Amazonia - Mission Headquarters

Overview

Mission Overview

This mission places you at the helm of Amazonia Energy Exploration LLC (Amazonia), a US–Brazilian joint venture focused on high-stakes oil & gas exploration in the Amazon Basin. Under immense pressure, you must balance corporate recovery with environmental stewardship — while navigating operational challenges and managing community relations in one of the world’s most sensitive regions.

Watch a short overview of the Teaming Missions™ experience.
Team

Your Team

You are the newly appointed management team, stepping in after the previous leadership was dismissed for poor performance. Now, all eyes are on you to restore Amazonia’s reputation, address critical operational issues, and secure the company’s future in a volatile, high-risk environment.

  • Operational discipline: tighten safety, reliability, and environmental controls.
  • Stakeholder confidence: re-establish credibility with regulators, partners, and communities.
  • Results & resilience: deliver measurable progress while building long-term capability.
Amazonia leadership team at work
New leadership, shared mandate
Background

Company History

Amazonia Energy Exploration LLC (Amazonia), founded in 1988 by Patricia Silva, initially aimed to harness the sustainable energy potential of the Amazon Basin, focusing on hydroelectric power. However, facing commercialization challenges, the company shifted its focus to oil and gas in 1993, carving a niche in the Brazilian energy sector. This period of growth also included expansion to new markets in South America (Peru) and Africa (Angola).

In 2010, Amazonia’s growth accelerated through its acquisition by Petrobras, Brazil's state oil entity. This acquisition resulted in Amazonia trading a 51% controlling stake in exchange for new capital, streamlined licensing, access to pipeline infrastructure, global supply chains, and improved technology. The move catalyzed growth in oil and gas exploration, supported sustainable energy innovation, and enabled the launch of community engagement and social responsibility programs. Under Silva's leadership, the company grew operationally and financially while cultivating a reputation for responsible exploration.

Strategic map of the Amazon Basin and Amazonia’s expansion markets
Amazon Basin strategy and expansion footprint.

Two years ago, the company’s trajectory changed following an oil spill during an exploratory drill in the Amazon Basin. The spill, in an ecologically sensitive area, triggered widespread criticism and raised questions about Amazonia’s environmental and operational standards — especially given its relationship with Petrobras.

The incident led to a period of operational and reputational pressure, culminating in a leadership and management reset. The company is now at a crossroads, working to regain trust, demonstrate regulatory compliance, and prove that it can operate responsibly in the Amazon.

Oil spill contamination along the Amazon River in an ecologically sensitive area
Operational incident and environmental impact.
Overview

Ownership & Structure

Petrobras acquired a 51% stake in Amazonia, with the remaining 49% held by US venture capital firm Energy Nexus (Delaware). Energy Nexus specializes in oil and gas exploration with a diversified global portfolio.

Lean structure, dual focus

Amazonia operates with a streamlined organizational structure designed for efficiency. At its heart are the Exploration & Production Division and the Sustainability & Community Engagement Division — reflecting the company’s dual focus on resource development and environmental stewardship.

These core areas are supported by dedicated research and development and logistics functions, enabling disciplined execution, innovation, and dependable delivery across the Amazon Basin.

Amazonia ownership structure diagram
Ownership snapshot and divisional alignment.
Amazonia organizational structure diagram
Organizational structure.
Leadership

Board Co-Chairs

Following its acquisition by Petrobras in 2010, Amazonia’s governance model shifted to co-chairmanship. Patricia Silva and Lucas Mendes, representing Energy Nexus and Petrobras interests respectively, jointly steer the company’s strategic direction. The dual leadership ensures that both the company’s international ambitions and its deep-rooted local commitments are balanced. However, this arrangement also introduces complexities that require a delicate balance of power and constant alignment between co-chairs who have historically held divergent views on key matters related to the environment, operations, and strategic priorities.

Portrait of Patricia Silva, US Board Co-Chair
US Board Co-Chair

Patricia Silva

Patricia Silva is a distinguished leader known for her remarkable ability to drive excellence and achieve results in demanding and environmentally sensitive contexts. Serving as the US Co-Chair of Amazonia, she brings a wealth of expertise in optimizing efficiency, ensuring accountability, and maintaining regulatory compliance in the challenging Amazon Basin. Patricia’s steadfast commitment to operational excellence and her talent for fostering strategic partnerships have played a pivotal role in guiding Amazonia toward a prominent position in the oil and gas exploration sector. Her leadership embodies a culture defined by diligence, determination, and an unwavering dedication to the highest standards of performance.

Portrait of Lucas Mendes, Brazilian Board Co-Chair
Brazilian Board Co-Chair

Lucas Mendes

Lucas Mendes is a prominent figure celebrated for his profound understanding of the intricate dynamics within the Amazon Basin. As the Brazilian Co-Chair of Amazonia, Lucas brings extensive experience in navigating the region’s complexities, including its environmental, social, and political intricacies. His unwavering commitment to sustainable operations and his broad network of influential contacts in both governmental and environmental sectors have been instrumental in guiding Amazonia to success in the Amazon Basin’s oil and gas exploration sector. Lucas’ leadership is characterized by a deep respect for local customs, a dedication to community engagement, and an unwavering pursuit of sustainable practices in the challenging Amazonian environment.

