Governor-elect Dr. Furlan takes office in Amapá with the mission of preparing the state for the new cycle of clean energy and oil exploration in the Equatorial Margin.
The recent discovery of oil reserves by Petrobras in the Equatorial Margin, located 175 kilometers off the coast of Amapá, places the state at the center of attention in the national energy sector. With estimates pointing to a production potential of at least 41 billion barrels, the region is emerging as the primary alternative to guarantee the country’s energy security and succeed the declining reserves of the pre-salt layer, expected in the coming decade.
For governor-elect Dr. Furlan, the challenge goes far beyond resource extraction. The moment demands a profound transformation in the state’s economy, which currently has a low profile on the national stage. The arrival of the new oil and gas industry promises to bring billions in investments, resembling the economic impacts observed in municipalities in Rio de Janeiro such as Maricá and Macaé.
Infrastructure and Logistics as Pillars of Growth
Preparing Amapá’s territory to receive large offshore operations requires urgent advances in vital sectors such as transportation, urban mobility, sanitation, and port capacity. The state administration’s government plan outlines direct coordination with the federal government to accelerate the paving of strategic sections of the BR-156 highway, which is essential for connecting the capital Macapá to the municipality of Oiapoque, the closest point to the exploration area.
In the port sector, studies are focused on the feasibility of establishing logistic support bases at the Port of Santana or in dedicated terminals. The goal is to ensure that all operational supplies originate within the state, strengthening the local supply chain and boosting sectors such as hospitality, food services, and specialized industries.
Legal Certainty and Energy Transition
Dr. Furlan stated:
The consolidation of the oil and gas industry in the Equatorial Margin represents a unique opportunity to transform the state’s economy, but its benefits will only be fully realized if the state is prepared to receive these investments.
In addition to physical infrastructure, the state administration intends to modernize bureaucratic processes to ensure greater efficiency in issuing environmental licenses and permits. The proposal seeks to balance rigorous economic development with legal certainty, fully respecting current environmental legislation and the sustainability guidelines that guide the debate on the energy transition.
The development project also includes the creation of an Export Processing Zone (ZPE) and initial financial contributions of R$ 40 million to resume stalled public works across Amapá’s 16 municipalities. The strategy of integration between public authorities, universities, and the private sector aims to train the local workforce, ensuring that the economic boom generates lasting legacies for the population of Amapá in the coming decades.
