Petrobras CEO piles on pressure for Equatorial Margin drilling

Ms. Chambriard is in the U.S. attending the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), a global industry event held in Houston. Valor obtained access to the video of her remarks. When contacted, the company confirmed the authenticity of the footage.

Standing alongside Amapá Governor Clécio Luís (Solidarity Party), Ms. Chambriard defended the project, which is under fire from environmentalists, arguing that the possibility of extracting oil in the region represents a major opportunity for the state and for the country.

“I celebrate the presence of Governor Clécio because he represents the opportunity we have in the Equatorial Margin and in the state of Amapá, where we truly believe we will have good surprises once we obtain the license to drill,” she said during a panel hosted by the Brazilian Petroleum and Gas Institute (IBP) at the event. Ms. Chambriard then added in English: “Let’s drill, baby!”

Beside the governor, Ms. Chambriard emphasized the importance of discussing the potential for a new oil reserve in the country at what “the world’s largest oil exploration and production conference.” She also assured that the drilling will be done safely and poses no risk to the population.

“The people of Amapá can rest assured that Petrobras operates responsibly, employing the highest technology for the benefit of the Brazilian population and Amapá society,” Ms. Chambriard said.

Along the same lines, Governor Luís thanked the invitation to join the Petrobras CEO at the conference and highlighted the potential economic impact of the exploration for the state.

“It’s very important to say that for us in Amapá, this is a turning point for our economy. We really want and really need the resources that would come from this oil. And we believe we can do this in a very safe way,” the governor declared.

The statement comes amid pressure from government officials and lawmakers from the North region for the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) to grant the environmental license for the exploration.

The main supporter of the proposal in Brasília is Senate President Davi Alcolumbre (Brazil Union of Amapá). Mr. Alcolumbre, a close ally of Governor Luís, even secured support from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who went so far as to say that Ibama “can’t keep up this stalling,” in a clear message opposing the stance of Environment Minister Marina Silva.

The minister maintains that the agency’s decision is technical. Ibama argues that the Amazonas River mouth region is environmentally sensitive, requiring strict licensing procedures.

In March, Ibama issued a technical opinion approving Petrobras’s plan for cleaning the drillship designated for exploration in the Equatorial Margin. The approval is a step that brings the company closer to securing the environmental license for exploratory activity in the region.