At the river dock in Oiapoque, a frontier city near Brazil’s northern coast, Cleidiney Ribeiro guides his river boat into the water. Expressing hope for the future, he mentions the ongoing progress in Oiapoque as he navigates towards the point where the river converges with the Atlantic Ocean.
Brazil’s state-owned oil company, Petrobras, has commenced exploratory drilling 170 kilometers off the Amazonian coast, coinciding with the commencement of COP30, the world’s largest climate conference in Belém, Brazil. During the event, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized the need to transition towards sustainable energy sources, highlighting the limitations of the current fossil fuel-based development model.
Despite these statements, Brazil is on the brink of an impending oil boom if the existence of oil deposits in the Foz do Amazonas basin is confirmed. This move has raised concerns among environmental experts, such as Suely Araújo from Brazil’s Climate Observatory, who criticizes the government’s decision to expand oil production amidst the global climate crisis.
As COP30 kicks off in Belém with thousands of delegates and observers gathered in the Amazon city, the focus is on accelerating efforts to reduce planet-warming emissions and promoting the transition to sustainable energy sources. President Lula reiterated Brazil’s commitment to engage in discussions on energy transition, pledging to allocate a portion of oil revenues towards funding sustainable initiatives.
In Oiapoque, a city with high hopes pinned on potential oil discoveries offshore, residents anticipate economic growth and development. The prospect of oil exploration has sparked optimism in the region, with residents like Romeu Costa, who manages the local airport, expressing optimism about the city’s future prospects.
Petrobras holds the rights to Block 59, the sole offshore area currently licensed for exploratory drilling in the Foz do Amazonas basin. Last year’s auction granted 19 additional oil blocks to companies like Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and a Chinese consortium, signaling a significant expansion in oil exploration activities in the region.
The estimated oil reserves in Brazil’s equatorial margin could potentially reach 30 billion barrels of recoverable oil, according to the ANP. Brazil’s Energy Minister has hailed this as a promising opportunity that could create thousands of jobs and alleviate poverty in the area, despite concerns about potential environmental impacts.
Indigenous communities living near Oiapoque have raised objections to the oil drilling plans, citing risks of environmental contamination and the lack of consultation on the licensing process. Chief Wagner Karipuna voiced concerns about the potential threats to their land and water sources, prompting Indigenous leaders to oppose the development and demand a meeting with Petrobras representatives.
As the debate intensifies between economic development and environmental conservation, protests are planned at COP30 to draw international attention to the situation. The complex interplay between energy needs, environmental concerns, and economic aspirations presents a significant challenge for President Lula and the global community gathered in Belém for the climate conference.