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Rio Pipeline & Logistics 2025, the leading global meeting point for the pipeline, transportation, and logistics sector, kicked off today in Rio de Janeiro. The opening session gathered federal and state government authorities, IBP representatives, and executives from the country’s top oil and gas companies. The session began with the announcement of up to R$ 29 billion in investments and discussions centered on energy transition, innovation, and sustainability as pillars for the future.

Roberto Ardenghy, president of the Brazilian Petroleum and Gas Institute (IBP) — the event organizer — highlighted the inclusion of the logistics segment in this year’s edition. “Everything depends on logistics, and we need to have this comprehensive vision of the sector. That’s why we decided to incorporate the logistics segment into the program, with over 50% more exhibition space than the previous edition and 30% more registrations,” Ardenghy said.

The importance of gas connections in the Southern Cone — particularly Brazil’s link with Argentina’s Vaca Muerta field — and the expansion of the pipeline network in Brazil’s Midwest region to support biofuel production were also emphasized at the opening. The acting president of the Energy Research Office (EPE), Carlos Eduardo Cabral Carvalho, announced a plan involving up to R$ 29 billion in pipeline infrastructure investments, to be officially launched this Thursday (Sept. 11) at Rio Pipeline & Logistics.

The pipeline transportation mode was highlighted as safer and less CO₂-intensive compared to road transport. Petrobras’ Executive Director of Energy Transition and Sustainability, Angélica Laureano, pointed to logistics plans for the Equatorial Margin and the expansion of the gas pipeline network into the Midwest region as critical topics.

Other speakers included Marcelo Weydt, Director of the Natural Gas Department at the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME); Otto Luiz Bulier, Director of the National Secretariat of Waterways and Navigation at the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPOR); Artur Watt, Director General of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP); Sérgio Bassi, President of Transpetro; Cássio Coelho, Secretary of Energy and Sea Economy of the State of Rio de Janeiro (SEENEMAR); Ildemar Nunes, Rio Pipeline & Logistics Petrobras Co-chair; Sylvie D’Apote, Executive Director of Natural Gas at IBP; Cláudia Rabello, IBP’s Executive Corporate Director; and Ana Mandelli, IBP’s Executive Director of Downstream.

Investments in Pipeline Security

At the CEO Talks panel, Transpetro president Sérgio Bacci detailed the company’s expansion plans, which combine strong technology investments to combat fuel theft, expansion of its shipping fleet, and social responsibility initiatives. “We have invested R$ 100 million per year in technology to prevent theft, and as a result, Transpetro has reduced such incidents by 90%,” he said.

According to him, Transpetro plans to double its fleet of ships. “We should increase the fleet by 80% in the coming years. By the end of this month, we will announce the outcome of the bidding process for eight vessels, and we are about to launch a tender for the construction of another four ships in Brazilian shipyards,” the executive revealed. “We need to create long-term demand, of at least 20 years, to ensure continuous and sustainable development that generates jobs and income in Brazil,” concluded Bacci.

Investments in Pipeline and Logistics Infrastructure

In the panel “Investment Outlook for Pipeline and Logistics Infrastructure in Brazil’s O&G Sector”, IBP presented a study mapping the allocation of resources raised through incentivized debentures in the oil and gas sector in 2024. The study registered R$ 26 billion invested in 33 assets, mostly in pipeline infrastructure and natural gas processing. The transportation and logistics sector attracted R$ 104 billion across 159 assets.

The analysis was conducted by IBP’s O&G sector technical analysis manager, Isabella Costa, economist Aldren Vernersbach, and economic analyst Leonardo Lima, and will be made available on the institute’s website.

Independent Companies’ Strategies

Two of Brazil’s leading independent oil and gas companies presented their projects, strategies, and differentiators for advancing in the market. Renato Santos, Subsea Coordinator at PRIO, stressed that “independents are not small majors,” since they must always be “focused on cost reduction” and keep their lifting costs under control to ensure dynamism and efficiency. He cited the case of the Polvo field, which was originally expected to be decommissioned in 2018, but is now projected to remain in production until 2032.

Priscilla Borges, from Brava Energia’s asset integrity team, explained that the company’s integrity program is a key part of its strategy. In addition to focusing on mature fields, Brava seeks to maintain a diversified portfolio, with onshore oil and gas production, shallow-water offshore projects, and deepwater operations. She highlighted the Atlanta field, a greenfield project with potential to expand production by linking new wells to the existing platform.

Technical Panels: Quality Control and Safety

The first morning’s agenda also included technical panels. Brazil’s leading gas transportation companies — Transpetro, TBG, TAG, and NTS — participated in the panel “Intelligent Control Centers: Efficiency and Safety Challenges in the Digital Transformation Era”, where they discussed digital transformation initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and operational safety at their control centers.

Transpetro highlighted the modernization of its supervisory system, standardized displays, and advancements in leak detection with an emphasis on the human factor. TAG presented its gas management systems, optimization console, and use of machine learning for predictability and smart alarms. NTS discussed its implementation of a new supervisory system with artificial intelligence, real-time simulation for predictive analysis, and the use of a “data fabric” for data optimization. TBG emphasized its SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) upgrade, cloud redundancy for the Control Center, and use of digital twins, underscoring the importance of cybersecurity and multifunctional collaboration for the sector’s future.

In the session “Impact of Specific Environmental Conditions on Pipeline Corrosion”, experts discussed how environmental factors influence external and internal pipeline corrosion. They stressed the importance of detailed case studies to ensure pipeline integrity and operational safety in challenging environments.

The panel “Digital Twins, Remote Monitoring, and Advanced Connectivity” showcased how technology is revolutionizing asset management in the sector, demonstrating how digital twins enable scenario simulation and real-time operational optimization. Remote monitoring and advanced connectivity technologies were presented as essential tools for enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability in pipeline operations.

About Rio Pipeline & Logistics

Rio Pipeline & Logistics takes place at ExpoRio Cidade Nova from September 9–11 and is sponsored by Petrobras (Master), TAG, TBG, and Transpetro (Diamond), NTS and Tenaris (Platinum), TechnipFMC (Gold), Rosen (Silver), SLB + Enivibes, Solar Turbines, Tory Tech, Energia Latam, and Ecopetrol (Bronze), with strategic partnership from the Secretariat of Energy and Sea Economy of the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro.

Institutional supporters include ABCM, Abegás, AbesPetro, Abimaq, ABICAM, ABRACO, ABTL, AHK, Arpel, ATP, CTDUT, EIC, and Energeo. Media partners are Eixos, Offshore, Oil & Gas Journal, Petro & Química, PTJ, TN Petróleo, and World Pipelines.