Haddad, Brazil's Haddad, supports research on oil deposits near the mouth of Amazon
Fernando Haddad, the Finance Minister of Brazil, said that while the search for oil near the mouth the Amazon River must continue in Brazil, any discoveries made should not slow down the country's transition towards cleaner energy.
The mouth of the Amazon, a vast area stretching between Rio Grande do Norte (Northern Brazil) and Amapa (Southern Brazil), is the area that has the most potential for oil discovery in Brazil's Equatorial Margin.
"I'm in favor of doing research. I think it is important to find out what there is. Haddad told local media outlet GloboNews that the oil, if it exists, cannot be used as an excuse to delay energy transition.
The site is located in the Amazon basin and potential drilling for oil has raised a lot of controversy.
Lula, the Brazilian President Luiz inacio Lula da So defends exploration efforts. Other elements of the government, however, are concerned that the opening of new hydrocarbons projects in environmentally sensitive areas is in direct opposition to the global quest for cleaner energies.
Haddad called on Brazil to reduce its dependence on oil. He argued that this could be achieved by investing more in alternative energy sources.
He said that Brazil has led this process for many decades. (Reporting and writing by Bernardo Caram, Oliver Griffin, David Holmes).
(source: Reuters)
