Guidelines for Promoting Decarbonization for Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities (Brazil)

In August 2024, Brazil's National Energy Council Policy issued guidelines for decarbonizing activities related to the exploration and production of oil and gas. The guidelines declare that it is in the interest of the National Energy Policy to reduce GHG emissions from projects related to the exploration and production of oil and gas. 

Among other relevant provisions, the guidelines call for: 

• minimizing natural gas flaring and eliminating routine flaring; 
• reducing Brazil's methane emissions from oil and gas activities, consistent with Brazil's commitments under the UNFCC and the Global Methane Pledge; 
• stimulating the creation and adoption of new technologies to decarbonize the exploration and production of oil and gas; and
• adopting best practices and technologies that reduce GHG emissions from oil and gas activities. 

In addition to the above, the guidelines direct the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (Brazil's oil and gas regulator) and Brazil's Petroleum and Natural Gas Management Company to analyse options for reducing carbon intensity and mitigating GHG emissions in the context of their respective responsibilities. The National Agency is also directed to adopt measures for reducing GHG emissions from oil and gas activities, including fugitive methane emissions. The National Agency and the Management Company are also directed to promote transparency of GHG indicators for exploration and production projects.

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