Fifteen years after the law that created the Pre-Salt Social Fund (FS), a report by the Institute of Socioeconomic Studies (Inesc) concluded that the fund has failed to fulfill its promise of financially supporting a strategy for development and alleviation of inequalities in Brazil. The report highlights governance failures as a major reason for the fund's limited impact on social development despite significant oil revenues generated from Brazil's pre-salt reserves.

The 15th anniversary of the FS, marked in December, coincides with discussions about a potential new fund focused on oil exploration in the Foz do Amazonas basin. Lucas Abrahão, the federal deputy responsible for the legislation to create this new fund, indicated that he would use the pre-salt fund as a cautionary example, pointing to the lack of stringent rules regarding the allocation and application of the fund's resources. His statements emphasize the need for improved governance and more robust regulations to ensure that future funds can effectively contribute to public welfare.

Originally created in late 2010, the FS was intended to maximize societal benefits derived from Brazil's pre-salt oil reserves. However, the realization of its intended goals has been called into question, suggesting a need for reform in how oil revenues are channeled to support social development initiatives and reduce long-standing inequalities in the country. This reflects broader concerns within Brazil regarding the management of resource wealth and its equitable distribution to all citizens.