On Wednesday (June 18th), Rosane Aguiar Figueiredo, Petrobras’ Social Investments manager, gave a presentation on the Petrobras Social and Environmental Program, at the Social Responsibility Global Village, part of the World Petroleum Congress (WPC) that is being held in Moscow. In her opening address, Ms. Figueiredo emphasized how "the program helps to reinforce the company’s strategic positioning, to operate ethically, safely and profitably in the oil and gas sector, acting with social and environmental responsibility and contributing to the development of Brazil and other countries where the company has activities". She added that Petrobras will invest about US$ 750 million, through the program, between 2014 and 2018, in social and environmental projects focused on seven areas of activity: Inclusive and Sustainable Production, Biodiversity and Social Diversity, the Rights of Children and Adolescents, Forests and Climate, Education, Water and Sport.

Armando Tripodi, the company’s executive manager for Social Responsibility, noted that the WPC has addressed the topic "Earning Social License to Operate" through plenary and special sessions dedicated to this issue. He pointed out that it is becoming increasingly important, for the sustainability of the business, to incorporate aspects of social responsibility within the business strategies.

Anelise Lara, Petrobras’ executive manager for the Libra field, returned to the plenary session to address young people, in the discussion panel “Youth - Guiding the Energy Industry towards a Sustainable Future”, and pointed out that in Brazil, the energy sector is at the heart of the economy, contributing to the country’s development in different spheres. She said that, "The oil & gas sector today accounts for more than 4 million direct and indirect jobs. Considering the size of the deepwater discoveries we have made since 2006, notably in the pre-salt layer, the economic and social impact will be even greater in the years to come. If we add Petrobras’ social and environmental initiatives throughout the country, we certainly have a business that is very attractive for the current generation and future ones.”

Ms. Lara emphasized that, "With the progress in developing the pre-salt fields, the question of sustainability is constantly in focus and Petrobras is committed to reinjecting all the CO2 generated in these fields. It is a really exciting time in our country, where the younger generations are sure to find many opportunities to make a difference, taking the technology and practices to a whole new level and enabling a more sustainable future for all."

Petrobras was also represented on the WPC Youth Committee. Jaime Naveiro, project manager for the Sapinhoá field at Petrobras’ upstream division, is currently vice-chairman of the committee. Mr. Naveiro delivered presentations on Petrobras to groups of young people from all around the world, on the mornings of June 17th and 18th, and with his extensive coverage of the pre-salt layer, he was able to explain the new frontier that is being opened up close to existing operations, as well as Petrobras' strategy to develop as an integrated energy company. His presentations also looked at the geological origins of the carbonate reservoirs in the pre-salt layer, the challenges faced by the company in developing the area, and especially the technologies that are being developed and successfully applied in these fields. An example is the ground breaking collection system, called the BSR (Buoyancy Supported Risers), installed in the Sapinhoá and Northeastern Lula pilot projects, which are both already in production. This innovative system enables the use of Steel Catenary Risers (SCR) at great depths in parts of the project. Another highlight of the presentations was showing models of the FPSOs that are under construction in Brazil and will be installed in the pre-salt fields as of 2016. A major advantage of this new concept of FPSO is to enable optimal design of the units, as well as the standardization of the equipment.

Some new technologies that are being developed right now will be important to obtaining an optimal return from the pre-salt layer. The project manager pointed out that Petrobras invests around US$1 billion a year in Research & Development. He concluded, "Our suppliers are also setting up research centers in Brazil, close to universities or to Petrobras, and the exchange of technology is heating up. Many oil and gas companies have technology centers already installed, and many more are planning to follow suit, making Brazil a global hub for deepwater technological development".

The 21st edition of the World Petroleum Congress (WPC) closed on Thursday (June 19th). The conference takes place every three years and is the oil industry’s largest global event. This year there were 3,000 registered delegates, including 30 ministers of state and 400 company CEOs from over 80 different countries, according to the organizers.