Speaking during a visit to Belém, Chambriard highlighted the city as an essential support hub for potential operations on the Equatorial Margin, noting it is better prepared than Oiapoque.

A plan from May 2023 had already designated the port of Belém as a logistics base, Oiapoque airport as an air base, and Belém as a wildlife care center. Exploratory results at the Morpho well, located in block FZA-M-59 in the Foz do Amazonas basin, reached about seven kilometers in depth. The well found oil in two separate intervals: one announced in August and a deeper one reported on 2 October 2026.

Commercial viability remains unconfirmed until laboratory tests and further drilling are completed. Petrobras holds licenses to drill three appraisal wells and plans an additional eight wells in Amapá to help counter long-term declines in pre-salt output. Final maneuvers at Morpho should conclude by late October, after which the rig will mobilize to the Mãe de Ouro exploratory well in the Potiguar basin.

Chambriard defended the safety of operations and emphasized environmental precautions. However, an incident reported to Ibama on 4 January involved a drilling fluid leak from two auxiliary lines connecting the rig to the Morpho well, which released drilling fluid into the sea before lines were isolated.