The ANP held yesterday (18/10) a public hearing on the proposed resolution to improve ANP Technical Regulation No. 3/2015, which establishes the rules for the application of research, development and innovation (RD&I) resources by companies operating in the oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) sector in Brazil. The review aims to adapt the rules to the current moment, including strengthening innovation in the oil, natural gas and biofuels sector.

At the opening of the hearing, ANP Director Raphael Moura highlighted the importance of the RD&I clause present in E&P contracts, which determines the application of a percentage of gross revenue from fields of great production in research activities, according to conditions specified in each contract.

“Research and innovation activities are of vital importance to promote the social, scientific and technological development of our country. Only through the expansion of centers of excellence and the good application of these resources will we improve production processes, with gains in efficiency, operational safety, environmental protection and the reduction of operating costs”, said Moura.

According to the Director, the draft resolution object of the hearing aims to provide an environment of greater regulatory security and effectiveness for investments in the RD&I clause. “The idea is to align the regulation with the topics and concepts of application of resources practiced by companies and research institutions in the energy area, thus giving our contribution to the improvement of the research environment in Brazil”, he added.

The changes foreseen in the regulation are divided into four axes: renewable energies/energy transition; new actions for innovation/startups; innovation in micro/small companies; and risk reduction/bureaucracy in regulation.

The new version of the resolution proposes greater clarity in the eligibility of RD&I projects related to renewable energies and the energy transition, including decarbonization, CO2 capture and environmental characterization and protection studies. Priority procedural steps will also be established for projects and programs covered by CNPE Resolution No. 2/2021, which guides the ANP and the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) to prioritize the allocation of RD&I resources on topics such as: hydrogen, biofuels, storage energy and digital transformation, among other improvement measures.

The draft resolution underwent a 45-day public consultation, in which 110 contributions were received. The suggestions received at the consultation and at the hearing will be evaluated by the technical area, whether or not to change the original draft, decisions justified in a Technical Note. The consolidated text will undergo legal analysis by the Federal Attorney at the ANP and approval by the Agency's collegiate board, before its publication.

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