After having its first request denied by Ibama in 2018, Total once again began an environmental licensing for drilling on Foz do Amazonas.
All the 7 blocks on the basin’s deepwater sector were acquired in 2013 through the 11th bid round: 5 operated by Total, 1 by BP, and one by Enauta.
The 3 operators requested drilling licenses in 2014, and Total seemed to be the most committed, with 9 new wells across 3 blocks.
However, after Ibama‘s refusal, the new drilling program looks a little different. The block FZA-M-57, previously with 4 planned wells, now only has 3, while the block FZA-M-127 has only 1 planned well, one less than what was outlined in 2014. In total, they intend to drill 7 wells.
In the last few years, significant discoveries on both Guiana and Suriname raised discussions around the potential on Foz do Amazonas deep and ultradeep sectors, as these areas possess analogs to announced fields.

New wells being licensed by Total in Foz do Amazonas.
