The global need to reduce carbon intensity across various sectors has led many oil and gas operators to seek new technologies and practices to optimize their offshore operations in order to mitigate carbon emissions. These efforts were highlighted in the agenda of ROG.e, one of the largest energy events in the world, being held at the Olympic Boulevard in Rio de Janeiro until this Thursday (26).

Maíza Goulart (photo), Executive Manager of Petrobras' Research Center (Cenpes), emphasized the company's actions, which have resulted in a reduction of over 53% in its greenhouse gas emissions from 2009 to 2023. "All of this was achieved through a cultural shift and investments in operational efficiency," commented the manager.

According to Alberto Ferrin, President of ExxonMobil Brazil, as the population grows exponentially and quality of life improves, the demand for oil and gas will continue to play a leading role in the energy matrix, but with a focus on reducing emissions. "To decarbonize all ExxonMobil operations, the company has set a pioneering goal in the industry to advance its net-zero target from 2050 to 2035. All of our fields are fully electrified, and we are working to have our entire fleet of ships electrified by the end of 2025," Ferrin stressed.

TotalEnergies has placed sustainable development at the center of its initiatives, also focusing on emissions reduction. Globally, the company allocates around USD 1 billion per year for research and innovation, involving over 3,500 people in 18 research centers worldwide. In Brazil, since 2018, approximately BRL 450 million has been invested in more than 80 R&D&I projects combining innovation and sustainability.

Brazil's innovation agency, FINEP, currently has 13 open public funding calls, covering topics such as energy generation technologies from sustainable sources, low-carbon hydrogen, energy storage, safety and resilience of the National Interconnected System, and CO₂ capture, storage, and use, among others.

Tackling the Irregular Market

Vibra is focusing on strengthening its core business of fuel stations as one of its "growth avenues" in the coming years. However, this expansion inevitably involves tackling the irregular market, which includes fraud, adulteration, and tax evasion.

"We aim to further strengthen the ICL [Legal Fuel Institute] to combat these irregularities, which distort the market. We must create equal competition conditions so that all players can grow [without unfair competition]," emphasized Ernesto Posada, CEO of Vibra, during a panel at ROG.e.

The executive stated that Vibra, already the fifth largest company in terms of revenue generation in the country, is rapidly moving toward becoming the leading "multi-energy platform" in Brazil. Vibra is investing in other growth avenues, such as the B2B segment (including fleet management and aviation fuel supply), advancing new logistics corridors across the country, expanding its presence—particularly with the Lubrax lubricant brand—and participating in the Free Energy Market.

Investments in Logistics

Improving fuel logistics is crucial to meeting the demands of new distribution flows driven by growing demand, particularly for biofuels. Sebastião Furquim, Vice President of Operations and Logistics at Ipiranga, highlighted the need to discuss Brazil's vocation, which produces and consumes large volumes of biofuels like corn ethanol, and to seek better efficiency in the distribution flow dynamics.

Teisu Koike, Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Airports, highlighted the current port scenario, which breaks cargo handling records year after year, with a large portion being liquids such as oil and fuels. This growth underscores the importance of investing in this strategic sector. "Just in the PAC, port projects will require investments of BRL 155 billion over six years. Another point is that it's not enough to build piers, terminals, and pipelines; we must facilitate the entry and exit of goods at ports."

Powerships and Hydrogen Use

During the iUP Innovation Connections, a parallel event at ROG.e, Beyza Ozdemir, Director of Karpowership, stated that the company is expanding its fleet of floating power plants with powerships, adding 3 GW of vessels in the short term. Operating in 20 countries across four continents, the company is working with local governments to support energy security during droughts and global climate changes.

Karpowership is also supporting initiatives to desalinate water and provide potable water to communities near its operations. "We aim to lead the energy transition with our unique powership technology, using inputs like natural gas to promote reliable power generation for the Brazilian Integrated System," said the executive.

João Caldas, Technology Director at Casa dos Ventos, mentioned that the company is focusing on solutions to reduce energy consumption while lowering costs for the industry, indicating that hydrogen application projects are in development.

Felipe Travessos, Director of ONINN, emphasized that having a low carbon footprint in semiconductor production, the company's core business, is essential. In his view, the use of green technologies will be critical to building a low-carbon portfolio by 2030.

About ROG.e

ROG.e is one of the largest energy sector events in the world. Organized by IBP, it is expected to receive over 70,000 visitors from 65 different countries, including industry leaders, authorities, investors, academics, and other audiences. The event will occupy eight warehouses with more than 550 exhibitors, seven parallel events, and the Congress.

ROG.e 2024 is sponsored by Petrobras, Shell, TotalEnergies, Equinor, Galp, Origem, Brava, Petronas, Prio, bp, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Modec, Repsol Sinopec Brasil, SBM Offshore, Acelen, Eletrobras, Excelerate Energy, Ipiranga, Pan American Energy, Vibra, Dell, Nvidia, Naturgy, TechnipFMC, TBG, Trident Energy, ABB, Construtora Elevação, Compass, Foresea, Huawei, Karoon Energy, OceanPact, Perbras, Subsea7, TAG, Transpetro, Vallourec, Renave, in addition to the participation of the Federal Government.