On August 1, Shell Brasil will enter a new phase in its history in the country with João Santos Rosa taking over as president of the company. The executive will also assume the position of Executive Vice President for Brazil in the global Upstream business line. The change marks the conclusion of Cristiano Pinto da Costa’s tenure, as he leaves the company after nearly 30 years, the last four of them leading the Brazilian operation. The executives have already formally begun the transition process.

The change comes at an important moment for Shell Brasil. In recent years, the Brazilian operation has grown in scale, increased its relevance in the company’s global portfolio, and advanced in areas considered strategic to its business in the country. Under the current leadership, the company has consolidated important progress in production, exploration expansion, project development, and investments in innovation and social impact. Today, Shell Brasil is the Group’s largest oil producer and the country’s second-largest producer, holding equity interests in more than 20 floating production units. In 2025, the country received a record investment from the company – R$ 12.5 billion in that year alone.

Over the past four years, Shell Brasil’s production has grown by approximately 25%, surpassing 500,000 barrels per day in March 2026. The company has also reached important milestones for its portfolio, such as the final investment decision for the Orca project, with first oil expected in 2029, as well as expanding its Exploration and Production portfolio by more than 130%. The portfolio now comprises more than 70 contracts, including operations in the Southern Santos and Pelotas basins.

In Research and Development, Shell Brasil is currently the private company that invests the most in the country under the ANP’s R&D&I clause – approximately R$ 500 million per year. The company’s activities have also expanded in the social sphere, with stronger sponsorships and initiatives focused on sports, education, and culture. In 2026, there will be a total of 79 sociocultural initiatives in different regions of the country, focusing on training and expanding access to opportunities.

“It was an honor to lead Shell Brasil during this period and to be part of a nearly 30-year journey with the company. I leave proud of the growth we achieved together. I have complete confidence that João will continue this work with competence, strategic vision, and deep knowledge of the sector,” emphasizes Cristiano Pinto da Costa, who will take on a leadership position at XRG in Abu Dhabi.

New Phase

Currently president of Shell Italy, João Santos Rosa will take over as president of Shell Brasil, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the energy sector. Born in Portugal, he joined Shell in 2002 and, throughout his career, held positions in the United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United States, working across different areas, including upstream, trading, and new business development. His appointment reinforces Shell’s commitment to continuity, a global perspective, discipline, and deep sector knowledge in leading the company’s operations in Brazil.

“I take on this position with enthusiasm and a strong sense of responsibility. Brazil is a key country for Shell and offers significant opportunities for the present and future of our business. My commitment is to build on the foundation already established, in partnership with our teams, partners, and stakeholders, while maintaining our focus on safety, competitiveness, innovation, and a long-term perspective,” says João Santos Rosa.

About Shell – Present in the country since 1913, Shell Brasil is an integrated energy company with operations in the Oil and Gas, Nature-Based Solutions, Research & Development, and Trading sectors through Shell Energy Brasil. The company is also active in the Biofuels segment through the Raízen joint venture, which also manages the distribution of Shell-branded fuels in Brazil. Shell Brasil works to meet the growing demand for energy in an economically, environmentally, and socially responsible manner, assessing trends and scenarios to address the challenges of the energy future.

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