F EA T URES
Natural gas: Creating wealth for Brazil Brazil aims to expand the important role that natural gas plays in the country’s energy matrix. By José Carlos Broisler Oliver The natural gas industry is currently
needs a source of energy not only for
such as Germany, Japan, Spain and the
one of Brazil’s most promising with
its transition to renewables, but also
United States. The other energy alter
significant development potential
for stabilising its energy system. And
native, hydropower, which accounted
due to certain key factors.
that is where natural gas comes in as a
for 65% of the nation’s electricity
solution. In the future, we foresee an
supply in 2017, is insufficient to meet
solar and wind renewable energy,
energy profile based heavily on
demand, given the periods of low
given that solar energy cannot be
renewable energy sources, but with
reservoir levels. Furthermore, no major
generated during the night and winds
natural gas playing a significant role in
projects are currently planned for this
are abundant in certain regions, but
complementing power generation, as
energy source, given the saturation
not constant. Therefore, the country
already is the case in other countries,
of this power generation segment.
First is the intermittent nature of
Brazil has abundant natural gas resources. (above ) This FPSO platform in the Lula Extreme South area of the Santos Basin processes oil and gas. (o p p o s ite above ) This marine seismic vessel is prospecting for new resources in the Campos Basin.
48 Natural gas: Creating wealth for Brazil
