Analysis of Stakeholder Discourses on Petroleum Exploration and Production in the Brazilian Equatorial Margin

The exploration and production (E&P) of oil and natural gas in the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, particularly at the Amazon River Mouth, has become a subject of intense national and international debate. This study analyzes public discourses related to those activities within the context of Brazil’s environmental commitments under the Paris Agreement. The analysis spans the period from President Lula da Silva’s third inauguration, in January 2023, to May 2024, focusing on political and economic approaches. The method involved systematic literature review, discourse analysis, and content analysis, using the Atlas TI software as a content analysis tool to manage, code and categorize textual data. The results show the predominance of the right to development, ecological modernization, and energy clout narratives. The common but differentiated responsibilities narrative is deeply rooted in these dominant narratives and undermines the opposition to oil production in the Brazilian Equatorial Margin. The analysis reveal the complexity of the discursive coalitions formed and simultaneously offers insights to help public policymakers balance economic development, energy security, and environmental sustainability.