The decision sparks strong criticism from environmental organizations that call it "catastrophic from an environmental, climate and socio-biological diversity perspective".
The oil expansion plans are also considered to clash heavily with President Lula da Silva's image as a global leader in the climate issue. Brazil will host the climate meeting COP30 in the Amazon city of Belém next month.
da Silva claims, however, that the oil revenues will contribute to financing Brazil's climate transition.
Petrobras, which has been working for five years to obtain permission to explore the area, announces that the drilling in the Foz do Amazonas region will begin immediately and will last for five months.
