Technology start-ups drive Brazil’s oil and gas industry

As the world’s central energy supply industry, many consumers may believe that the oil and gas sector is relatively resistant to fluctuations. However, the myriad pressures felt across the global economy over the past year and a half have created new challenges for oil and gas operators, some of which require a shift from traditional practices. .. From the new sense of urgency surrounding resource availability and environmental sustainability to supply chain tensions and growing globalization, oil and gas operators are finding new solutions to meet the demands of this rapidly evolving sector. I need it.

As one of the top oil and gas markets in the world in terms of consumption, production and distribution, Brazil is gaining increasing attention from global investors and business leaders as a leading innovator to drive the development of these solutions. I am. -The up community is answering the phone with a flood of new ideas. By leveraging next-generation technologies such as AI, IoT and machine learning, these companies are addressing a wide range of challenges facing the Brazilian oil and gas market as well as the global sector.
This year, Apex-Brasil brought together 33 of these innovative Brazilian and start-ups at the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston. Here are some of Brazil’s biggest challenges in solving the future of oil and gas from this year’s OTC dialogue:

Photo courtesy of Apex-Brasil

1. POB and labor restrictions.

The number of people on board (POBs), or workers on board offshore rigs at any time, has constrained the growth of many offshore businesses. In fact, offshore platforms are often tens of miles away from the coast, so POBs can be limited by bed availability, transportation, housing, safety restrictions, and other similar situations. Often. This can make it difficult to expand operations as offshore rigs are limited by the number of employees on board.

Brazilian companies like Radix are trying to mitigate these challenges for operators through “digital twin” technology. By leveraging the virtual representation of physical offshore rigs, operators and a variety of other workers who previously had to be physically placed on the rig can use facilities, operating conditions, etc. without having to step into the ship. Can be evaluated remotely. These autonomous and remote technologies help offshore operators stay within POB limits, while offering the potential to significantly streamline day-to-day operations and ultimately increase productivity.

Photo courtesy of Apex-Brasil

2. Sustainable environmental practices.

In recent years, business leaders and consumers have become more and more aware of environmental impacts, and there is increasing political and economic pressure to make all industries more aware and sensitive to environmental impacts. .. As a result, many Brazilian oil and gas companies are committed to prioritizing sustainable growth in this sector.

Consider BioFink, a Brazilian-based company that manufactures unique oil-absorbing solutions made from discarded palm tree fibers. Not only are palm trees a renewable resource, but these fibers are taken from trees that would have been discarded after other uses, ensuring 100% sustainability. In the case of an offshore spill, this superabsorbent can absorb as much as 22 times its weight of oil. In addition, most of this oil is reusable. In short, there are two Biofink approaches to addressing environmental sustainability. These products help release the ocean from containment and address the aforementioned resource availability concerns.

3. Efficiency and modernization.

Many oil and gas operators are renowned companies with decades of experience and history. However, these well-established companies often find it difficult to innovate quickly and tend to stick to inefficient working models. For example, many oil and gas operators still have email and spreadsheets, even though integrated software solutions that centralize communications and project management through the cloud and “digital twin” technology are far more efficient. I use to manage my project.

As a result, Brazilian companies like BR2W are facilitating oil and gas operators to move to a more automated and streamlined working model. Traditional mechanical components of oil rigs, such as load cells, are often incompatible with Industry 4.0 or “digital twin” technology. This means that companies cannot easily adopt these new project management systems. However, BR2W is creating new WiFi control devices that can be easily replaced with existing components to help guide these companies into the 21st century.

All of these innovations are underway and many more are imminent, but it’s no surprise that Brazil’s reputation as a leader in the oil and gas industry is growing. In fact, Brazil is currently No. 1 in oil and gas production in Latin America, No. 7 in the world, and is expected to be the top five oil producers by 2030. Brazil is certainly a country that investors will pay attention to in the coming years. As a top producer and exporter, and as a top innovator.

Photo courtesy of Apex-Brasil