Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha archipelago may host offshore oil exploration

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The next offshore oil exploration auction, scheduled for October 7, includes among its 92 bids blocks with a direct impact and overlap of some of the most sensitive and significant regions of Brazil’s reef ecosystem.

A region of unique biodiversity, the integral preservation area is also key to maintaining the livelihood of all fishing and tourism activities. The Fernando de Noronha archipelago and the Rocas Atoll were recognized in 2001 as World Natural Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

In a technical study conducted by researchers and professors from the Federal University of Pernambuco’s (UFPE) Department of Oceanography (DOCEAN) and the University of São Paulo’s Oceanographic Institute (IO-USP), the experts examined the technical data of the exploratory blocks to be offered by the National Petroleum Agency (ANP).

The study shows that, among the 92 blocks that ANP will offer for exploration by large oil companies, the “Potiguar Sedimentary Basin” is included, an area with blocks that have a direct impact on three underwater banks of the Fernando de Noronha chain. These are the Guará, Sirius and Touros banks. The studies show that two of these blocks directly affect some 50% of the Sirius seamount base area and 65% of its top.

From the sea floor, Sirius rises towards the surface and is only 54 meters below sea level. It is therefore an extremely shallow area. The same direct impact has been identified on the Guará and Touros banks.

Located in the western region of the Noronha chain, Sirius is the most important bank for maintaining the link between the oceanic ecosystems of the Northeast Region. The Rocas Atoll is located between Sirius and the Noronha Archipelago. Given its ecological relevance, the Atoll became Brazil’s first marine conservation reserve in 1979. Today, it is classified as a biological reserve.

“People know the Noronha Archipelago and the Atoll, but the banks that form part of this ecosystem, and that are little known, have the same relevance and wealth and are vital for the preservation of the whole set, because they are interconnected,” says DOCEAN/UFPE professor Mauro Maida, who signed the study jointly with Moacyr Araújo, Beatrice Padovani Ferreira (DOCEAN/UFPE), and Julia Araujo (IO-USP).

Through a statement, ANP said that the bidding round was approved after a joint opinion by the Ministries of Mines and Energy (MME) and Environment (MMA). According to ANP, “the regulations in force regarding environmental guidelines were fully complied with” and adjustments requested by the agencies linked to the MMA were accepted, in addition to “relevant and available” environmental data having been made public.

The agency said that the approval of the blocks for auction does not imply tacit approval for licensing. “The existing environmental data about a given area, of course, will be used for the relevant environmental licensing and do not dispense with the need for further studies, which are required for the specific environmental licensing of a particular block or geographic area,” it said.

Until early this month, 9 companies had signed up for the auction: Petrobras, 3R Petroleum, Chevron, Shell, Total Energies EP, Ecopetrol, Murphy Exploration & Production Company, Karoon Oil & Gas and Wintershall Dea.