The safety measures that usually define offshore oil exploration have not prevented an increase in accidents in Brazil. In 2024, the sector recorded the highest number of incidents since the beginning of its historical series in 2011.

The data comes from the latest report by the ANP (National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels).

A total of 731 accidents were recorded in some stage of offshore oil exploration last year. This amounts to an average of two accidents per day. In 2023, the sector had recorded 718 accidents, and the year before that, 598 incidents.

Safety concerns are central to discussions about the licensing process for Block 59, one of the areas already auctioned in the Amazon River Mouth Basin, which is part of the Equatorial Margin region. The government has faced political backlash for pushing this process forward.

Asked about the record number of accidents in 2024, the ANP stated in a press release that "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."

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