Eduardo Autran, Kirsi Tikka and Peter French
Over 150 representatives of the global maritime industry heard an information packed lecture in which Mr Autran outlined spending plans for both the upstream and downstream spending from 2012 to 2016, including a fleet expansion programme that will see the Petrobras fleet expand from 287 ships at the end of 2010 to adding a further 146 ships by 2017.
As a result of the major investment programme Mr Autran said that Petrobras will double its production and its crude oil reserves, it will increase its refining capacity by 70% and see a 50% increase in its market. Petrobras would like to use local suppliers for the development of vessels and equipment, but Mr Autran explained that the local yards and other offshore industry lacked the expertise on its own to meet the massive demand from Petrobras.
A view from the reception
Mr Autran said that there were already 47 yards in operation in Brazil with a further 11 yards under construction. Some 62, 000 workers were directly employed in the industry, which has an orderbook totalling 6.8m dwt, and orders for 19 offshore oil platforms and a further 21 deepsea rigs.
A view of the audience
The major challenges are to increase the “local content” for these orders and for that there is a need for human resources, people with the skills to meet the demand from an expanding industry. Following his presentation, which can be seen at pdf at the end of this reporting, Mr Autran answered a wide range of questions from the audience, after which those attending enjoyed dinner at One Whitehall Place.
The annual President’s Invitation Lecture is sponsored by ABS, who were thanked by the President of the Institution, Peter French, for the support which ABS give to this and other Institution activities. Ms Kirsi Tikka, President of ABS Europe, presented Mr Autran with the “ABS Eagle .
