The IBP tries to guarantee, together with the Federal Government, the entry of foreigners on oil platforms, justifying the need for people with specific knowledge

95% of the extraction and production of oil and gas in Brazil comes from offshore activities, that is, extraction in the high seas (deep and ultra-deep waters). Just like food production and the health service, the activities that guarantee the production of oil and gas cannot stop, given the countless consequences that may arise if this input is lacking.

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At such a crucial moment as this one, when Brazil and the world are facing a pandemic, the lack of basic supplies and services can compromise the lives of many.

For this reason, the Brazilian Institute of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (IBP), chaired by Clarrisa Lins, is moving to ensure that some of the restrictions imposed by governments do not interfere with this very fundamental activity.

Offshore oil and gas production, for example, requires the presence of professionals from other countries, who have specific knowledge. But, as everyone knows, the country has restricted the entry of people from abroad, in order to stop the spread of the disease.

The IBP together with the Federal Government try to reach an agreement to guarantee the entry of these professionals in the national territory. The institute also tries, through other actions, to guarantee fuel supply and support public health.

Below is the statement from the Brazilian Institute of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (IBP) on its actions to prevent and combat the coronavirus.

“Inform Brazilian society and our stakeholders

Brazilian Institute of Oil, Gas and Biofuels – IBP, an entity that brings together the main companies in the oil and gas industry installed in Brazil, stands in solidarity with Brazilian society in a moment of unity in the fight against the pandemic caused by the coronavirus.

We speak on behalf of all our associates – more than 300 companies, ranging from oil and gas production to fuel distribution, with the responsibility we have to provide energy in a safe and reliable way. At this critical moment humanity is going through, we need to ensure that this essential service will not be lacking in the national territory.

Thus, our companies work incessantly, dedicatedly and carefully to protect the health of everyone involved in the production chain, guarantee the integrity and safety of our operational activities and continue to provide critical fuel and LPG supply services to the Brazilian population. .

We have had the partnership of the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and the State Governments, as well as the regulatory bodies with which we interact and we reiterate our thanks.

It is essential that some aspects of our activities are preserved, in this moment of crisis and exceptionality that we are experiencing, in view of the complexity of our value chain. Several government instances have already shown themselves to be sensitive to these aspects, some of which are reiterated below.

national supply

We work to ensure that the national territory is not the target of interruption in the distribution of liquid fuels and LPG. Thus, we need to have a continued guarantee of movement of trucks and people essential to this activity, with the necessary security, in all the States of the Federation.

Aware that the Federal Government is harmonizing possible restrictions on circulation with State Governments, we rely on this articulation to guarantee the continuity of supply.

Offshore Production

More than 95% of Brazilian oil and gas production is carried out at sea, in deep and ultra-deep waters. Workers dedicated to this activity operate on a shift basis, embarked on offshore platforms. Following the recommendations of the World Health Organization and all the necessary measures to preserve the safety of personnel, operating companies are adapting their regimes to the crisis situation and hope to have the support of all parties involved.

Some activities related to the operation of the platforms are carried out by expatriates, as they have specific knowledge, and it is necessary to ensure that they can enter the national territory. We are working with the Federal Government to do so.

Regulation

Our activity is regulated by several bodies, to which we report on a recurring basis. In this time of crisis, we are, in partnership, optimizing efforts to prioritize what is essential for maintaining safe activities and providing essential services. We appreciate the open dialogue and understanding of all involved.

humanitarian action

We applaud the actions that some companies have taken to offer solutions to the sanitary challenge that afflicts us. We started, in dialogue with our associates, the identification of additional measures to support public health and we will communicate them as soon as they are ready.

The IBP maintains an open and transparent communication channel with its associates and with Brazilian society. Aware of its role as provider of an essential good for the economic activity of our country and the well-being of the population, IBP and its associated companies are committed to doing everything in their power so that we can, together, overcome this crisis .

Finally, we sincerely appreciate the dedication of all those who, at this very special time, are committed daily to ensuring the continuity of the industry's operations. Let us maintain the necessary care and protection.”