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TCU Audit Reveals Problems in Managing Innovation Programs in Oil and Mining, Highlighting Lack of Goals at ANP and Inactivity of ANM in Strategic Investments.
A report released this Wednesday (September 3, 2025) by the TCU (Tribunal de Contas da União) revealed serious flaws in Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D&I) programs in the oil and mining sectors. The analysis focused on the actions of ANP (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis) and ANM (Agência Nacional de Mineração).
According to the document, the lack of clear goals, strategic indicators, and effective monitoring compromises the advancement of innovation in essential areas for the Brazilian economy.
Oil Sector: Billions Without Real Impact Assessment
In the case of oil and natural gas, the TCU found that the ANP did not establish measurable objectives for R&D&I programs. Instead of evaluating concrete results, the agency prioritized solely the accounting analysis of investments.
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In practice, what is observed is a check on the correct application of funds, but there is no measurement of whether the projects generated innovation or direct benefits for the national industry.
Furthermore, the report also cites contractual restrictions that limit the participation of Brazilian suppliers. From 1998 to 2023, the program moved around R$ 30.2 billion, of which 81% (R$ 24.4 billion) was allocated to Petrobras.
Projections indicate significant growth: by 2030, revenues could reach R$ 7 billion, reinforcing the need for adjustments in management and resource allocation.
Mining: Complete Lack of a Structured Program
In the mining sector, the situation is considered even more serious. Established in 2017, the ANM has never regulated an R&D&I program, despite having the legal authority to do so.
According to the TCU, the lack of infrastructure means that mandatory investments in innovation were not implemented. The contrast is evident when observing that the gross revenue from mining reached R$ 248 billion in 2023.
Only large companies, such as Vale, invest in research, usually focused on process improvements. Between 2011 and 2017, the 70 largest companies, responsible for over 80% of revenue, allocated only 0.5% of net income to R&D&I. Meanwhile, thousands of small and medium-sized mining companies did not make investments in innovation or technologies to reduce environmental impacts.
Another critical point is the budget cuts for research. Resources allocated to CETEM (Centro de Tecnologia Mineral) suffered cuts of over R$ 500 million in the last five years, reducing the sector’s ability to develop long-term solutions.
TCU Recommendations for ANP and ANM
In light of the failures, the TCU made a series of recommendations. For the ANP, the tribunal calls for a complete review of the strategic management of R&D&I programs, with the definition of medium and long-term goals and indicators that allow for measuring results.
It also recommends analyzing the possibility of updating old oil and gas exploration contracts. The idea is to align these contracts with more recent rules, which determine that 30% of resources be allocated to Brazilian suppliers. This would stimulate the national industry and increase local content.
Additionally, the agency should improve processes for oversight, accountability, monitoring, and evaluation. The current model, excessively focused on financial compliance, may discourage bolder innovation projects. The TCU suggests that Aneel, with a more structured program, serve as a reference.
In the case of ANM, the main recommendation is that the creation of an R&D&I program be included in the next regulatory agenda (2027-2028). According to the Tribunal, this issue should be treated as a priority, even amid budgetary and personnel limitations.
Despite the agency’s claims about its internal difficulties – of the 2,121 effective positions, only 700 are filled – the report is categorical:
“Despite the existing budgetary and structural difficulties, the audit team believes that this fact does not justify the inactivity of ANM regarding the regulation of R&D&I in the mining sector. According to the information provided by the regulatory agency itself and the priorities present in its regulatory agenda, the regulation of R&D&I is an unrelated and unknown issue to ANM,” states the TCU.
A Petrobras investe bilhões em desenvolvimento todos os anos e tem resultados expressivos como o asfalto a frio, combustível renovável, biocombustíveis, exploração em águas ultra-profundas, refinarias a carbono zero até 2035, reinjeção de CO2 nos poços do pré sal, QAV zero enxofre e tantas outras inovações. E agora voltou a pesquisar energias renováveis. ANP sim serve pra absolutamente nada. Refinaria de Manguinhos deita evrola com adulteração e sonegação e nunca foi fiscalizada. Refinaria de Mataripe derramou 120 mil litros de óleo no mangue, ninguém apareceu.
Materia esquisita. A Petrobras investe bilhões em desenvolvimento todos os anos e tem resultados expressivos como o asfalto a frio, combustível renovável, biocombustíveis, exploração em águas ultra-profundas, refinarias a carbono zero até 2035, reinjeção de CO2 nos poços do pré sal, QAV zero enxofre e tantas outras inovações. E agora voltou a pesquisar energias renováveis.