Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro and Saudi Arabia should be connected, starting in 2010, in research in the oil area. Petrobras announced yesterday (19) an agreement for technological cooperation with the French-American Schlumberger for the development of reservoirs in the pre-salt layer. The agreement forecasts the implementation, next year, of a research centre on Fundão Island, in Rio de Janeiro. The site should be part of a network of excellence including 13 centres in countries in Saudi Arabia, Norway, Canada and Singapore.
Petrobras and Schlumberger believe they may work on four research fronts in the areas of oil and gas. There will be studies of electromagnetic technologies for improvement in the characterisation of deep reservoirs, as well as technologies for analysis of seismic figures to improve the characterisation of reserves. They should also research nuclear magnetic resonance technologies, turned to the characterisation of complex reserves, and H2S electrochemical sensors.
There are, also, another six projects being negotiated according to information disclosed by a spokesperson for the oil company. Petrobras should invest US$ 10 million in projects. The agreement should last three years and may be renewed for another three years. The Fundão centre of excellence should be the first established in the Southern Hemisphere. According to the executive director at Schlumberger, Antônio Ferreira, the technological centre should open approximately 300 posts for Brazilian technicians.
According to the Export and Production director at Petrobras, Guilherme Estrella, it is important for Petrobras to establish strategic alliances with renowned companies, like Schlumberger. According to him, the agreement should help deal with the challenges that should arise with the beginning of company activities in the pre-salt layer. "This date represents much for us and for Schlumberger. In five or ten years we will notice how important this day is for us," said the director.
From China
Still yesterday, according to Agência Brasil, Petrobras opened negotiations with China Development Bank (CDB) – the largest fostering bank in the world – for a financing line that may reach US$ 10 billion. The funds should be used in exploration of the pre salt layer, with participation of the Chinese state-owned oil company Sinopec.
A memorandum of understanding in this respect was signed during the visit of the vice president of China, Xi Jinping, to Brazil. According to Petrobras president Sérgio Gabrielli, the details of the contract should be defined up to May, for signing during the visit of president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the Asian country.
Apart from the partnership in exploration of oil in Brazil, an agreement signed yesterday between Petrobras and Sinopec forecasts the supply of 60,000 to 100,000 barrels of oil per day in 2009. A memorandum of understanding was also signed with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) for supply of 40,000 to 60,000 barrels per day.
"They are two important trade agreements and one possible financing agreement, very important, showing the need for training of new sources for the financing of Petrobras investment," said Gabrielli after signing the documents, still according to Agência Brasil.
*Translated by Mark Ament
