Brazil: President  Lula Visits Petrobras Drilling Rig In Equatorial Margin

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited a Petrobras drilling rig on Monday as the state-run oil company conducts exploratory work in deep waters off the country’s northern coast, the company said.

Lula visited the NS-42 rig, which is drilling the Morpho well off the coast of Amapa in Brazil’s Equatorial Margin, accompanied by Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard and senior government officials, including Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira.

Petrobras has reported the presence of hydrocarbons at the Morpho well, where it is carrying out exploratory drilling to assess the area’s potential.

The visit comes as Petrobras advances exploration plans in Brazil’s Equatorial Margin, an area that the company sees as having significant oil and gas potential.

Also accompanying Lula were Chief of Staff Miriam Belchior and Senate President David Alcolumbre.

The Equatorial Margin stretches along Brazil’s northern coast and has attracted growing interest from oil companies, although exploration there has faced environmental scrutiny.