In a statement, the Ministry of Mines and Energy stressed that it seeks a balance between economic and environmental development.| Photo: Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) said this Thursday (18th) that it asked Petrobras for studies to resolve Ibama’s doubts about the feasibility of prospecting for oil on the equatorial margin at the mouth of the Amazon in an environmentally safe manner. This Wednesday (17), Ibama denied Petrobras’ request to explore in the region.

The MME said it received the decision with “naturalness and due institutional respect”. The folder stated, in a note, that the discussions refer “only to the possibility of verifying the existence of oil and natural gas in block FZA-M-59, located more than 500 km away from the mouth of the Amazon River”. Petrobras announced that it will appeal Ibama’s decision.

“It is a process of reconnaissance of the Brazilian subsoil, based on the drilling of just one well, for research purposes, with the objective of verifying the potential of the region and, mainly, the opportunities for Brazilian men and women”, said the MME.

The ministry stressed that it seeks a balance between economic and environmental development. “The objective of the MME is always to seek a balance between economic development – ​​with job and income generation – and the necessary environmental issues, promoting effective and permanent transformation and social justice for the population and preserving our environment”, says the note.