Petrobras Halts Foz do Amazonas Drilling After Biodegradable Fluid Leak as Prosecutors Demand Answers

Overview

• The company stopped work at the Morpho exploratory well about 175 km off Amapá after a loss of drilling fluid from two auxiliary lines was found on January 4 and immediately contained.
• An ROV located the discharge at roughly 2,700 meters depth, the affected lines are being brought to the surface for evaluation and repair, and no oil or well integrity issues were reported.
• Ibama says the released fluid is biodegradable and low toxicity and has opened administrative follow-up as the emergency response plan was activated and the wellhead remained closed.
• Federal prosecutors in Amapá gave Petrobras and Ibama 48 hours to provide details, and Petrobras says it will respond within the deadline.
• Ibama requested a technical report on composition, quantity and impacts, environmental groups petitioned to suspend the license, Petrobras shares fell about 2%, and the pause may last roughly 10–15 days.