La banque d'un monde qui change 2004 - BNP Paribas

PETROBRASA Shining Example of Public and Private SectorsWorking Hand in Hand on GeochemistryLuiz Antonio Freitas TrindadeHead of GeochemistryPetrobras - Client of BNP Paribas - Rio de JaneiroIn some countries in the world, theory andpractice are not sworn enemies – they go handin hand. Why should it be necessary to foregoone or the other when one can have the best ofboth? This is just what Petrobras, the Brazilianoil giant, had in mind when it joined forceswith the Federal University of Rio de Janeiroin 1997 to create Cegeq (Centro de Excelênciaem Geoquímica – Centre of Excellence inGeochemistry). Cegeq is an ultra-efficientpublic-private network which aims to “developand apply new methods and techniques inPetroleum Geochemistry and to teach talentedstudents and young professionals who wishto follow a career as scientists in this field”.Given the vast spectrum of subjects coveredby the geochemistry discipline – from physicsto environmental science – Cegeq membershave a mountain of pure or applied researchareas or dissertation subjects to chose from.But whatever their passion, they have thereassurance of knowing that they are workingwith experts – both university professorsand professionals working for Petrobras.And the benefits are clear to all concerned– Petrobras can see through to completionprojects “which could not be carried out dueto lack of time” while the university is ableto send its best students to the oil company,or guarantee them the company’s assistanceon research projects. As a result, “severalfundamental and theoretical improvements havebeen achieved”, for example in the statisticaltreatment of geochemical databases.