Energy @ Rio

Posted on June 18, 2015

Rio de Janeiro’s energy boom discussed in London

9th August 2012, London: During the London 2012 Olympics, Rio Negocios, the business investment and facilitation agency for the city of Rio de Janeiro has been hosting a number of events in London to showcase the opportunities available to investors in this exciting city. On Wednesday 8th August 2012 an event was held at Somerset House, the home of Casa Brasil, to discuss with prospective investors the business opportunities available in the energy industries in Rio de Janeiro.

Event attendees heard from a number of speakers as part of a panel discussion, including Marcelo Haddad, Executive Director, Rio Negocios; Mauricio Guedes, Founder and Executive Director of the Rio de Janeiro Science Park and of the Technology Business Incubator; Adriana Machado, President of GE Brazil; Roberto Ramos, CEO Odebrecht O&G; Daniel Moczydlower, CEO Siemens/Chemtech and Francisco Nepomuceno Filho, Head of E&P Petrobras UK.

With the huge hydrocarbon deposits just off the Rio shoreline as well as the fact that Petrobras, Brazil’s biggest energy company, corporate headquarters is in Rio the investment opportunities are enormous. Coupled with this, major global events such as the FIFA World Cup 2014 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016 will see the world’s focus fall squarely on Rio.

Petrobras has already committed to investing $110 billion in to its Rio operations. This opens up a plethora of opportunities to bid for contracts for businesses that specialise in aspects of the supply, exploration and transportation of hydrocarbons. Brazilian law also means that any company generating revenue through hydrocarbons must invest 1% of profits in to R&D. With its highly educated talent pool, Rio is well placed to act as a hub for innovation in the hydrocarbon industry. GE, Siemens/Chemtech, Schlumberger and BG have all built substantial R&D facilities on the Science Park and with more than 5,000 workers is now the biggest concentration of R&D efforts in energy globally.

All of the panel were in agreement that Rio’s unique position, with substantial hydrocarbon deposits and the significant investment being made by Petrobras means that the city is a highly attractive proposition to those looking for business opportunities in the energy industry.

Below are some of the key quotes and facts which came out of the discussion. If you are interested in speaking to Marcelo or anyone else about the opportunities in Rio, please let us know.

Key quotes from the panel discussion

“Chemtech chose Rio for three main reasons, firstly it is epicentre of oil and gas in Brazil, secondly there is good co-operation between the government, the state, the municipality and private investors. Finally being in Rio is being where the clients are, it’s where both national and international business is done.” Daniel Moczydlower, CEO Siemens/Chemtech

“GE chose Rio because of the talent available in the city, in particular at the science and technology park.” Adriana Machado, President of GE Brazil

“Throughout Rio state there are extensive plans for infrastructure developments for receiving and storing of oil and gas.” Marcelo Haddad, Executive Director, Rio Negocios

“Our business plan states that we will make $236.5 billion investments. $225 billion of this will be in Brazil and of that $110 billion will be in Rio.” Francisco Nepomuceno Filho, Head of E&P Petrobras UK

“Brazil already has one of the cleanest energy matrixes in the world because of our use of hydro-power. Oderbrecht controls a company called ETH which is the biggest producer of ethanol. We also have interests in wind farm contracts. Sustainable energy production is definitely an area of focus for us.” Roberto Ramos, CEO Oderbrecht O&G

“We like to think of ourselves as an island of engineers. We have 2,500 PhD students and these all help to make the science park a tremendous draw to international companies.” Mauricio Guedes, Founder and Executive Director of the Rio de Janeiro Science Park and of the Technology Business Incubator

Key facts about the Rio Energy industry

Pre-Salt proximity

The location of these recently discovered oil fields is ideally reached from Rio

Petrobras

One of Latin America’s biggest oil companies is HQ’d in Rio
67% of E&P companies have a presence in the city

O&G R&D Excellence

Rio hosts several universities of excellence and R&D centres, such as Petrobras´ CENPES focused on O&G
More than 2,600 students enrolled in E&P related courses

Access to market