Brazil denies Total’s appeal to drill at Amazon


12/28/2018

Brazilian authorities have denied French Total to issue a license to drill exploration wells at the mouth of the Amazon, reports EFE, citing a statement from the Brazilian Institute for Environmental Protection and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).



Keith Edkins
“Total could not provide convincing evidence that the drilling of wells complies with the requirements,” Ibama notes. The project of the French company has been "insufficiently developed" from the point of view of environmental protection. According to environmentalists, drilling at the mouth of the Amazon threatens a unique coral reef discovered in the area in 2016.

Ibama’s decision is final and cannot be challenged.

Total's plans to drill exploration wells at the mouth of the Amazon have caused outrage among the public and environmental specialists. In France, activists of the local branch of the environmental organization Greenpeace are protesting against Total’s projects at the mouth of the Amazon. They have painted fountains in major French cities in black.

Oil reserves in the mouth of the Amazon may reach 14 billion barrels.

source: efe.com