Overview
- Ibama issued a new technical opinion for block FZA-M-59 demanding fuller emergency and wildlife protection plans, leaving the drilling license decision pending.
- Petrobras says it expects authorization soon after clearing a key environmental test, a reversal from the regulator’s 2023 denial.
- A Datafolha survey commissioned by Ekō found 61% of Brazilians want Lula to prohibit exploration in the Margem Equatorial, rising to 73% among those aged 16 to 24.
- Analysts caution that the IEA projects oil demand to decline after 2030 and estimate burning Block 59’s reserves could emit about 2.5 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
- Brazil’s federal audit court reported severe flaws in royalty distribution, with 87% of revenues flowing to three states, intensifying questions over promised social gains.