Brazilian firm picks new COO after previous one steps down

May 6, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Brazilian oil and gas company PRIO, formerly known as PetroRio, has unveiled the identity of its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) following the resignation of the previous COO.

FPSO Valente (formerly known as FPSO Frade) operating in the Frade field off Brazil; Source PRIO

While disclosing the change in its executive team, PRIO confirmed the resignation of Francisco Francilmar Fernandes from the position of Chief Operating Officer for personal and family reasons that require his full dedication, effective from May 5, 2026.

The Brazilian player’s board of directors has elected Jean Carlos Calvi as the firm’s new Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. With approximately 18 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Calvi is a petroleum engineer who graduated from Universidade de Vila Velha.

After joining the company in 2016, he has been primarily responsible for the implementation of several projects, including the Polvo drilling campaign in 2018, the Tubarão Martelo tie-back in 2021, the Frade drilling campaign in 2022, and the recent Wahoo tie-back.

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PRIO is planning further drilling activities, as confirmed by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), which recently issued an amendment to the drilling license for the Frade field, enabling the drilling of up to 14 new wells at the field.