Without oil production from the equatorial margin — the area on Brazil’s northern coast whose potential has been described as similar to the pre-salt layers — the country may have to import oil again within ten years.
The statement was made by Petrobras’ Exploration and Production director, Sylvia Anjos, and is part of the state-owned company’s efforts to obtain a license to explore the region.
“Timing is critical. In five or six years, there will be a decline in pre-salt production. As a result, we could become oil importers again in 2034 or 2035 if we do not have discoveries,” she said during a lecture at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
The equatorial margin covers an area along the coast from the state of Rio Grande do Norte to Amapá. The exploration is criticized by environmentalists, who are concerned about potential environmental damage.
Petrobras has 16 wells in this new exploratory frontier, which includes the mouth of the Amazon River. However, it only has permission from the environmental authority Ibama to drill two of them. The company has asked the institute to reconsider its decision and grant permission for additional areas.Environment
Petrobras, the director said, has met Ibama’s requirements for the license — including the establishment of a center to shelter animals in case of an oil spill; ensuring that there will be no overcrowding at the Oiapoque Airport in Amapá; and simulating environmental emergency exercises.
However, even if the license were granted today, Petrobras acknowledges that it would take about three months to begin drilling.
Director Sylvia stated that, off the coast of Rio Grande do Norte, where permission has been granted, two wells are already being drilled, but there is still no opinion on their economic viability, that is, whether the amount of oil found is profitable.Energy Transition
The director believes there is no conflict between the country’s environmental policy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and its interest in oil exploration. She explained that Petrobras uses technology that produces less carbon dioxide.
She also argued that oil will continue to be in demand worldwide for decades, both as an energy source and as a raw material for the petrochemical industry, which produces a wide variety of items beyond plastics.
“Which oil will be present? The one with lower emissions. In this sense, pre-salt emissions are between seven and nine kilograms of carbon dioxide per barrel. The global average is 17kg; 20kg for some large fields,” she noted, adding that Petrobras’ production will achieve negative carbon emissions before 2050.Source: Agência Brasil