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| Author(s): |
Alessandro Donaire de Santana
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | Presidente Prudente. 2023-03-23. |
| Institution: | Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia. Presidente Prudente |
| Defense date: | 2022-07-29 |
| Advisor: | João Osvaldo Rodrigues Nunes |
| Abstract | |
The threshold of the 21st century consolidates the exploration and exploitation of unconventional energy resources in several countries through hydraulic fracturing (fracking). This economic activity is shrouded in questions due to its associated environmental impacts and conflicts. In Brazil, the 12th Bidding Round for Oil and Gas in 2013, promoted by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), awarded the winning companies, under the concession regime, the right to operate exploratory blocks in main terrestrial sedimentary basins with deposits of these resources, giving rise to several anti-fracking actions in the country. In this sense, the central hypothesis of the thesis was based on the concept that the environmental conflicts triggered by the 12th Bidding Round resulted in the perception that hydraulic fracturing would lead to negative environmental impacts, as evidenced by territorial disputes across social and economic groups. For this reason, the general objective of the study is to analyze the correlation of forces among various agents, social groups, and competitive economic sectors in relation to the appropriation and degradation of natural resources. The study takes the West of São Paulo and the Midwest of Paraná as geographical delimitations and considers the contexts of fossil capitalism and divergent interests in these territories. Therefore, the study analyzes this phenomenon in light of the concept of environmental conflict, which was appropriated from political ecology and served as the theoretical basis of the investigation. We employed the literature review, research and document analyses, field work, and interviews as methodological procedures. The results pointed to the prominence of movements against fracking. However, we captured the controversy regarding the issue during interviews with representatives of the academy and the ANP. The interviewees recognized not only the negative environmental impacts but also the potential positive aspects of the technique, which were notably related to the promotion of territorial development. In view of this result, field work was conducted in the provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro (Argentina), specifically in the sedimentary basin of Neuquén and the Vaca Muerta Formation. This region is the largest producer of unconventional energy resources in Latin America; thus, field work was essential to make the analyses more accurate because it enabled an understanding of the environmental impacts and conflicts caused by hydraulic fracturing in the territories. Two nonprofit organizations (NGOs), namely, COESUS and 350.org Brasil, used the Argentine and American examples in anti-fracking campaigns. They articulated political and economic agents, such as the Federal Public Ministry and other entities and social groups, in the construction of a strong opposition to the technique, which led to the suspension of the 12th Bidding Round by the Federal Court. In the West of São Paulo and Midwest of Paraná, mobilization also resulted in the approval of laws that prohibit the activity in several municipalities. In this context, the interviews conducted with the representatives of the municipalities of Presidente Prudente and Cascavel revealed their revulsion against fracking. They also voiced concerns about the impacts on agribusiness as the main motivation for the approval of the anti-fracking legislation in their territories. In summary, the study found that political and economic agents with assistance from the NGOs played a major role in this cause. The economic power of agribusiness, mainly in Paraná, conveniently appropriated the defense of environmental guidelines to deter unconventional exploitation in territories historically dominated by this sector. The major reason was the fear of losing areas with a thriving production of agricultural commodities. In any case, the scenario of environmental degradation and conflicts verified, as evidenced in Vaca Muerta, calls into question the arguments of people who defend the activity as an inducer of territorial development. In the Latin American context, gains are concentrated in the hands of a few, and burdens are shared by the majority of the population in the territories. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 18/13693-8 - The energy of the territories and the nature of the socio-environmental conflicts arising from the 12th Gas Petroleum Bidding Round, in Pontal do Paranapanema/SP and in the Midwest of the State of Paraná |
| Grantee: | Alessandro Donaire de Santana |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |