The National Agency of Petroleum (ANP) has announced that it is launching an investigation into a possible oil find in Tabuleiro do Norte, a municipality in Ceará, Brazil. This discovery was made by a farmer who was drilling the soil in search of water to supply his livestock. In November 2024, the farmer reported the presence of a liquid that has raised questions about its nature, prompting the ANP to take a closer look into the situation.

Prior to the ANP's involvement, the potential oil discovery was already under examination by the Federal Institute of Ceará (IFCE), which conducted laboratory tests on the liquid sample. The tests indicated that the sample shares the same physical and chemical characteristics as oil extracted from nearby fields in Rio Grande do Norte. Despite these encouraging results, the ANP has emphasized that only they can provide official confirmation of the substance's authenticity and nature, establishing the critical role of government oversight in natural resource exploration.

The family of the farmer and the IFCE first reached out to the ANP in July 2025 to report the find, but there was initially no response from the agency. Now, as the ANP has confirmed its awareness of the situation, they will proceed with their investigation and coordinate with the relevant environmental authorities. This situation highlights the intersection of agriculture and resource extraction in Brazil, and raises questions regarding the implications of extracting oil in a region primarily known for its agricultural activities.