The energy potential of Sergipe was discussed right after the opening ceremony of Sergipe Oil & Gas 2024 (SOG), held this Wednesday, the 24th, at the AM Malls Convention Center in Aracaju. The event, organized by the companies Brainmarket, Eolus, and Austral with support from the Government of Sergipe through the State Secretariat of Economic Development and Science and Technology (Sedetec), aims to discuss fundamental topics for stakeholders in the oil and natural gas sector.

The SOG Congress began with the 'BNB Moment,' featuring a speech by the superintendent of Banco do Nordeste do Brasil (BNB), César Santana. This was followed by the panel 'E&P Potential in Sergipe,' with presentations from the Brazilian Institute of Oil and Gas (IBP); the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels of Brazil (ANP); the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV Energia), and Petrobras.

Introducing and moderating the panel, IBP president Roberto Ardenghy highlighted in his presentation the modernization of legislation in Sergipe's sector. “We anticipate producing 240 thousand barrels of oil and 18 million cubic meters of natural gas, an important production for Brazil and Sergipe, generating royalties, jobs, and economic benefits. This industry has a cascading effect on other sectors of the economy, from restaurant owners to large metallurgical equipment. From there, we have the reality of regulation and the business environment, and this reality here in Sergipe is very positive,” he said.

Following this, ANP General Director Rodolfo Saboia emphasized the importance of Sergipe and the Northeast region for the national energy landscape. “The world is entering a scenario of energy transition, and a state with the potential for natural gas production already has the characteristic of being a transition fuel due to its lower carbon footprint. An event like this is extremely appropriate for businesses to develop. This is a capital-intensive sector, and it is important for government bodies to be here to provide the stability, predictability, and transparency necessary to ensure investor confidence,” he stated.

The panel continued with a presentation by FGV Energia researcher João Victor Marques Cardoso, who presented the study titled 'Economic Impact Analysis of Oil and Gas Investments in the State of Sergipe.' The work provides a detailed diagnosis of the economic impact of investments in the gas market in Sergipe and reveals the main opportunities and barriers presented by the sector. For the research, information on regulation, taxation, infrastructure, competitiveness, and tariffs in the segment was collected, with around 40 interviews with gas market agents.

“FGV Energia conducted a study with significant participation from Sergipe residents. One of the results was the calculation of investment multiplication: each billion reais invested in offshore fields in Sergipe can generate 1.3 billion for GDP and almost seven thousand jobs. With a production potential that can represent about a third of the current national gas demand, Sergipe has a great opportunity for consolidation in the national and even international scenario,” explained the FGV researcher.

Throughout the debate, the energy sector and investment opportunities in Sergipe, particularly related to oil and gas, were contextualized.

Concluding the first panel of SOG 2024, Petrobras' Executive Manager of Exploration, Jonilton Pessoa, presented updates on the Sergipe Deep Waters (Seap) project, representing the exploration of a new frontier of oil and natural gas in the country. In full operation, Seap will have the capacity to supply the market with 240 thousand barrels of oil per day and 18 million cubic meters of gas per day. Additionally, the project will include an export pipeline.

“In 1963, we had the discovery of the Carmópolis field in Sergipe, a milestone in the history of exploration in Brazil. This history continued, so that in 2021, we had the declaration of commerciality of seven ultra-deepwater fields in Sergipe. This shows the historical and strategic importance of the state in the oil, gas, and energy landscape for the country,” he summarized.

The first day of Sergipe Oil & Gas continued in the afternoon, including the panels 'Challenges and Opportunities in the Natural Gas Market in Sergipe' and 'Exploratory Activity in Sergipe.' In addition to the SOG Congress, the event features various activities and presentations in the Commercial, ESG, Innovation, Business Round, and other arenas.

Attendance

In addition to various companies and stakeholders in the sector, bodies linked to Sedetec also attended Sergipe Oil & Gas 2024, such as the State Company for Economic Development of Sergipe (Codise), the Foundation for Research and Technological Innovation Support of the State of Sergipe (Fapitec/SE), and the Technological and Research Institute of the State of Sergipe (ITPS).

“The whole country has shown that Sergipe is the new frontier for energy exploration in the country. Sergipe is becoming the window for technological development and ensuring energy security with the development of these giant gas fields. Furthermore, Sergipe is structuring the state's entire innovation policy to ensure that all opportunities are transformed into development and growth for the Sergipe population,” considered ITPS president, Denisson Salustiano.