In 2024, Brazil’s offshore oil exploration sector recorded a total of 731 accidents, the highest since 2011. This increase raises safety concerns, particularly related to the licensing of Block 59 in the Amazon region. The ANP connects the rise in incidents to intensified exploration activities.
Brazil’s offshore oil exploration sector has experienced a significant surge in accidents, reaching a record high in 2024. According to a report from the National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP), there were 731 incidents reported in the last year, marking an average of two accidents daily. This increase is notable compared to 718 incidents in 2023 and 598 in 2022.
The rise in accidents raises critical safety concerns, particularly regarding the ongoing licensing of Block 59 in the Amazon River Mouth Basin, part of the Equatorial Margin region. The government’s decision to advance these processes has faced considerable political opposition amidst growing safety apprehensions.
Responding to inquiries about the alarming accident rates, the ANP stated that “the figure can be understood as a consequence of increased activity in the country, with the entry of several production units, as well as the strong resumption of exploration and drilling of new wells.” This explanation underscores the correlation between heightened exploration efforts and a rise in safety incidents.
The offshore oil exploration sector in Brazil recorded a disturbing rise in accidents in 2024, with the highest number of incidents since 2011. The record of 731 accidents has raised significant safety concerns, particularly with respect to new explorations in politically sensitive areas like Block 59. The ANP attributes this increase to expanded operational activities as exploration and drilling intensify in response to market demands.
Original Source: www1.folha.uol.com.br
