On June 2, the Brazilian Institute of Economics (FGV/IBRE), FGV Energia and Conjuntura Econômica Magazine promoted the 4th Seminar on Brazilian Matrix and Energetic Safety - one of the main forums to debate and disclose the energy issue in the country nowadays. In this edition, the goal was to deepen discussions on planning, energy safety and perspectives for the area, and had the participation of experts, government and business leaders from the industry.

During the day, four panels addressed the political scenario, perspectives and strategies of the power, oil and gas industry market, and energy safety through the use of thermal plants and alternative sources. The event official opening was conducted by FGV Vice-President, Sergio Franklin Quintella, and the president of Petrobras, Maria das Graças Foster presented the first seminar – and defended the policy of local content for the oil and gas industry.

The importance of pre-salt

According to Maria das Graças Foster, the local content policy is not an obstacle in pre-salt exploration. “It is an investment to develop the industry of goods and services in Brazil and those who work in the oil industry know the advantage of having the Brazilian naval and offshore industry recovering,” she said.

The president of Petrobras also highlighted that oil production in pre-salt accounted for 22% of the total volume extracted by the company in Brazil, in May, and that the country is expected to export 1.8 million barrels of oil per day from 2020 to 2030, thanks to the exploration of the layer. “We have to meet demands. There are other sources of supply, but oil will still be the most important one in Brazil for a long time, and in the world,” she reminded.

Energy deficit risk is reduced

The executive secretary for Mines and Energy, Márcio Zimmerman, stated in the event that the system is turning back to normality after a weak period of rains in January and February - which reduces the risk of energy deficit. “Flow levels have been much better than those from January and February. This situation has improved and risk decreased,” he explained.

Maurício Tolmasquim, president of the Energy Research Company (EPE), agrees that the scenario is more positive, but does not rule thermal plants out at this point. “The model indicates that some thermal plants may even be shut down. We probably won’t shut them down for precaution. But there is a sign of improvement,” he emphasized.

Hermes Chipp, director-general of the National Electric System Operator (ONS), has also showed caution. “May and June continue with intensive rain in the South and rains close to the average in the Southeast region. However, while this is not set, we are not counting on it for the operating scenario,” he said.

During the event, FGV was represented by the president of the institution, Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, the Vice-President Sergio Franklin Quintella, the Vice-President Francisco Oswaldo Neves Dornelles, the counselor Lindolpho de Carvalho Dias, FGV Energia Executive Director, Carlos Otavio Quintella, FGV/IBRE Director, Luiz Guilherme Schymura, FGV (FGV/DINT) International Director, Bianor Cavalcanti, (FGV/DPEI) Innovation and Strategic Planning Director, João Paulo Villela, (FGV/DO) Director of Operations, Mario Rocha Souza, the Director of the Institute for Educational Development (FGV/IDE), Rubens Mário Wachholz, (FGV/DAPP) Public Policies Analysis Director, Marco Aurélio Ruediger, (FGV/DAPP) Public Policies Analysis Deputy Director, Rogério Sobreira, IBRE Researcher, Maurício Canêdo, and the superintendent for Communication and Disclosure of IBRE, Claudio Roberto Conceição.

Besides Maria das Graças Foster, Márcio Zimmerman, Maurício Tolmasquim and Hermes Chipp, the Director of the Brazilian National Agency of Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), Helder Queiroz Pinto; the Superintendent Director of Votorantim Energy, Otávio Rezende; the President of the Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute (IBP) and the Committee of Corporate Cooperation from FGV, João Carlos de Luca; the President of Statoil Brazil, André Jacques de Paiva Leite; the State Secretary for Economic Development, Energy, Industry and Services of Rio de Janeiro, Júlio Bueno; the President of Firjan System Energy Council, Armando Guedes Coelho; the President of Eletronuclear, Othon Luiz Pinheiro da Silva; the Director of Ethanol of Petrobras Biofuel, Milas Evangelista de Sousa, among others, participated in debates.

Senai, Statoil, Chevron, Tractebel energy, Votorantim Energy supported the 4th Seminar about Matrix and Energetic Safety, and Compactor provided institutional support.