On Tuesday, June 18, 2025, Brazil concluded a two-day auction that offered land and potential oil sites near the Amazon River.
The auction, held on June 17 and 18 in Rio de Janeiro, aimed to expand production in unexplored regions. The event was organized by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP). It took place months before Brazil hosts the UN's climate talks in the Amazon.
Nineteen offshore blocks were awarded to Chevron, ExxonMobil, Petrobras, and CNPC. The auction concluded with 34 oil blocks awarded, with signing bonuses totaling USD 180 million.
Environmental and Indigenous groups protested, citing potential risks to ecosystems and communities. Critics have expressed concern about the contradiction between increasing fossil fuel production and promoting environmental initiatives, especially in anticipation of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil.