Schlumberger signing a joint cooperation agreement with the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) to build a key international research center on the university’s campus. The agreement marks the first research and geosciences center to be located at UFRJ Technology Park.

The Schlumberger Brazil Research and Geosciences Center (BRGC) will focus on research and development activities in the deep-water pre-salt environment, with emphasis on the development of geosciences software for the exploration and production sector; new technologies to meet reservoir challenges in pre-salt environments; and the creation of a geophysical processing and interpretation Center of Excellence covering time-lapse seismic and combined electromagnetic and seismic measurements.

“Schlumberger has a history of fostering long-standing relationships with universities in Brazil in order to hire and train professionals in the local industry,” said Ana Zambelli, Schlumberger Brazil operations general manager. “This contract not only marks a milestone for our history in the country, but also our commitment to continue contributing to the development of the local oil and gas industry and its future.”

Antoine Track, manager of the new center, commented, “Building the center on the university campus is critical for fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing and for the development of technological solutions for local industry challenges.”

Brazil was selected as the site for the center due to the availability of highly skilled professionals from many recognized universities, the broad availability of high-tech suppliers and the challenging technological needs of pre-salt reservoirs. Cesar Jaime, president of Schlumberger Latin America explained that, “while we are hiring locally to meet the immediate staffing needs of the center, a proportion of the new hires will be sent to other Schlumberger research centers worldwide to gain valuable experience in similar environments. They will later be brought back to the country to strengthen our local scientific workforce.”

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