Perfuração petrolífera na costa do Amapá: o caso do bloco FZA-M-59 e o processo de licenciamento ambiental

Abstract

The implementation of activities such as the exploration and production of oil and natural gas generate several debates when submitted to environmental licensing processes, considering that these are activities with the potential to cause major socio-environmental disasters in cases of oil spills. Such public debates could be seen within the scope of the environmental licensing process for Block FZA-M-59, where Petrobras intends to carry out oil research in the coastal region of the state of Amapá. This research sought to identify and demonstrate the main inconsistencies found in Petrobras' studies that led to the rejection of the Operation License request for its offshore drilling project in Block FZA-M-59, in addition to exposing issues related to popular participation in the process of environmental licensing of the activity. The research methodology used was exploratory in nature, relying on bibliographic and documentary surveys. It was evident that Brazil has broad environmental legislation - general and specific - that must be applied when licensing petroleum activities. Some of the main socio-environmental impacts that can be caused by the oil and gas industry when leak incidents occur, mainly in marine areas, were reported. It was found that the licensing process for Block FZA-M-59 began in 2013, with the denial of the Operating License by the licensing body to Petrobras in 2023. The Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources pointed out in Technical Opinions several inconsistencies in the entrepreneur's environmental studies, demonstrating the reasons that led to the denial of the Operating License for Petrobras to carry out oil drilling activities in the Foz do Maritime Basin. Amazon. Among the inconsistencies found by the licensing body are those related to: numerical modeling of oil dispersion; to the Social Communication Project; the Individual Emergency Plan; the Fauna Protection Plan; in addition to issues related to the lack of Environmental Assessment of the Sedimentary Area. Regarding popular participation in the licensing process for the activity, it was found that this right was guaranteed by holding sectoral meetings and Public Hearings.