The oil and natural gas industry is committed to contributing to the energy transition, through investments and research into new technologies. In Brazil, the oil companies gathered at the Brazilian Institute of Oil and Gas (IBP) follow the same trajectory, as stated by the entity's Corporate Executive Director, Fernanda Delgado (photo), in a press conference promoted by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. (Apex), on Monday (5/2), during the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), in Houston, United States.

“We understand that the oil and gas sector is included in the energy transition. The oil industry can provide the solutions for achieving the goal of reducing carbon emissions. We also understand that it is necessary to involve society in this discussion and the IBP works for this”, said Delgado.

The director of the IBP also highlighted that “the sector cannot be seen as a villain” and that the oil and natural gas industry has an important role to play in guaranteeing the energy supply to the population. According to the expert, access to different sources of generation helps countries to avoid crises of lack of supply.

Also present at the press conference, the chairman of the IBP board of directors and director of Institutional Relations and Sustainability at Petrobras, Rafael Chaves, also highlighted that Brazil, with a cleaner energy matrix than the world average and rich in natural resources , has the potential to be a relevant energy exporter.

“We have a very important energy mix in Brazil. Natural gas, for example, is a key source in the decarbonization process of the economy. We need to take care of the energy transition and also of the people”, said Chaves, adding that the security of supply is an issue that cannot go off the radar, even at the current stage, in which the containment of emissions is a global concern.

The director general of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), Rodolfo Saboia, highlighted, at the press conference, the investment opportunities for the oil industry in Brazil. Saboia highlighted the quality of the pre-salt layer and the regularity of holding auctions, with emphasis on the permanent offer, in which companies previously inform the regulatory body of their areas of interest.

“The result of our last permanent bid auction last month exceeded our expectations. Smaller, independent companies are being encouraged to invest and we continue to attract interest from large companies. For this year, new auctions are planned, possibly in the pre-salt layer”, stated Saboia.

Heloísa Borges, director of Oil, Gas and Biofuels Studies at Empresa de Pesquisa Energética (EPE), drew attention to the presence of biofuels in the Brazilian market, which, in her opinion, puts the country at an advantage over other countries. Borges also highlighted that “the oil and gas industry is part of the economic development strategy in Brazil”.

In the state of Rio de Janeiro alone, US$ 60 billion is being invested, according to Raul Sanson, director of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan). He recalls that 80% of the country's oil and gas production takes place in the region, that the main decision-makers are in the state capital – such as the ANP and the offices of oil companies – and that, in the municipality of Macaé (RJ), it is a relevant portion of the sector's supply chain is installed.

“Firjan has a team focused on the oil and gas sector, which can support the industry in matters related to technology, legal frameworks and training”, highlighted Sanson.