What's Happening in the Amazon River Mouth
The Petrobras is about to complete the drilling of the Morpho well in the FZA-M-59 block, in the Amazon River Mouth. However, recent studies reinforce the risks of oil exploration in the region. A report presented by Petrobras to IBAMA shows that an oil spill in the area can reach the coast of Amapá.
Two new studies, published in the Continental Shelf Research and Journal of Marine Science and Engineering journals, simulate the risks of oil spills in the Amazon River Mouth. The studies show that the oil can reach the coasts of Suriname and French Guiana in just six days, and that the risk of coastal contact is higher during the period from September to April.
Why it Matters
Oil exploration in the Amazon River Mouth can have devastating consequences for the environment and local communities. The region is characterized by its great biodiversity, including the second-largest mangrove area in the world and the Amazon reef system.
The studies show that the risk of oil spills is higher during the period from September to April, when the North Brazil Current weakens and loses its "retroflexion", the deviation that would normally push the oil spill out to the open sea.
The Mechanism Behind the Risk
The studies use simulation models to assess the risks of oil spills in the Amazon River Mouth. The MEDSLIK-II model, used in the study published in Continental Shelf Research, simulates ocean current and wind patterns in the region.
The STFM model, used in the study published in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, integrates data from ocean currents, winds, and waves, and was validated with satellite tracking buoys.
Broad Context
Oil exploration in the Amazon River Mouth is a controversial topic, with implications for the environment, local communities, and the economy. The region is characterized by its great biodiversity and ecological importance, and oil exploration can have devastating consequences for the environment.
The studies show that the risk of oil spills is higher during the period from September to April, and that the probability of oil reaching the coast is higher during this period.
What Happens Next
The studies reinforce the need for caution and more in-depth studies before the granting of new environmental licenses in the Amazon River Mouth. The ANP indicated 36 areas in the Amazon River Mouth for possible inclusion in auctions, of which eight had not been offered before.
The authors of the studies advocate for the need for more in-depth studies, considering different types of oil, interannual variability, and specific validation of the model for the Amazon region, before the granting of new environmental licenses in the Amazon River Mouth.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The studies show that oil exploration in the Amazon River Mouth is a complex and controversial topic, with implications for the environment, local communities, and the economy. It is essential that more in-depth studies are conducted and measures are taken to minimize the risks of oil spills in the region.
It is recommended that the ANP and Petrobras reevaluate the permanent offer of blocks in the region until the risks are better understood, and that international cooperation agreements are established to deal with the risks of oil spills in the region.
Source / Reference
Original URL: https://climainfo.org.br/2026/07/22/estudos-reforcam-riscos-da-exploracao-de-petroleo-na-foz-do-amazonas/
Source Name: ClimaInfo