FAPESP and BG Brasil Invest $20m in Brazil-Based Research Centre on Gas

FAPESP, Brazil’s leading regional funding agency for scientific research, and BG Brasil (member of BG Group) have signed a US$20 million cooperation agreement to jointly fund clean energy research and development, helping the country to sustainably exploit its huge oil and gas potential.

The purpose of the agreement between BG Brasil and FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation) is to fund a Research Centre for Gas Innovation in São Paulo state by selecting research proposals to work on the following themes: clean energy consumption to mitigate generation of greenhouse gases; developing natural gas as fuel for shipping; improved engineering techniques for gas production; and the conversion of gas into chemical feedstocks, including hydrogen. Each partner will invest up to US$10 million over a five-year period.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony at Brazil’s London Embassy. Sir John Grant, BG Group’s Executive Vice President, Policy and Corporate Affairs, and FAPESP President Celso Lafer attended the ceremony.

Olivier Wambersie, Chief Technology Officer of BG Group, said “BG Group’s approach to R&D, in line with its corporate strategy, is very much to collaborate in partnership with world class scientific centres and apply innovations to the business issues we face. The R&D levy generated from our oil and gas production in Brazil provides us with the funding for our research in country.”

“Proper scientific study of energy efficiency and the mitigation of greenhouse gases will contribute to enhanced energy security as the shift to gas continues, not only in Brazil, but worldwide,” said Prof. Lafer.

“As Brazil is emerging as a global energy producer, the Centre will help ensure Brazil strengthens its reputation for sustainable energy consumption and responsible best practice,” he added.

“The partnership with BG Brasil adds to FAPESP’s strong portfolio of support for university-industry joint research. The long term envisioned for the Research Centre for Gas Innovation — to be implemented through an open call for proposals — allows the Centre to have bold objectives in the creation of new knowledge and its applications, as well as the training of scientists and engineers,” said Professor Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz, scientific director of FAPESP.