Market

Top Producers — Amazon Basin

The basin’s oil output is concentrated among a handful of leaders. Petrobras leads at 150,000 bpd, followed by South American Energy Co. (85,000) and Continental Oil & Gas (75,000). Amazonia Energy Exploration ranks 6th at 60,000 bpd.

Rank Company Barrels Per Day Nationality
1 PetroBrasil (Petrobras) 150,000 Brazilian
2 South American Energy Co. 85,000 American
3 Continental Oil & Gas 75,000 American
4 Amazonia Petroleum Group 70,000 International
5 Andes Energy Ltd. 65,000 International
6 Amazonia Energy Exploration 60,000 Brazilian–US
7 Rio Amazonia Resources 55,000 Brazilian
8 GreenPalm Energy 50,000 European
9 Equator Oil Corp 45,000 International
10 Delta PetroChem 40,000 International

Hover or focus this table to emphasize rows; collapses to cards on small screens.

Strategy & context

Strategic plan, basin context & the 2022 spill

10-year plan & investment (year 2 of 10)

Amazonia is two years into a 10-year plan to strengthen oil & gas exploration while expanding into biofuels. About $600M is committed across four priorities:

Optimize exploration holdings $150M

Active portfolio management, strict environmental standards.

Expand product offerings $250M

Biofuels & renewable projects supporting Brazil’s transition.

Accelerate digital transformation $100M

Operational efficiency, safety, and lower environmental impact.

Adopt cutting-edge technology $100M

Latest drilling & monitoring tech to lead in innovation.

Full narrative

These priorities reflect Amazonia’s dedication to sustainable and responsible exploration in the Amazon Basin, guiding its approach to meeting Brazil’s energy demands while prioritizing environmental integrity.

The Amazon Basin

Ecology & people

A vast region across Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Bolivia — home to the world’s largest rainforest, critical to the global climate, and to diverse indigenous cultures.

Pressure & trade-offs

Economic activity (agriculture, forestry, mining, oil & gas) drives growth — and risk. Sustainable development hinges on balancing conservation with local needs.

Exploration risks

Deforestation, water contamination, and habitat disruption require advanced, eco-conscious technologies and rigorous safeguards.

Socioeconomic dynamics

Exploration brings jobs and revenue but can stress communities and culture. Collaboration among companies, governments, and indigenous groups is essential.

Read more

Dialogue among corporations, governments, and indigenous groups seeks to reconcile development with preservation, emphasizing rights, participation, and long-term ecological integrity.

2022 spill & overhaul

500kL
Oil spilled
2,000
Hectares affected
500
Villagers impacted
$100M+
Fines & claims

A malfunction during exploratory drilling in an ecologically sensitive area triggered a major incident, prompting criticism over response time, containment, and communications — and renewed scrutiny of exploration in fragile environments.

What changed afterward

Amazonia launched an enterprise-wide overhaul of safety protocols, operating standards, and environmental stewardship, alongside compensation efforts for affected communities.

Operations

Operational Locations

Solimões Basin — Drilling & Collection Site

90 staff (geology, engineering, support). Eco-optimized rigs, precision surveys, and on-site wastewater treatment/recycling for low-impact drilling.

Boa Vista — Drilling & Collection Site

50 staff. Advanced monitoring & strong safety protocols; includes an R&D cell focused on sustainable drilling tech.

Purus Basin — Drilling Site

60 staff. High-spec rigs and geophysics; on-site lab for real-time core analysis to guide precise drilling.

Manaus — Oil Processing Plant

Refining units and QA labs; dedicated environmental compliance team ensures standards are met.

Manaus — Export & Loading Terminal

Automated systems, 75 logistics & marine staff; robust safety and security protocols.

Santarém — Regional Office

Admin hub for logistics, community engagement, and environmental compliance; liaison with indigenous groups.

Strategic view of Amazonia operational locations across the basin
Strategic overview of operational footprint
Regional map highlighting Amazonia locations and connections
Regional network & access routes
Logistics

Oil Distribution Network

Initial Collection & Transport

Crude is gathered at basin sites, stored, then moved to Manaus by pipelines and river barges.

  • Solimões Basin Storage: 150,000 bbl ~400 km SW of Manaus
  • Boa Vista Storage: 120,000 bbl ~150 km NW of Manaus
  • Purus Basin Storage: 100,000 bbl ~175 km SW of Manaus

Processing in Manaus

Crude is refined to spec and prepared for export.

Export Logistics

Processed product moves to the Export & Loading Terminal.

Coordination & Oversight

Santarém office schedules barges and embeds community & compliance.

Risk

Threats & Risks

Aerial view of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest

Environmental

Deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water impacts affecting ecosystems & livelihoods.

Community demonstration highlighting tensions around land rights

Community & Social

Land-rights conflict can trigger delays, protests, and reputational harm.

Map graphic indicating geopolitical boundaries and pressures

Geopolitical & Regulatory

Complex rules & scrutiny raise compliance hurdles; territorial issues add uncertainty.

Security forces inspecting cargo to prevent organized crime

Operational & Security

Remote logistics + risks of theft, sabotage, activism — needs strong controls.

Pre-Briefing Checklist

Before you advance to the Mission Briefing please ensure:

  • everyone has read the information above
  • your Facilitator and all Team Members share a good video connection
Mission Briefing
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