The Opportunities and Risks Associated with Exploitation of New Oilfields in Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12797/AdAmericam.17.2016.17.11

Keywords:

Brazil, energy politics, Petrobras, energy sector, pre-salt oilfields

Abstract

Brazil’s domestic energy production has risen in recent years, particularly since the discovery in 2007 of large oil and gas deposits in its pre-salt oilfields. This was an important event in the history of the energy sector in Brazil. The discovery of the new oil fields may be an opportunity for Brazil to improve its energy security and strengthen its position in the international arena. But the future of energy security of Brazil may be threatened by a recent scandal with country’s biggest energy company, Petrobras, mired in national debt, low oil prices, and the potential hazards of the oil industry for the environment. This article reviews the potential benefits and risks of exploitation of Brazil’s new oil deposits.

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Author Biography

Edyta Chwiej, Jagiellonian University, Poland

Ph.D. – graduate of the Institute of Political Science and International Relations at the Jagiellonian University. Her main fields of interest include policy issues in international relations of the Western Hemisphere, Polish foreign policy after 1989, and global demographic problems. Author of the book: MERCOSUR. Organizacja regionalnej współpracy gospodarczej w Ameryce Łacińskiej (Kraków 2010) and numerous articles related to contemporary international relations.

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Published

2016-12-30

How to Cite

Chwiej, E. “The Opportunities and Risks Associated With Exploitation of New Oilfields in Brazil”. Ad Americam, vol. 17, Dec. 2016, pp. 149-62, doi:10.12797/AdAmericam.17.2016.17.11.

Issue

Vol. 17 (2016)

Section

Focus on: Latin American Studies

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Copyright (c) 2016 Edyta Chwiej

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