On 24th March 2026, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General, Mr. Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, led a delegation of officials from the Authority to undertake an Industrial visit to CENPES, the research and development arm of Petrobras, in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Petrobras is Brazil’s state controlled energy company, engaged in the exploration, production, refining, and distribution of oil, natural gas, and related products. CENPES is the main research and development (R&D) center of Petrobras and one of the largest energy research centers in Latin America, focusing on oil, gas, renewable energy, and environmental technologies.
The Industrial visit commenced with an institutional presentation by Jose Luiz Zotin, Consultant Master at CENPES, who provided an overview of the Centre’s role in advancing innovation, particularly in the deepwater and pre-salt exploration.
This was followed by a presentation from Renan Silverio, Scenarios and Strategic Intelligence Manager at Petrobras who outlined the company’s Business Plan for the period 2026–2030, highlighting strategic priorities and future investment directions.
The delegation also toured one of the Biotechnology and Microalgae Labaratory at the CENPES headquarters, where Leonardo Brantes Bacellar Mendes showcased ongoing research in biotechnology. The presentation emphasized the development of innovative products with potential applications beyond the energy sector, including agriculture.
During the discussions, it was proposed that Petrobras consider Kenya as a potential destination for diversifying its exploratory portfolio in the search for new frontiers. Additionally, opportunities were identified for collaboration between CENPES and Kenyan universities and research institutions in the area of advanced energy solutions.
The engagements are expected to continue, with a focus on knowledge sharing in key research areas, including Kenya’s advancements in geothermal energy development.
The Embassy of Kenya in Brasília facilitated the visit and will continue to engage with Petrobras to pursue partnerships with Kenyan institutions. These efforts aim to promote innovation exchange and attract relevant technologies to support the growth of Kenya’s energy sector.
