Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) (AFP) - The Brazilian state oil company Petrobras announced this Friday a new discovery of oil in an ultra-deep underwater well located in front of the mouth of the Amazon River, whose drilling has been criticized by environmentalists.

First modification: 02/10/2026 - 21:06

In August the company had celebrated the discovery of the first "signs" of hydrocarbons in this megaproject supported by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who will seek reelection on Sunday.

The new discovery is located about 180 kilometers off the coast of the state of Amapá (northeast), the company reported in a statement.

"In the case of the discovery disclosed in August, the analyzes carried out confirm the good quality of the oil found," the company added.

Lula defends the progressive abandonment of oil to fight climate change, but argues that his country needs these resources to finance the transition.

Both finds are located in a vast maritime region known as the "Equatorial Margin", where neighboring Guyana has discovered huge oil reserves.

This oil exploration outraged environmental organizations, which see it as a risk to a region rich in biodiversity off the coast of the largest rainforest in the world.

Several NGOs unsuccessfully went to court to stop that decision.

As host of the UN COP30 at the end of 2025, Brazil had called on world leaders to present a "road map" for the exit from fossil energies. But his own government has yet to make itss known.

© 2026 AFP

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