Petrobras Halts Drilling in Foz do Amazonas Basin After Fluid Leak

Drilling Operations Suspended Following Leak

Brazilian state-owned oil company Petrobras has announced the suspension of its drilling operations in the Foz do Amazonas Basin. The halt comes after a fluid leak was detected on Sunday, January 4, at the Morpho well, located approximately 175 km off the coast of Brazil's northern state of Amapá.

According to Petrobras, approximately 15 cubic meters (15,000 liters) of a 'synthetic drilling fluid' leaked from two auxiliary lines connecting the drilling rig to the well. The company stated that the fluid loss was immediately contained and isolated. Petrobras further assured that the leaked fluid is biodegradable and poses no harm to the environment, people, or the safety of its operations in the region.

Investigation and Operational Impact

The incident was identified after a drop in drilling fluid levels was observed, leading to the deployment of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) which located the leak at a depth of around 2,700 meters. The affected lines are to be brought to the surface for evaluation and repair. As a result, drilling activities at the Morpho well are expected to be suspended for an estimated period of 10 to 15 days.

Brazil's environmental agency, IBAMA, was promptly notified of the incident and is actively monitoring the situation. The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) in Amapá has also requested urgent information from both IBAMA and Petrobras regarding the leak.

Context of the Foz do Amazonas Basin

The Foz do Amazonas Basin is considered a highly promising oil frontier for Petrobras, sharing geological characteristics with oil-rich regions in neighboring Guyana. The company spent several years seeking regulatory approval to drill in this environmentally sensitive area, which is known for its coral reefs and proximity to Indigenous communities. IBAMA had previously denied drilling licenses due to environmental concerns, but approval was eventually granted following pressure from local politicians and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The current drilling at the Morpho well, which began in October and was projected to last approximately five months, marks the first of seven wells Petrobras plans to explore in the basin.