The Brazilian Government has taken a decisive step forward in national energy policy by authorizing the expansion of areas offered for oil and gas exploration in deepwater and ultra-deepwater in the Campos, Santos, and Espírito Santo basins. The landmark decision, developed jointly by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA), establishes stronger foundations for sector planning by aligning economic development, energy security, and environmental responsibility.

With this measure, the country creates the conditions to hold the largest production sharing round ever organized in Brazil, significantly expanding the number of areas available for exploration. The expected impact is direct on the economy, with the generation of public revenues, attraction of long-term investments, and strengthening of the oil and gas supply chain, producing positive effects on employment, income, and regional development.

As an immediate outcome, the decision authorizes the inclusion of 18 new blocks in the Permanent Production Sharing Offer, adding to the eight already provided for in the current bidding notice, enabling an unprecedented round with 26 blocks. Estimates point to up to R$ 3.2 billion in signature bonuses, R$ 1.6 trillion in government revenues throughout the life cycle of the contracts, and approximately R$ 1.4 trillion in investments, with significant impacts on the economy and the sector’s value chain.

Beyond expanding the immediate availability of areas, the initiative strengthens the State’s role in regulating and structuring the sector. The National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) will have greater flexibility to structure future offerings in the already assessed areas, reducing uncertainties, facilitating corporate planning, and making Brazil more competitive on the international stage.

The measure is part of the strategic agenda of Potencializa E&P, a program guiding the Brazilian Government’s actions to unlock investments, strengthen domestic production, and ensure that pre-salt resources are converted into economic development, public revenue, and energy sovereignty, with a long-term vision.