Professional Training Program for the Oil, Gas, and Energy Sector

• Grant number: 25/03734-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: João Paulo Lima Santos
• Grantee: João Paulo Lima Santos
• Host Institution: Centro de Tecnologia. Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL). Maceió , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The proposed Human Resources Training Program (PRH) aims to train highly qualified professionals with a holistic vision, prepared to work in the oil, gas, and energy sector. With a focus on the strategic and innovative use of digital technologies, participants will be trained to tackle the challenges of exploration and production in a scenario of increasing energy integration and technological transformation.The program will be implemented at the Federal University of Alagoas. The interdisciplinary approach connects strategic areas related to exploration, production, and development, with a cross-cutting focus on operational safety and efficiency, digital transformation, and decarbonization, fostering synergy among these topics. The proposed interdisciplinary strategy plays a fundamental role in training highly qualified specialists, enabling them to address the challenges of energy integration. By connecting areas such as engineering, materials science, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and digital transformation, this approach promotes the development of innovative and efficient solutions for the sector. In this proposal, the oil and gas industry is positioned as a strategic axis, serving as an essential pillar for the integration of the energy matrix. Complementary courses will be offered in specific areas, including entrepreneurship, innovation, and data science, in addition to integrative seminars to enhance the connection and synergy of topics developed within the program.The faculty members have extensive academic experience and a recognized technical-scientific production record. Among the participants, 13 are CNPq productivity fellows, with notable contributions to national and international scientific production and solid experience in R&D projects. Additionally, the faculty members have received academic and technological awards, including the ANP Technological Innovation Award, honorable mentions at national and international conferences, and institutional recognitions. The group also holds registered patents and has developed specialized software for computational modeling, advanced simulations, and process optimization in the oil, gas, and energy sector, reinforcing its strong role in technological innovation and the development of industry-applied solutions.The proposing group has significant experience in executing projects linked to the ANP's R&D clause. Over the past five years alone, more than BRL 165 million has been executed in the development of technologies for the regulated oil, gas, and energy industry across 23 projects. Funded projects encompass the development of digital tools, computational modeling, and technological innovation tailored to the oil, gas, and energy sector. Notable initiatives include pipeline integrity analysis, cost management and well interventions, submarine landslide simulation, tools for risers and flexible pipelines, geomechanical modeling, digital transformation in subsea engineering, well integrity during drilling and operation phases, and the development of catalytic materials. These projects strengthen applied research and the integration between academia and industry, promoting safety, operational efficiency, and innovation in the energy sector.Furthermore, the group's consolidated experience in conducting strategic projects in partnership with industry and funding institutions reinforces the program's capacity to integrate multidisciplinary knowledge and provide solutions aligned with the needs of the oil, gas, and energy sector. The interdisciplinary approach enables the convergence of areas such as digital transformation, decarbonization, and the development of new technologies, fostering excellence in training that prepares participants for the challenges of the energy transition and the increasing complexity of the global market. (AU)