NASA Earth Observatory image modified by SkyTruth
New Report Reveals Chronic Oil Pollution and Escalating Environmental Threats from Brazil’s Offshore Oil and Gas Expansion Ahead of COP 30
179 Oil Slicks Detected as Production Rises 49% and Vessel Traffic Increases 81%
Media contact: Shayna Samuels
Email: shayna@skytruth.org, WhatsApp: +1-718-541-4785
A new report reveals the mounting environmental toll of Brazil’s offshore oil and gas expansion. The report documents 179 probable oil slicks in Brazilian waters since 2017, alongside dramatic increases in oil and gas production, vessel traffic, and methane emissions that threaten the country’s marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The timing is particularly urgent as Brazil’s environmental agency just approved Petrobras to begin exploratory drilling near the mouth of the Amazon River – a decision environmentalists warn undermines Brazil’s credibility as a climate leader.
“As Brazil prepares to host world leaders at a major global climate conference, this report provides concrete evidence of how offshore oil and gas development is already harming the country’s marine ecosystems and climate,” said John Amos, CEO of SkyTruth. “The recent approval of Amazon drilling makes this contradiction even starker. With new exploration planned for the ecologically sensitive Amazon River mouth, the risks are only growing. We need transparent monitoring and accountability — and a strong shift away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy — to protect these important ocean resources.”
Just before COP 30 begins in Brazil next week, a new report reveals the mounting environmental toll of Brazil’s offshore oil and gas expansion. The report documents 179 probable oil slicks in Brazilian waters since 2017, alongside dramatic increases in oil and gas production, vessel traffic, and methane emissions that threaten the country’s marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The timing is particularly urgent as Brazil’s environmental agency just approved Petrobras to begin exploratory drilling near the mouth of the Amazon River – a decision environmentalists warn undermines Brazil’s credibility as a climate leader.
“As Brazil prepares to host world leaders at a major global climate conference, this report provides concrete evidence of how offshore oil and gas development is already harming the country’s marine ecosystems and climate,” said John Amos, CEO of SkyTruth. “The recent approval of Amazon drilling makes this contradiction even starker. With new exploration planned for the ecologically sensitive Amazon River mouth, the risks are only growing. We need transparent monitoring and accountability — and a strong shift away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy — to protect these important ocean resources.”
Key Takeaways
Between 2014 and 2024, Brazil’s oil production increased by more than 49% and natural gas production increased by over 78%.
There was an increase in oil and gas vessel traffic in Brazil’s EEZ by 81% between 2012 and 2023.*
179 probable oil slicks were observed in Sentinel-1 imagery in the Brazilian EEZ since 2017 (48 from oil and gas infrastructure, 131 from vessels). Oil tankers and infrastructure service vessels were responsible for nearly half (47%) of the vessel slicks with verifiable sources.
The oil slick data was collected and analyzed using Cerulean, a free, publicly available technology that uses AI and satellite imagery to track ocean oil pollution and its potential sources around the world.
Floating production and storage vessels (FxOs) have become increasingly utilized in the oil and gas industry. A single FxO in the Santos Basin was responsible for 9 slicks. Another FxO location saw an increase in vessel traffic by 430% after it went into operation.
Oil and gas facilities within Brazil’s EEZ were observed to flare 12.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas since 2012, equivalent to the annual emissions of about 6.9 million passenger cars.
Three methane plumes, each large enough to be considered a super-emitter event at over 100 kg of methane per hour, were captured on the same day in April 2025 from offshore oil and gas infrastructure in the Santos Basin.
There are 162 producing fields and 143 exploration blocks in the Brazilian EEZ. In addition, Petrobras has started exploration for 9 blocks in ecologically sensitive habitats near the mouth of the Amazon River, and has recently been granted approval to drill at a site located 500km from the river mouth.
Of Brazil’s ecologically important habitats, including corals, mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes, and seamounts, about 36% fall into MPAs, leaving 64% vulnerable to impacts including from the oil and gas industry. Impacts from oil and gas development on these habitats are already visible in Brazil — 12 production fields overlap with both mangrove and coral habitats.
92% of warm-water corals are within Brazil’s marine protected areas, as well as 77% of mangroves, 35% of seamounts, 11% of kelp forests, 1% of cold-water corals, but none of the seagrass and saltmarsh habitats.
13 of the 160 Marine protected areas (MPAs) in Brazil overlap with oil and gas infrastructure, lease blocks, or detected oil slicks, and nearly all of the MPAs have some amount of oil-related vessel traffic moving through them. Two protected areas near the city of Salvador were particularly impacted by oil and gas development, vessel traffic and oil pollution. The Área De Proteção Ambiental Plataforma Continental Do Litoral Norte and the Área De Proteção Ambiental Baía De Todos Os Santos both contain coral and mangrove habitats that are important for biodiversity and climate protection.
There are 20 important marine mammal areas (IMMAs) that cover over a quarter of Brazil’s EEZ. Only about 6% of the IMMA area falls within marine protected areas, leaving 94% of these important habitats unprotected.
Implications for Climate and Conservation
Brazil’s offshore expansion directly contradicts its commitment to climate neutrality by 2050 and the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target. By 2040, Brazil is projected to produce about 50% of the world’s offshore oil – a level incompatible with global climate goals. As Brazil positions itself to lead international climate discussions at COP 30, the disconnect between its climate rhetoric and fossil fuel expansion has drawn sharp criticism from environmental advocates worldwide.
The report also highlights serious threats to Brazil’s marine biodiversity. Only about 12% of the area that falls within the country’s 160 Marine Protected Areas is fully or highly protected, covering just 3.2% of the Brazilian EEZ. The Southwest Atlantic Humpback Migratory Corridor, which passes through the heavily industrialized Campos and Santos basins, is particularly at risk, with 73 oil slicks, 49 floating production vessels, and 20 operational oil platforms observed within the corridor.
“The patterns we’re documenting – chronic oil pollution, coastal industrialization, habitat loss and degradation – represent significant threats to Brazil’s coastal ecology and economy,” said Amos. “Brazil has a window of opportunity to pivot from this extractive offshore legacy toward a future where ocean wealth is measured in healthy reefs, thriving fisheries, and resilient coastal communities. But that window is closing.”
Preview the report below or download the report and graphics here.
Download the report and graphics here.
