ANP fines Petrobras for critical safety procedure failures on deepwater drilling rig in Foz do Amazonas

The ANP issued an infraction notice against Petrobras following a February 2026 audit of the NS ODN-II sonda, which is engaged in drilling the Morpho prospect, the first well in deep waters of the Foz do Amazonas basin. The audit uncovered seven procedural deviations related to the rig’s System of Operational Safety Management (SGSO), including a critical nonconformity involving failures in the testing, inspection, and maintenance processes of the rig’s fire-fighting pumps. Although equipment functionality was not questioned, the supervisory system failed to ensure operational readiness under the highest demand scenarios.

Besides the critical fault, the ANP identified five other serious irregularities including outdated safety analysis documents, inadequate quality assurance in pump inspections, poor documentation control, insufficient emergency drills, and failure to follow design performance criteria for the deluge systems. Petrobras was given deadlines ranging from 30 to 90 days to correct these shortcomings and has 15 days to submit its defense, facing possible fines from R$5,000 to R$2 million.

This infraction followed a separate January incident when 18,440 liters of non-aqueous drilling fluid were accidentally discharged into the sea near the Foz do Amazonas, resulting in a R$2.5 million fine imposed by the Brazilian environmental agency (Ibama). Petrobras stated that the fire-fighting system complies fully with operational requirements and has passed practical tests, attributing ANP’s findings to documentary inconsistencies rather than functional deficiencies. The company has committed to cooperating with the ANP to improve process documentation and regulatory compliance.

The Morpho well in the Margem Equatorial region is a strategic asset in Petrobras’ efforts to replenish reserves amid declining pre-salt output. The basin’s promising geology parallels recent discoveries off neighboring countries, underscoring its significance for Brazil’s oil future. However, the regulatory actions highlight the operational risks and heightened regulatory environment facing Brazil’s emerging offshore exploration frontiers.