The Brazilian delegation at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), totaling around 600 Brazilians, currently occupies fifth place in the rankings for foreign visitors. According to the Brazilian Institute of Oil, Gas and Biofuels (IBP), the tradition and relevance of the Brazil Pavilion has led it to become a sort of informal embassy for the country, attracting numerous visitors from other countries that are interested in a wide range of areas.

With its new layout, the Brazil Pavilion, put together by the IBP and the Brazilian Exports and Investments Agency (APEX), will be taking part in the OTC for the 16th time this year. Brazil has participated in the fair since it began in 1999 in order to promote its industry internationally, and the success of this initiative is reflected in the growing participation of national companies at the event. 

In the beginning there were just six companies involved, participating in a space smaller than 100 m². Today the pavilion contains 45 companies and covers 850 m², and there is demand to create more space and make room for more organizations.

The OTC is the biggest international exhibition in the oil and gas area, and attracts over 100,000 visitors to Houston. The IBP, as one of the member organizations of the OTC, has high expectations for the 2014 edition considering the current dynamics of the international offshore industry and the high demand for goods and services. This year the organization expects a growing number of technicians and companies from Brazil to attend the event.

"We want to give opportunities to small and medium-sized Brazilian suppliers so they can promote their products and services. The OTC is also an opportunity for these companies to get to know new technology and services and widen their networks," emphasizes Executive Secretary of the IBP Milton Costa Filho.

A mezzanine area has been added to the stand this year in order to widen the space available for exhibitors and to provide more comfort to participating companies.

The Brazil Pavilion is made up of mainly small and medium-sized companies that supply goods and services to the sector. These include companies that manufacture equipment such as valves, compressors, platform automation systems and anti-corrosive materials, research laboratories and engineering companies. In addition to suppliers, other important Brazilian organizations linked to the industry are involved.

Milton Costa Filho explains that foreign operators and suppliers have made heavy investments in the construction of research centers and laboratories across Brazil so that they can increase local production capacity and meet the demands of the segment. Therefore, trade fairs such as the OTC are a way in for these companies, enabling them to make contact with the reality of this industry within a wide range of countries. Visitors to the pavilion from other countries come in search of partnerships with local businesses and information on how to invest in Brazil.