Brazil's President Lula hails oil discovery near Amazon river
Environmentalists have heavily criticised the exploratory drilling in the sea off the mouth of the Amazon.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has lauded the discovery of oil near the Amazon River's mouth, presenting a vial of the crude found during exploratory drilling. Following the announcement by Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras, Lula declared the find could be "a passport to the country's future."
His decision to permit exploratory drilling in the Brazilian Equatorial Margin faced significant criticism from environmentalists, who voiced concerns that potential oil spills could devastate the region's ecosystem. Lula, who is seeking re-election for another four-year term in October, emphasized his continued commitment to eventually phasing out fossil fuels to combat climate change.
The oil was discovered approximately 175km (110 miles) off the Amazon coast, but the field's exact size remains undetermined. It is also unclear whether extracting the oil, situated at a depth of 2,886m (9,469ft), would be commercially viable.
Conservationists have warned that the drilling area is highly biodiverse. They fear that accidents could endanger nearby reefs, and that ocean currents might carry spilled oil to wildlife-rich coastal wetlands.
Lula has previously dismissed criticism from conservationists as "meddling," and on Monday, he reiterated his stance against foreign interference. "This means national sovereignty. Any country which has oil of this quality won't allow anyone to butt in," he stated.
Petrobras initiated the deep-water exploratory drilling operation in the area in October 2025. The company's chief executive, Magda Chambriard, confirmed that the discovery validated Petrobras's "optimism" about finding oil in the Brazilian Equatorial Margin. She also affirmed the company's dedication to "ensuring the country's energy security."
President Lula has argued that oil revenues are essential to fund Brazil's transition to non-fossil fuels. On Monday, he insisted, "I'm not denying my commitment to the fight for a day when we no longer need fossil fuels, because Brazil will continue to be the king of biofuel innovation and will remain a major player in renewable energy."
Environmentalists reacted with dismay when Lula approved Petrobras's exploratory drilling just weeks before the COP30 climate conference, hosted by Brazil last November. In his Monday remarks, the president acknowledged the anger at the time, specifically mentioning opposition from Europe.
"Many people didn't want me to announce that Petrobras had won the licence because they said that the Europeans would be annoyed," he said. "I took the decision to announce that people wanted to do exploratory drilling there before COP because the interests of our country and our company were at stake."
The prospect of offshore oil discovery has already stimulated the nearest town. In Oiapoque, Amapá state, the hope of new jobs and opportunities has led to a population increase, according to local housing authorities. With less than two months until the presidential election, Lula aims to attract voters seeking economic development in this remote region of Brazil, without alienating those concerned about potential environmental impacts.