Petrobras wins approval for three more Foz do Amazonas wells
Brazil’s environmental regulator Ibama authorized Petrobras to drill three more wells in the Foz do Amazonas basin, expanding the licensed program in block FZA-M-59 on the country’s Equatorial Margin.
Ibama issued the authorization on 3 September 2026 as a rectification of Operating License No. 1684, adding the Manga, Crotalus and PAD Morpho wells to the program. The license also permits Petrobras to deploy a second drillship, the Amaralina Star (NS-43), alongside the ODN II, though the two rigs may not operate simultaneously and the Amaralina Star must undergo a prior Ibama inspection. Petrobras must submit an updated drilling schedule to Ibama within 30 days.
The new wells are intended to help delineate the reservoir at the nearby Morpho discovery, where Petrobras confirmed hydrocarbons on 14 August 2026. The ODN II drillship is completing the Morpho well before moving to the newly authorized locations.
