The competitiveness of natural gas and the decommissioning market in Sergipe were among the key topics discussed on the second day of Sergipe Oil & Gas 2025, held on Thursday, July 24, at the AM Malls Convention Center in Aracaju. The event is being held for the fourth time in the state, with support from the Government of Sergipe, through the State Secretariat for Economic Development and Science and Technology (Sedetec). The program brings together various companies and stakeholders from Brazil and abroad to foster dialogue, exchange experiences, and generate business opportunities.

The day’s agenda began with the SOG Congress, featuring technical panels with natural gas industry experts. The panel on “Natural Gas Storage” was moderated by Adriana Queiroz from EPE (Energy Research Office) and featured representatives from Origem Energia and GBS Storage, who addressed solutions and challenges for the efficient storage of natural gas.

Next, the panel “Natural Gas Competitiveness: LNG and CNG” brought together Márcio Félix, from the Brazilian Association of Independent Oil and Gas Producers (ABPIP), as moderator, along with experts from FGV Energia, Eneva, and GNLink. They discussed the strategic role of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in boosting the industry’s competitiveness, highlighting market opportunities.

Márcio Couto, Research Superintendent at FGV Energia, thanked the event for the invitation and explained the relevance of the energy transition in today’s context. “The energy transition is a massive challenge: replacing a matrix largely based on fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. Many talk about energy transition without acknowledging the scale of the challenge. Replacing 100 million barrels of oil per day with renewable sources — which have yet to reach the necessary scale and capacity to meet global demand — is a complex, slow, and gradual process,” he said.

The SOG Congress continued with discussions on the “Regulatory Agenda to Promote Activity in Onshore Fields” and the “Natural Gas Market”, the latter moderated by Sedetec Secretary Valmor Barbosa. Meanwhile, in the Innovation Arena, the Startup Day took place — a space dedicated to showcasing local startups developing new technologies, promoting connections between entrepreneurs and key players in the oil and gas ecosystem. This session was facilitated by Fabíola Forza. In the Commercial Arena, companies presented the latest products and services, while the ESG Arena focused on governance and supply chain issues.

A major highlight of the day came during the Technical Session, with the topic “Decommissioning Market in Sergipe.” Moderated by Eduardo Aragon, from Brainmarket, the discussion included Joe Conde Jr. from SG Reparo Naval, Newton Narciso Pereira from UFF (Fluminense Federal University), and Carlos Castilho from Petrobras. The speakers discussed challenges, opportunities, and prospects for the decommissioning of offshore platforms and infrastructure in the region, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships to advance this growing segment in the state. 

“Opportunities are already materializing. Before a platform is removed, there’s a whole process of abandonment, cleaning, and disconnection that needs to take place. One large unit has already arrived in Sergipe, and another is expected later this year for well abandonment and preparation services. In other words, decommissioning is already underway here,” said Carlos Castilho, General Manager of Decommissioning Projects at Petrobras.

SG Reparo Naval is investing in the state through the revitalization of the Porto das Redes shipyard in the municipality of Santo Amaro das Brotas. With an estimated investment of over R$ 80 million, the project will be carried out over three years to prepare the facility for component production, vessel construction, and repairs. Initial projections suggest at least 1,000 direct jobs will be created in the startup phase.

The modernization of the shipyard is considered vital for decommissioning activities and for the Sergipe Deep Waters Project. “We are closing a historic chapter. If we look at the entire development of offshore oil exploration in Brazil, it started here in 1968, in the Guaricema field. Now, we’re closing the chapter on shallow water operations in this state,” emphasized Joe Conde Jr., Strategic Director at SG Reparo Naval.

While the discussions were taking place, a Business Roundtable was held, organized by Dinamus Consultoria, with the participation of companies such as Carmo Energy, Eneva, Engeman, Mandacaru, Perbras, Petrobras, SBM, SLB, and TAG. The roundtable created a dedicated space for pre-selected suppliers to meet with key companies in the state’s oil and gas industry, facilitating connections and the development of strategic partnerships. 

SOG25

Sergipe Oil & Gas 2025 is organized by Austral and Brainmarket. Admission is free, with registration available on the event’s official website. For the full program, visit: www.sergipeoilgas.com.br.