Brazil’s offshore oil exploration recorded a record high of 731 accidents in 2024, according to the ANP. This reflects a continuous upward trend from previous years, prompting safety concerns, particularly regarding the licensing of Block 59. The ANP attributes the increase to greater activity and the introduction of new production units.
In 2024, offshore oil exploration in Brazil has experienced a notable surge in accidents, marking the highest incidence rate since records began in 2011. Data from the National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP) indicates that 731 accidents occurred last year, averaging about two incidents per day. This is an increase from the 718 accidents reported in 2023 and 598 in 2022.
Safety considerations are becoming a focal point in discussions regarding the licensing of Block 59, a newly auctioned area in the Amazon River Mouth Basin, part of the Equatorial Margin region. The Brazilian government is encountering political criticism for advancing this licensing process despite growing safety concerns.
In a release addressing the record number of accidents in 2024, ANP officials remarked, “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.”
The increase in offshore oil exploration accidents in Brazil highlights significant safety challenges despite existing measures. With record numbers reported in 2024, attention is turning to regulatory practices and the implications of intensified exploration efforts. The ANP attributes the rising figures to heightened activity in the sector, which calls for a reassessment of safety protocols.
Original Source: www1.folha.uol.com.br
