Offshore Projects to Strengthen Energy Security in Brazil and Colombia
Showcased on the final day of Rio Pipeline & Logistics, projects led by Equinor, TotalEnergies, and Petrobras are set to boost the economy and meet South America’s growing energy demand.
The last day of Rio Pipeline & Logistics highlighted the industry’s dynamism with the presentation of large-scale offshore projects. In a panel held on Thursday morning (11), executives from Equinor, TotalEnergies, and Petrobras detailed the development of strategic assets designed to enhance energy security and drive local industry in South America through partnerships and innovative engineering solutions.
The Raia Project, operated by Equinor (35%) in partnership with Repsol Sinopec (35%) and Petrobras (30%) in the Campos Basin, was one of the highlights. Scheduled to begin operations in 2028, the field will have the capacity to deliver 16 million cubic meters of natural gas per day, potentially supplying up to 15% of Brazil’s demand. As part of the federal government’s New PAC program, the project stands out for its strong local content: more than 99% of the 20,000 tons of steel used in the pipeline and FPSO are produced domestically.
The Lapa South West project, presented by Leonardo Simões, TotalEnergies’ New Projects and Facilities Manager, involves an investment of around US$1 billion to connect new wells to an existing FPSO in the Santos Basin. The initiative will increase the field’s production by 25,000 barrels of oil per day and exemplifies the company’s strategy of prioritizing low-cost, low-emission assets while optimizing installed infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Sirius Project, presented by Rafael Solano, Senior Consultant at Petrobras, represents a natural gas discovery in Colombia, in partnership with Ecopetrol. Currently under development, the project foresees the construction of the country’s first long-distance subsea pipeline, stretching 115 km to the continental coast, with the potential to ensure Colombia’s energy security for decades.
TAG Launches Platform for Daily Gas Trading Operations
At the CEO Talks session, Tomaz Guadagnin, CEO of Transportadora Associada de Gás (TAG), highlighted the strategic role of natural gas for Brazil and announced a new product from the company. In partnership with S&P Global Platts, TAG launched a platform that publishes daily gas trading operations. “We will now provide daily gas prices, giving our clients greater transparency,” Guadagnin stated.
The executive emphasized that the company closely follows the debate on tariff reductions, always focusing on legal and regulatory security to contribute to sector stability and decision-making. He also pointed out the benefits of natural gas, such as flexibility, the fast dispatch of thermal power plants, and its storage potential — a practice already consolidated in Europe but still in its early stages in Brazil.
To ensure efficiency and safety, TAG has invested R$1.7 billion in maintenance and modernization of its network in recent years. Expansion plans under consideration include the Sergipe Deepwater and Veredas projects, the latter designed to increase gas supply between Pernambuco and Ceará.
Focused on improving market liquidity, TAG is finalizing the Mago Project (Automated Monitoring of Operational Management), scheduled for launch by December. The platform, based on technology already used in France, will provide users with real-time visibility of operations in the pipeline network.
Artificial Intelligence in Pipeline Monitoring
The session “Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis for Failure Monitoring and Prevention” showcased how advanced technologies are transforming failure detection and risk prevention in pipelines.
Stephan Eule, Senior AI Specialist at ROSEN, presented applications of artificial intelligence in microwave systems capable of detecting cracks, corrosion, and metal loss. He noted that manual analysis of a 100 km pipeline could take up to six months, but AI now makes it possible to cut this time significantly, creating condition rankings and validating results against databases exceeding 100,000 records.
Igor Caetano Diniz, founder of DynaML, stressed the challenges of developing and applying the technology, reinforcing that the value of AI lies in viable, productized solutions — with a focus on feature engineering, collaborative work, and mastery of frameworks and development best practices.
Ana Paula Gomes, from Enivibes, presented the use of algorithms for performance analysis of pipelines using vibroacoustic technology. Installed sensors enable real-time leak detection and assessment of the structural resilience of assets, enhancing operational reliability.
About Rio Pipeline & Logistics
Rio Pipeline & Logistics takes place at ExpoRio Cidade Nova from September 9 to 11 and is supported by Petrobras as Master Sponsor; TAG, TBG, and Transpetro as Diamond Sponsors; NTS and Tenaris as Platinum Sponsors; TechnipFMC as Gold Sponsor; Rosen as Silver Sponsor; and SLB + Enivibes, Solar Turbines, Tory Tech, Energia Latam, and Ecopetrol as Bronze Sponsors. The event also has a Strategic Partnership with the Secretariat of Energy and Sea Economy of the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro.
Institutional support comes from: ABCM, Abegás, AbesPetro, Abimaq, ABICAM, ABRACO, ABTL, AHK, Arpel, ATP, CTDUT, EIC, and Energeo. Media partners include: Eixos, Offshore, Oil & Gas Journal, Petro & Química, PTJ, TN Petróleo, and World Pipelines.
