Uruguay has authorized seismic studies in deep waters of the South Atlantic to determine whether the country has offshore oil reserves. File Photo by Eugene Garcia/EPA
Uruguay’s government has approved seismic studies in deep waters of the South Atlantic to determine whether the country has offshore oil reserves — a decision moving forward with support from major oil companies, but facing objections from scientists and environmental groups.
Operations are to occur hundreds of miles from Uruguay’s mainland.
The work was awarded to Apache, Petroleum Geo-Services, Compagnie Générale de Géophysique Veritas, Searcher and major partners, such as Shell, Chevron, Argentina’s YPF and Italy’s ENI.
The seismic technique uses air guns that release high-intensity sound pulses to create images of the seafloor.
These pulses, which can exceed 250 decibels, have raised concerns because they affect species that rely on sound to survive, including whales, dolphins and other marine mammals. Researchers also warn of impacts on fish, larvae and zooplankton, the base of the food chain.
As a precaution, the Environment Ministry ordered crews to halt activity immediately if marine life is detected within 3,300 feet of the vessel, a stricter standard than the usual 1.640 feet.
The ministry says the final authorization will include additional conditions to reduce risks.
However, environmental organizations argue the measures are insufficient, and they have filed legal action to suspend the studies until an independent assessment of all cumulative impacts is completed.
They contend the activity could cause irreversible damage to one of the most sensitive ecosystems in the South Atlantic.
The debate is growing as the government also considers creating new marine protected areas that, according to local media, overlap with some of the areas granted for exploration.
These areas include underwater canyons and cold-water coral mounds, which are considered fragile ecosystems of high ecological value.
Environment Minister Edgardo Ortuño said Uruguay aims to expand its network of protected areas to cover 30% of its maritime territory, but defended the need to move forward with the studies to determine whether the country has deep-water energy potential.
Amid the debate, Apache announced it plans to drill an exploratory well in 2026 in a block more than 124 miles offshore and in waters deeper than 6.560 feet..
YPF expressed optimism, comparing the potential to recent discoveries off Namibia.
