REGULATORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES OF DECOMMISSIONING THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY IN BRAZIL

Offshore decommissioning has become a strategic issue for Brazil’s oil and gas sector, requiring alignment between industrial practices, environmental regulation, and international standards. This study critically analyzes ANP Resolution No. 817/2020, highlighting its advances and limitations in comparison with international instruments such as IMO guidelines, the OSPAR Convention, the Basel Convention, and the Hong Kong Convention. The research adopts a qualitative approach, based on literature review, documentary analysis, and a survey applied to sector specialists. The findings indicate progress in consolidating technical and environmental criteria and incorporating the concept of sustainable decommissioning. However, significant gaps remain, including the absence of standardized methodologies for cumulative impact assessment, insufficient guidelines for the management of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), institutional fragmentation, and limited incentives for circular economy practices. The study concludes that, although it represents a relevant regulatory milestone, RANP 817/20 requires normative updating and stronger international convergence to ensure environmental sustainability, legal certainty, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.