Coverage sponsorship

Marcello Weyght (photo), Natural Gas Director at the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), stated that Brazil and Argentina are close to a strategic agreement on natural gas commercialization. The announcement was made at Rio Pipeline & Logistics, an event organized by the Brazilian Petroleum and Gas Institute (IBP), which concludes this Thursday (11) and features a comprehensive program of panels, workshops, and an exhibition area for companies in the sector.

The memorandum provides for the supply of gas from the Vaca Muerta field, with initial volumes of 2 million cubic meters per day allocated to Brazil in the short term, potentially reaching 10 million m³/day within three years and up to 30 million m³/day starting in 2030.

“In general, the key takeaway is that we have never been so close to making this integration happen, not only because of the existing pipelines, but also due to the ongoing dialogue and mobilization of the stakeholders involved,” said Weyght.

Ernesto López Anadón, President of the Instituto Argentino del Petróleo y del Gas (IAPG), reinforced this collaborative vision, stressing the importance of Southern Cone countries leveraging Vaca Muerta’s gas resources. Anadón emphasized that energy integration will take place when business actors move forward, generating agreements and deals, with governments facilitating the process through appropriate regulations.

Leonardo Macchia, Commercial Vice President at Tecnopetrol, highlighted that demand is a decisive factor for exports to occur in a sustainable, long-term manner. “Brazil needs to be willing to sign long-term supply contracts to make the pipelines viable.”

For IBP President Roberto Ardenghy, who moderated the panel, integration between the two countries is strategic. “Argentina today represents a very interesting alternative for the Brazilian gas market,” he concluded.

Logistics for Operations in the Equatorial Margin

Amid discoveries in Guyana and Suriname, Petrobras highlighted the immense geological potential of the Equatorial Margin and the robust logistical structure required in light of infrastructure challenges in the region. Jonilton Pessoa, Petrobras’ Executive Manager of Exploration, emphasized the geological similarities with neighboring, highly successful areas.

Petrobras is awaiting Ibama’s response following the Pre-Operational Assessment (APO), a large-scale emergency drill to test the effectiveness of its contingency plan. The company’s expectations are positive, considering that all requirements of the environmental agency have been met, which could allow the start of exploration in the region.

Vaney Nascimento da Cunha, Petrobras’ Executive Manager of E&P Logistics, detailed the complexity of the operation, which involves the large-scale mobilization of people and equipment, including six dedicated vessels, three helicopters, an Environmental Defense Center, and two advanced response centers, with technical teams available 24/7.

Exhibition Showcases Energy and Logistics Innovations

Rio Pipeline & Logistics 2025 registered a 43% increase in exhibition space, with over 100 companies present. Among the technological highlights, HGS is presenting Laserpro Scan, a system developed for natural gas leak detection using infrared lasers. Easy to install on any vehicle, it can instantly alert to leaks.

TAG is presenting MAGO, an automated operational management monitoring tool that enhances transparency and predictability of operations while offering immersive virtual reality experiences in the company’s assets. Omni Unmanned, the drone division of Grupo OHI, is showcasing large-scale drone solutions for pipeline inspection and monitoring. These drones can operate in remote areas, reduce carbon emissions by up to 95%, and replace helicopters in various missions, including offshore transport and environmental monitoring.

The exhibition also features a technical program, case study presentations, and debates on innovation, safety, and sustainability in the sector. In addition, the space allows direct interaction with products, enabling visitors to experience first-hand the solutions transforming energy logistics and infrastructure in the country.

At the IBP booth, visitors can find activations and attend talks on innovation, diversity, knowledge management, and market trends. On Wednesday (10), special attention was given to the panel “Women in Operations: Female Leadership in Midstream”, with Carla Diniz (NTS), Camila Faria (TAG), and Keurrie Cipriano (Transpetro), who shared their career journeys and perspectives on women’s roles in the industry.

About Rio Pipeline & Logistics
Rio Pipeline & Logistics takes place at ExpoRio Cidade Nova from September 9 to 11 and is sponsored by Petrobras (Master Sponsor), TAG, TBG, and Transpetro (Diamond Sponsors), NTS and Tenaris (Platinum Sponsors), TechnipFMC (Gold Sponsor), Rosen (Silver Sponsor), and SLB + Enivibes, Solar Turbines, Tory Tech, Energia Latam, Ecopetrol (Bronze Sponsors), with Strategic Partnership from the Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Energy and Sea Economy. Institutional support comes from ABCM, Abegás, AbesPetro, Abimaq, ABICAM, ABRACO, ABTL, AHK, Arpel, ATP, CTDUT, EIC, and Energeo. Media partners include Eixos, Offshore, Oil & Gas Journal, Petro & Química, PTJ, TN Petróleo, and World Pipelines.