The opening session of the event had 800 participants and was already a sample of what will be the three days of the Riocentro event. In the presence of representatives of the Brazilian Institute of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (IBP), the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP), Petrobras, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the opening, held on Tuesday morning (24/10) marks the first time both events occur simultaneously.

OTC Brazil Chairman João Carlos de Luca spoke about the importance of discussions on new technologies for the sector. Marcelino Guedes, Chairman of Rio Pipeline, pointed out that within 20 years of the event, it is necessary to strengthen the regulations to guarantee production and that Brazil needs to be part of the global market, with technology companies that can sustain the sector.

Décio Oddone, director general of ANP, recalled that technology has never been so important for the future and that the Agency has the responsibility to regulate the digitization of the sector - which will certainly impact the industry. "At the next OTC Brazil we will be living this resumption that starts now," said Oddone.

Petrobras president Pedro Parente said that Brazil has evolved since last year's Rio Oil & Gas, but that it still has a long way to go in relation to the use of new technologies to facilitate exploration in deep waters. "We need to look forward and continue our business," Parente recalled.

Márcio Félix, Secretary of Oil, Natural Gas and Renewable Fuels of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, reinforced the established schedule of rounds for the sector. "Everything indicates that the 15th Round will happen at the end of March and the 4th Round of the pre-salt in June," he anticipated.

The event was also attended by IBP president Jorge Camargo; Thomas Loughlin, executive director of ASME; and Wafik Beydoun, Chairman of the OTC, which reinforced the leadership of the conference in the sector. "The next edition, in 2019, will be a milestone because it is the OTC's 50th anniversary, founded in 1969."

The opening keynote was presented by Lord John Browne of L1 Energy. He emphasized the responsibility of the oil & gas sector in relation to climate change. "The answer (to global warming) lies in the technological innovations that are the most important tools to accelerate the transition process to a low carbon economy," Browne explained.

Finally, Lord Browne said he was optimistic about Brazil and the energy industry.

"Progress may seem slow, but it is possible if leaders engage deeply with society and continue to work for humanity. I have always been optimistic and believe in the path to human progress," he concluded.

OTC Brasil 2017 is sponsored by Petrobras; Total; Shell; BP; Fluorine; Statoil; Baker Hughes - GE Company; Chevron; TechnipFMC; Repsol Sinopec; Saipem; ExxonMobil; Vallourec; Galp / Petrogal; Queiroz Galvão; Flutrol; Aker Solutions; CNOCC; Subsea7; Brazil - U.S. Business Council; Firjan; and OceanPact.

Rio Pipeline is sponsored by Petrobras; Rosen; Brazilian Transporter Bolivia-Brazil Gas Pipeline (TBG); New Southeast Carrier (NTS); Mattos Filho Lawyers; and Tory-Tech.

OTC Brasil and Rio Pipeline continue until Thursday, the 26th, at Riocentro, Rio de Janeiro.