Transpetro conducts integrated operation in Rio Grande do Sul

Largest fuel transportation and Logistics Company in Brazil and subsidiary of the Petrobras System, Transpetro recently conducted an unprecedented operation of naphtha transportation from Terminal Almirante Soares Dutra (Tedut), in Osorio (RS), to a Braskem unit, in Triunfo (RS). The operation was conducted in an integrated action with Refinery Alberto Pasqualini (Refap), owned by Petrobras and with reduced use of refinery tankage, allowing for more solid delivery logistics with greater operating efficiency.

Transpetro’s operation of transporting 100 thousand m³ of naphtha has been a well-tended success. The company’s president Sergio Machado said that the operation was possible due to its meticulous control of the Oscan 16” II and Orsul 14” oil pipes pumping capacity, associated to monitoring of the Refap and the Braskem petrochemical pole’s tankage availability.

The analysis consists of integrated work of logistics intelligence, led by Transpetro, involving its National Operating Control Center (CNCO), the Refinery Alberto Pasqualini (Refap) and the petrochemical Braskem.

Sergio Machado added that the prior study enabled the operation to use only one tank of the refinery, during a shorter period. Instead of the need to storing material while waiting for availability of pipes, the unit acted as a kind of lung, directly transferring material between oil pipes, which could operate simultaneously, always keeping the highest safety standards.

The integrated vision of the infrastructure for oil and oil products distribution across the entire national territory, and tools such as CNCO, put Transpetro in a privileged condition, allowing it to implement new solutions, and restating the Company’s status as main provider of logistic solutions for the Petrobras System.

South American Sailing Championship will promote technical exchange, says Sergio Machado

Transpetro Star Class South American Championship is being organized and sponsored by Transpetro from March 22 to March 25 in the Bay of Angra dos Reis in Rio de Janeiro. Sergio Machado, president of Transpetro, said that the tournament will bring together 30 contestants from Brazil, Argentina, Italy and the United States.

The event is being promoted by the Sailing Federation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FEVERJ) and the International Star Class Yacht Racing Association (ISCYRA).

Sergio Machado added that the aim of the event is to promote technical exchange between participants and to serve as training for the London Olympics.

Among the athletes competing for the championship are the Brazilians international champions Lars Grael - fighting for his fourth win in the class - Gastão Brum and Dino Pascolato. They will compete with foreigners such as Claude Bonanni (United States), Federico Calegari (Argentina) and Cristaldini Corrado (Italy).

One of the main classes in the sailboat category and the modality that has provided the greatest number of Olympic medals for Brazil is the Star class. It has athletes such as Torben Grael and Robert Scheidt. There are eight races altogether, divided among the child (up to 12 years), adolescent (12-18 years), adult (18-59 years), elderly (over 60 years) and special needs groups.

Sergio Machado: Transpetro goes eco-friendly, deploys better installation lining

Thinking for the environment is imperative for our century and taking a step in this direction is Transpetro. The company has been deploying a new eco-friendly lining in the installations of terminals of Paranaguá (PR), Pecém (CE), Madre de Deus (BA) and Norte Capixaba, in São Mateus (ES), confirms its president Sergio Machado.

The material that is being used by Transpetro is elastomeric. This material helps in preventing external corrosion in waterways terminals, submitted to the maritime atmosphere, which is more aggressive. This material is water-based, and so provides long-term protection. Its use ensures up to eight years of durability – four times more than the durability provided by previous techniques. In addition to increasing the safety and durability of the equipment, the measure also allows for cost reduction, said Sergio Machado.

According to the demand of the units, the new method is being applied. Firstly, the areas, particularly those exposed to maritime atmosphere, are diagnosed to verify the level of corrosion of the material. Thereafter, should the responsible team identify the need for protection reinforcement, the new, more durable technology is applied.

 Another product that helps minimizing corrosion problems is the Teflon billet, a technology that is already being applied in the Paranaguá Terminal. When installed on pipe supports, it avoids friction with the pipes, thus minimizing the process of corrosion in the region.

Transpetro, being the largest logistics company in the country, operates 49 ground and waterways terminals, 14 thousand kilometers of oil pipes and gas pipes spread across the Country and a fleet composed of 60 ships. The operations of the Company supply factories, thermoelectric plants and refineries, and generate millions of jobs to Brazilians. 

Waterway Maritime Simulator will increase local technologic content, says Sergio Machado

The National Institute of Industrial Property just granted registration to the Transpetro’s Waterway Maritime Simulator, the first 100% Brazilian maneuver simulator. The equipment results from the partnership of the Company with Petrobras intermediated by the Research and Development Center Leopoldo Américo Miguez de Mello known as the Cenpes and the Polytechnic School of the University of Sao Paulo.

