Petrobras Expands CENPES Research Center
The new facilities, including bold construction techniques, sustainability and eco-efficiency, represent an advance for Petrobras’ technology development.
The CENPES expansion is part of a Petrobras strategy to expand the experimental capacity of the Brazilian technological park. Today the company invests more in science and technology than any other Brazilian company. In the last three years close to R$4.8 billion was invested, with R$1.2 billion going to national universities and research institutes, partners of Petrobras in the construction of experimental infrastructure, the training of technicians and researchers, and the development of research projects. In the Technology Park of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) alone, located close to CENPES, construction of research centers of at least four important energy industry equipment and services suppliers have already been announced: Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, FMC Technologies, and Usiminas.
The system for water recycling stands out. Rain water, which is collected from the roof and floor, will be recycled for the irrigation of gardens and to supply the toilets. Toilet, oil and chemical waste water will be treated by ETRA (Water Treatment and Reuse Station) and reused in the air conditioning system, allowing a reduction in consumption of potable water.
The Utilities Center, considered the heart of the complex, is responsible for the distribution of electrical energy, energy generated with diesel gas; for receiving the water treated by ETRA; and for providing the basic inputs for operation of the complex. Using state-of-the-art technology the Center has various systems capable of supplying all services, guaranteeing its ongoing and safe operation.