Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Exactly five decades ago, a discovery on the northern coast of Fluminense forever changed the trajectory of Petrobras and the Brazilian oil industry.
Exactly 50 years ago, Petrobras took a crucial step to establish itself as one of the largest global powers in the oil market.
The discovery of the Campos Basin, located on the Fluminense coast, transformed not only the history of the state-owned company but also Brazil’s energy future, placing the country among the world’s top oil producers.
On this historic milestone, Petrobras announced investments of US$ 22 billion for the next five years, promising to further transform the Campos Basin, one of the largest oil provinces on the planet.
-
Brazil grows less than its neighbors despite the advantage of oil, says IMF, while Venezuela could access up to $5 billion.
-
American company acquires rare earth mine in Brazil for R$ 13.9 billion.
-
Petrobras puts R$ 15 billion on the table and begins studies with artificial intelligence in the Marajó Basin, while projecting US$ 2.5 billion in the Equatorial Margin to explore 37 strategic sedimentary basins in Brazil.
-
Asian demand for Brazilian oil skyrockets and drives exports to a historic record in early 2026.
With these investments, Petrobras plans to revitalize the mature fields in the region, expand exploration of new reserves, and intensify the decommissioning of old structures.
This measure will also result in the creation of around 25,000 new jobs by 2028, offering new prospects for local workers, especially young people and those without previous experience in the sector.
According to the Macaé City Hall, one of the focuses of this expansion is to relax the requirements for hiring professionals, in order to allow access for people who have completed qualification courses offered by the city but who do not yet have proven experience in the market.
“It is possible to ensure that this requirement is reversed, to allow the return of many people to the market, in addition to the opportunity of the first job for many young people,” said Welberth Rezende, mayor of Macaé, during the celebration event.
According to the Macaé City Hall website, the proposal aims to support the inclusion of local professionals, ensuring that the benefits of Petrobras’s expansion reach the community directly.
The Legacy of the Campos Basin
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the discovery, the event held by Petrobras reinforced the strategic importance of the Campos Basin for the country.
The president of Petrobras, Magda Chambriard, emphasized that the Basin was fundamental in elevating Petrobras to the level of one of the largest energy companies in the world.
“The Campos Basin not only consolidated Petrobras as a leader in the oil market, but also gave Brazil a prominent position on the global stage,” stated Magda.
For her, the future of Petrobras and Brazil lies in technological innovation and the continuous exploration of the region’s reserves.
The city of Macaé, in particular, directly benefits from this historical relationship with Petrobras. Mayor Welberth Rezende highlighted, in his speech, the importance of Macaé as the “nervous center” of operations in the Brazilian energy sector.
“The partnership with Petrobras is essential for the future of Macaé, and the municipal government remains committed to strengthening this collaboration, always seeking sustainable development and job creation for our population,” added Rezende.
The Future of Macaé and the Role of Petrobras
Looking to the future of the Campos Basin means seeing new opportunities for Macaé, which establishes itself as the “Energy Capital” of Brazil.
The investments being made not only reinforce oil and gas production but also allow for a prosperous future for the city, creating a growth cycle that will positively impact various sectors of the local economy.
With the advancement of deepwater operations and the revitalization of mature fields, Petrobras is preparing for another chapter in its history, with investments of US$ 22 billion reflected in more jobs, more innovation, and more development for Brazil.
Additionally, Petrobras plans a new phase of hiring, focusing on professionals from Macaé and the region, considering the qualification courses conducted by the city hall.
The expectation is that the hiring model will be more inclusive, allowing workers without prior experience in the sector to take advantage of the new opportunities generated by the expansion of the state-owned company.
“We have a lot of work ahead, but with everyone’s collaboration, we will build a future of more success for Petrobras, for the State, and for Brazil,” said Magda Chambriard, looking towards a promising future for Petrobras, the Campos Basin, and the country.
The present and future of the Campos Basin point to an increasingly established Brazil in the global energy market. And with each new milestone achieved, Petrobras reaffirms its commitment to the country’s economic development, job generation, and the evolution of oil exploration and production operations.
Will Petrobras be able to fulfill its promise of generating 25,000 jobs by 2028, and what will be the impacts of this transformation on the Brazilian job market? Share your opinion below!
Seja o primeiro a reagir!