Sergio Machado, former president, Transpetro, said that the simulator will play a significant role in the training and qualification of new professionals that will work in the transportation of oil and derivatives. Additionally, it will also contribute to the increase of the local technologic content with focus on the activities of the Brazilian industry of oil and gas. Since 2011 in Merchant Navy, more than 4,500 hours of training were spent, qualifying more than 400 young professionals.

The simulator is now on the process of being certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), the entity in charge of certifying and qualifying simulator technologies for the petroleum industry. Sergio Machado is hopeful about the simulator’s certification and is looking forward to its installation at Transpetro.

Brazil averts “Oil Curse” by removing disparity, says Sergio Machado

For centuries, countries with wide reserves of oil and petroleum have largely concentrated majority of power and money with themselves. But along with it comes a never ending fear of preserving it. Such countries have always been at the helm of wars and constant civil insurgency. Maintaining political and economic stability has been their major concerns. This is what is referred to as the infamous “Oil Curse”.

Various cynics and so called industry experts have voiced their opinion about “Oil Curse” hitting Brazil, which as of now, holds a high amount of oil reserve. Sergio Machado, on the contrary, has a different opinion to this. He projects Brazil to be the country that would dodge the oil curse and progress. This is because in Brazil, oil has been the harbinger of opportunities. The presence of oil reserves have improved the Brazilian economy and created employment for thousands of people. At the core of these benefits is the fact that in Brazil, economic growth is shared proportionally by all the sectors, in fact a little bit more by those in immediate need of a social upliftment.  This helps in reducing the economic disparity.

Presence of oil in Brazil has given rise to the production of oil rigs and carriers. Brazil could undermine its potential and incur heavy losses by importing ships or could make the ships domestically and facilitate growth. President Lula had a vision in this regard. That is what led to the launch of Promef - The Program for Modernization and Expansion of the Fleet. This initiative completely changed the shipping industry of Brazil. It overhauled the industry and strengthened Brazilian economy. Also, Promef led to a creation of thousands of jobs in the shipping industry.

Brazil holds the world’s 4^th largest of portfolio in oil and fifth largest portfolio of ships in general and the shipping industry employs a work force of more than 60,000 people.

Brazil’s shipping industry revival highlighted in Financial Times

Under the leadership of Sergio Machado, Brazilian shipping industry has resurfaced and that too in a stronger stance. Its position is better than it has been in the last few decades. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to call it an overhaul of the industry. And at the helm of this turning of tables is Sergio Machado, President, Transpetro. Brazilian President Lula envisioned a strong shipping industry for Brazil and started the Program for Modernization and Expansion of the Fleet (Promef) of Transpetro. On the launch of 49 vessels made under this program, Transpetro, Naval industry and Brazil found its mention in the Financial Times, one of the world's leading economic newspapers.

Before Promef came into being, the last order furnished by Petrobras was 23 years ago. By launching its first vessel titled Suezmax, Promef has confirmed the rebirth of Brazilian Naval Industry.

"In Brazil, we do not have the choice of whether or not to have ships. We have to choose whether they will be ours or not," said the president of Transpetro, Sergio Machado.

In fact, the rebirth of the shipping sector is so expansive that from only 2,000 employees in year 2000, it now has a workforce of over 60,000 people. In the first 2 stages of Promef, Transpetro completed the bidding of 46 ships out of a total of 49 and 38 of these have already been hired. Since the revival of shipping industry has opened up a number of job options, there has been a spike in the number of Brazilians joining the workforce, hence contributing to the national economy. Participation of Asian companies in the creation of Brazilian shipyards is a proof that the shipping industry of Brazil has great prospects.  

Sergio Machado talks about the importance of Promef

Under the lead of President Lula, Brazil witnessed a program aimed at the revival of the country’s shipping industry. Titled Promef, the program was incepted to breathe life to the dormant naval industry of Brazil which had been weighing heavily on the economy. The situation was pressing. With every financial cycle, Brazil was losing out on opportunities to prosper. So, creation of Promef and its success in the years to follow had become the need of the hour, says Sergio Machado, former president, Transpetro.

There was an urgency to renew the entire maritime fleet to stabilize the Brazilian economy. In fact, the average of the fleet was 23 years old majority of them were single hulled. This meant that these ships could not meet the international safety standards and environmental requirements and thus could not ply on international waters. This was the short coming which stopped Brazil from competing on a global level, emphasizes Sergio Machado. So, Brazil had no option but to charter foreign vessels for its international export and import. This created an annual deficit of USD 6 billion.

Launching Promef was the most sensible decision. It was well thought and well planned. Above all, it was well facilitated and supported by the resources available in the country. Brazil had areas where shipyards could be constructed. Metallurgical industry was more than sufficient to supply the raw materials and there was an abundance of human resource. The odds were in favor of Brazil. In the results were supremely impressive. Promef caused an entire overhaul of the shipping industry and reinstated its stature on the global front. Brazilian Naval Industry is on an extremely prospective path and shall continue to help Brazil emerge as a stronger nation.