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Lula: Petrobras close to announcing oil findings in Equatorial Margin

2 sources · 28 May 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Petrobras is close to announcing whether the Equatorial Margin contains oil or gas in the preliminarily estimated quantities. The Amazon region could hold reserves of at least 30 billion barrels, according to National Petroleum Agency data cited by the state company.

Press quotes (2)
Brasil de Fato

"O presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) disse que falta pouco para a Petrobras anunciar se na Margem Equatorial há a quantidade de petróleo ou de gás estimadas preliminarmente"

Brasil de Fato

"As reservas estimadas são de pelo menos 30 bilhões de barris de petróleo, segundo a Petrobras, citando dados da Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP)"

"We obviously have great responsibility to extract oil there, and we have an advantage which is Petrobras' expertise, the best company in the world for deep-water prospecting," Lula said Wednesday (27) in an interview with Jornal do Amazonas in Manaus. The president said he was "calm" regarding the possibility of exploration in the region.

Press quotes (1)
Brasil de Fato

"Temos, obviamente, muita responsabilidade para extrair petróleo lá, e temos uma vantagem que é a expertise da Petrobras, a melhor empresa do mundo para fazer prospecção em águas profundas. Portanto, nós estamos tranquilos com relação à possibilidade", disse o presidente nesta quarta-feira (27), em entrevista ao Jornal do Amazonas, em Manaus"

The Ministry of Mines and Energy's expectation, announced in 2025, is that the Equatorial Margin will become a new pre-salt. Lula said oil presence would be positive for the development of the entire North Region, not just Amapá.

Press quotes (2)
Brasil de Fato

"A expectativa do Ministério de Minas e Energia, anunciada em 2025, é de que a Margem Equatorial se torne um novo pré-sal"

Brasil de Fato

"O presidente acrescentou que a presença de petróleo na região seria positiva para o desenvolvimento da Região Norte como um todo, e não apenas do Amapá"

The president also announced that Petrobras will return to exploring oil in locations abandoned in recent years and expand other wells. The state company will drill 18 new wells in Urucu, in the Solimões Basin, one of the country's main onshore oil areas. "We will return to prospect in places that had been abandoned. We won't waste time," he concluded.

Press quotes (2)
Brasil de Fato

"Lula anunciou também na entrevista que a estatal voltará a explorar petróleo em outras localidades abandonadas nos últimos anos e que outros poços, como o de Urucu, no interior da floresta amazônica, podem ser ampliados"

Brasil de Fato

"Vamos fazer 18 novos poços ali para ver se a gente consegue encontrar mais coisa. Voltaremos a prospectar em lugares que tinham sido abandonados. Não vamos perder tempo"

1. What we know (3)

Lula gave interview to Jornal do Amazonas in Manaus on Wednesday (27)

2 sources Brasil de Fato Opera Mundi

Equatorial Margin reserves estimated at least 30 billion barrels

2 sources Brasil de Fato Opera Mundi

Petrobras will drill 18 new wells in Urucu in Solimões Basin

2 sources Brasil de Fato Opera Mundi
2. Where coverage thins out (0)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

No gaps or divergences found — sources converge.

3. What we don't know yet (4)
  • What is the specific timeline for Petrobras' announcement about Equatorial Margin findings?

    Why it's still unknown: The president only said it would be 'soon' without specifying dates

  • What are the environmental implications of Equatorial Margin exploration?

    Why it's still unknown: No source addressed environmental issues or licensing

    Did not cover: Brasil de Fato Opera Mundi
  • What investment is needed to develop exploration in the region?

    Why it's still unknown: No values or investment timeline were disclosed

    Did not cover: Brasil de Fato Opera Mundi
  • Which 'abandoned places' will Petrobras return to prospect besides Urucu?

    Why it's still unknown: The president mentioned other locations without specifying which ones

All sources

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