On the surface, this doesn't sound like a step in the right direction. The oil spill in Brazil has been a serious problem and the follow up by the local prosecutor suggested that Big Oil might be held accountable for their actions. Shouldn't those most impacted by the oil disaster be at the center of any court case? It's their region that was damaged, so why shift the location of the case?
A judge in Campos, Brazil, could shift the criminal charges filed against Chevron and drill-rig operator Transocean to Rio de Janeiro, a decision that would remove a crusading prosecutor from the case.
Eduardo Santos de Oliveira, a federal prosecutor based in Campos, in Rio de Janeiro's interior, told Reuters on Friday a jurisdictional review is under way, which could delay any formal criminal indictment of the firms and their employees for weeks.
Oliveira filed criminal charges against Chevron, Transocean and 17 of their employees in Brazil this week for alleged crimes related to a November offshore oil spill in Brazil's Frade field, which Chevron operates.
