Brazil: Houston Mayor Visits Petrobras

Last Thursday, the mayor of Houston (USA), Annise Parker, visited the Petrobras Research Center in Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro. The mayor’s party, including representatives from the oil and gas industry and from Texan universities, was received by Alípio Ferreira, General Manager of Downstream R&D and Biofuels.

After visiting the fluids and geological research laboratories and the Collaborative and Imaging Facility, the mayor spoke of the technological advances achieved by the energy industry over the past few decades. “The tools that we have today are very different from those of 20 years ago. It’s all very sophisticated and impressive,” she said.

Houston is considered the hub of the North-American oil and gas industry and all major companies in the sector, including Petrobras, have their US headquarters there. The relationship between Petrobras and this Texan city also includes technological cooperation. “We need to stay in contact with the world outside and not isolate ourselves. We have already collaborated on projects with Texan universities, including the National University, Texas University and Rice University,” said Alípio Ferreira.

Brazil’s state oil giant Petrobras ,has been present in the United States since 1987, and in February this year started up production in the Cascade field, deploying the first FPSO (floating production storage and offloading unit) to operate in the North-American part of the Gulf of Mexico. “Petrobras has a firm commitment to produce in the region. We hope to see significant growth and investment there,” said Fernando Cunha, Petrobras Executive Manager for America, Africa and Eurasia.

The mayor of Houston, the city considered by many to be the “Energy Capital of the World, was very positive about the outlook. “Considering the work that Petrobras has been engaged in throughout the world and the concentration of oil, gas and services know-how in Houston, we believe that our relationship will be lasting and fruitful”.

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Offshore Energy Today Staff, April 4, 2012; Image: Petrobras