Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) has refused to give permission to French firm Total to drill in the mouth of the Amazon Basin.
According to Ibama, the decision is a crucial step towards defending the Amazon Reef, which is a largely unexplored ecosystem.
Total is operating in a joint venture with BP to explore oil reserves in Amazon Basin. The nearest block of Total is around 8km away from the Amazon Reef.
Ibama president Suely Araujo said that Total had not offered enough information about the environmental impact of the project, avoiding it to grant the license.
Total has reported that there is a 30% probability of oil reaching the Reef in case of a spill in its own environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Ibama has provided Total with one more chance to send additional documentation about the project.
Ibama has also said that the project will pose potential cross border risks to French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela and Caribbean archipelagos.
In addition, Brazilian regulator said the firm has not provided information about possible impacts to the welfare of mammals, turtles and birds that live in the region
Araujo further added “This will be the third and last time that the Agency is willing to allow Total to provide adequate information about the environmental impact of the project.
“If Total does not adequately address the outstanding requests from the technical team, the licensing process will be finally archived.”