Organized by the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) and the Brazilian Institute of Oil, Gas and Biofuels (IBP), the audience exceeded the expectations of the organizers with over 15,291 participants from 48 countries. The fifth edition of OTC Brasil was held from October 29 to 31 at the SulAmérica Convention Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"We were very impressed with the high technical level of the program, which was also recognized by the participants. The current industry momentum in Brazil and the upcoming auctions aroused even more interest at the conference," said Marcos Assayag, chairman of OTC Brazil 2019. José Firmo , president of the IBP, followed Assayag's enthusiasm. "The presence and engagement of the entire oil and gas industry at OTC Brazil 2019 was a positive surprise. The level of interest was beyond expectations," he said.

The presence of government officials such as Bento Albuquerque, Minister of Mines and Energy, Decio Oddone, Director General of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), and Wilson Witzel, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, reinforced the next pre-salt rounds in the country.

"Brazil's bidding rounds attracted widespread interest and investment, which should help Brazil become one of the world's top five oil producers," explained Bento Albuquerque.

The extensive technical program featured four plenary sessions, 22 special sessions and 40 technical presentations. This year's event focused on changes in the Brazilian natural gas market, exploration and production in ultra-deep waters of the pre-salt province and the impact of the digital revolution on the offshore sector.

On Wednesday afternoon (30/10), more than 400 congressmen attended the plenary session moderated by Jorge Camargo, IBP's emeritus advisor. The session was presented by leading E&P executives who discussed deepwater development opportunities as well as the global impact of new business models. Carlos Alberto Pereira de Oliveira, Petrobras E&P Director, Stephen Greenlee, ExxonMobil President of Upstream Business Development, Arnaud Breuillac, Total E&P Director, Margareth Ovrum, CEO of Equinor Brazil, and Uwen Ukpong, Director of Baker Hughes Global Operations.

During the conference, the OTC and IBP recognized the winners of the 2019 Distinguished Achievement Award. Carlos Tadeu Fraga was honored for the individual achievement, and Petrobras' TLD Libra Project was recognized for the corporate achievement. Both achievements are truly significant contributions to the E&P industry.

Another highlight at the awards luncheon was the debate about Petrobras' repositioning in a world in transition with the company's president, Roberto Castello Branco. "More competition and the entry of new players from the entire production chain, including exploration and production, refining and natural gas segment, is good for everyone, including Petrobras," said Castello Branco.

Demonstrating the positive expectation around Brazil's repositioning as a key element in the global E&P arena, the exhibition covered 3,400 square meters with 180 operating and service companies, featuring the latest technologies and innovative products and services.

For the first time, the exhibition offered interactive sessions at the newly created Offshore Arena, with an emphasis on FPSOs, underwater solutions and digital transformation in the E&P industry.

In addition, the Business Roundtable held by the National Petroleum Industry Organization (ONIP), Sebrae and the Rio de Janeiro State Federation of Industries (Firjan) hosted more than 200 meetings between 17 anchor companies and 107 suppliers.

OTC Brasil is sponsored by Petrobras, Equinor, ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron, Petrogal, Total, Repsol Sinopec, TechnipFMC, Vallourec, PetroRio, Aker Solutions, Frank's International, Maha Energy Brazil, Shawcor, Solvay, Halliburton, Enauta and MOL.

The OTC Brasil 2021 will take place between October 26 and 28, 2021, in Rio de Janeiro.

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