O&G exploration is key to social development and a just energy transition, claim leaders at the opening of OTC Brazil 2025
The presidents of the IBP and Petrobras, and the governor of Amapá, highlight the importance of exploring new frontiers, such as the Equatorial Margin, to ensure energy security and finance the country's social and economic progress
Rio de Janeiro, October 28, 2025 – The opening ceremony of OTC Brazil 2025, Latin America's leading offshore industry event, featured a robust defense of continuing oil and gas exploration in the country. The leaders in attendance agreed that exploring new frontiers, such as the Equatorial Margin, is essential for social and economic development and ensuring a safe, just, and affordable energy transition.
Roberto Ardenghy, president of the Brazilian Institute of Oil, Gas, and Biofuels (IBP), emphasized the importance of exploration efforts for the country's future. He recalled the discovery of the pre-salt layer, which currently accounts for over 75% of national production. He highlighted the economic impact of this activity, noting that it generated a $36 billion trade surplus last year and created "hundreds of thousands of jobs." However, Ardenghy warned that this contribution depends on new areas since the two main production zones, the Campos and Santos basins, are moving inexorably toward maturity.
Magda Chambriard, president of Petrobras, reinforced this idea, stating that "There is no future for an oil company without exploration." She linked the need to replenish reserves directly to the company's role in decarbonization and highlighted that its main challenge is "facing the energy transition with inclusion and justice." Chambriard stressed Petrobras's commitment to a "just energy transition capable of producing affordable energy for the Brazilian population" and mentioned the start of drilling in the Equatorial Margin as "a significant milestone for Petrobras, for the state of Amapá, and for Brazil." The executive also pointed out that the Búzios field is on the verge of reaching the milestone of one million barrels per day and has the potential to surpass two million.
The link between exploration and social development was reinforced by the governor of Amapá, Clécio Luis Vilhena Vieira, who stated that the activity “is very welcome” in the state, refuting what he called “dogmas and fundamentalisms that do not contribute to the debate.” The governor pointed out that Amapá is the most preserved state in Brazil—with 97% of its forest cover intact—but still faces high poverty rates. “We need to use these excellent environmental indicators to boost social and economic indicators in the state. We see oil as an economic matrix to finance this development.”
The director-general of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP), Artur Watt, pointed out that OTC Brazil is taking place at a time of celebration for the offshore industry in the country. “We are experiencing a remarkable moment, with the permit and beginning of drilling in the Equatorial Margin in Amapá and the recent auction, with favorable results above expectations,” said Watt, noting that this year, national oil production will reach 4 million barrels per day and approximately R$5 billion in investment in Research and Development.
Also attending the opening ceremony were Maiza Goulart, general chairperson of OTC Brazil; Carlos Mastrangelo, director of the OTC board; Cassio Coelho, Secretary of Energy and Marine Economy (Seenemar); Floriano Pesaro, director of Corporate Management at ApexBrasil; and Jose Alexandre Barroso, secretary of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil, and Gas of Angola.
OTC Brazil 2025 is being held at ExpoRio Cidade Nova from October 28 to 30 and has Petrobras as Master Sponsor; Shell and TotalEnergies as Diamond Sponsors; Equinor, ExxonMobil, Petronas, PRIO, and TechnipFMC as Platinum Sponsors; Gold sponsorship from Brava, Chevron, and Repsol Sinopec; Silver sponsorship from bp; and Bronze sponsorship from OceanPact, PERBRAS, Vallourec, and Tenaris. EcoPetrol Brasil is a sponsor of Club Offshore, BTG Pactual Advisors is the Official Bank of the event, and the Rio de Janeiro State Government's Secretariat of Energy and Maritime Economy is a Strategic Partner. United Airlines is the official airline of OTC Brasil, and S&P Global Commodity Insights is the Knowledge Partner. B&T XP is the Official Foreign Exchange Broker; Ambipar is the Official Emissions Offsetting Partner; and the Brazilian Society of Naval Engineering (Sobena) is the Guest Association. The event also has the following media partners: eixos, Petro&Química, Brasil Energia, Tn Petróleo, Upstream, Offshore, and Oil & Gas Journal. The event also has the Institutional Support of ABEEMAR, ABEMI, ABESPETRO, ABIMAQ, ABPIP, ABRACO, AHK Mercosul, Arpel, CESAR, EIC, Energy Workforce & Technology Council, Firjan SENAI SESI, IADC, IAPG, Rede Petro ES, SBGf, Syndarma and Abeam, and Visit Rio.
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