Coppe and CNOOC advance in the creation of a Sino-Brazilian energy innovation hub
Planeta COPPE / AI and Digital Transformation / Blue Economy / Energy / Institutional News / Low Carbon / News
Date: 26/05/2025

Coppe/UFRJ and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) took an important step towards the consolidation of an international strategic alliance by holding the kick-off of the Brazil-China Center for Scientific and Technological Innovation last Friday, May 23rd. The meeting marked the beginning of the formal implementation of the center, which is the result of an agreement signed in 2024 between Coppe, Petrobras, CNOOC and the China University of Petroleum (CUP-Beijing).
The importance of the initiative was reinforced by the presence of a high-level delegation from CNOOC, led by the company’s vice president, Zhang Yuan, which signals the strong Chinese interest in collaborating with Coppe and strengthening bilateral relations in science and technology. CNOOC is one of the largest energy companies in the world, with strategic operations in the offshore oil and gas sector, and the only Chinese company to participate in a Brazilian pre-salt field.
During the meeting, Coppe director, professor Suzana Kahn, and vice director, professor Marcello Campos, welcomed the Chinese representatives and presented the guidelines that will guide the development of the center. Also participating were director of the Center for Low Carbon Solutions, Alfredo Renault; head of Coppe Internacional, Pedro Spadale; and researcher Rejane Rocha, executive secretary of the Brazil-China Center.

The new innovation hub will be structured in seven thematic committees, formed by representatives of the four partner institutions, focusing on priority areas for the future of the energy industry:
- Cost-reducing technologies
- Offshore decarbonization
- Decommissioning, redeployment and reuse of assets
- igital applications (such as artificial intelligence and data analysis)
- Use of natural gas with high CO₂ concentration
- Renewable energy
- Institutional committee (responsible for legal and administrative aspects)
At the meeting, professor Marcello Campos also presented a proposal to structure five technical working groups, expected to operate over three years, organized on the following fronts:
- High-performance computing and artificial intelligence – cross-functional support for other groups
- Advanced exploration and evaluation
- Optimized field performance
- Optimized drilling
- Asset integrity
In addition to the formal start of the center’s activities, the partnership’s schedule includes a major event for the second half of the year: the 1st Brazil-China Forum on Innovation in Marine Science and Technology, to be held in October on the Coppe/UFRJ campus. The forum is expected to bring together representatives from academia, companies and governments from both countries to deepen technical exchange and promote the joint development of cutting-edge technologies aimed at energy transition.
The creation of the Brazil-China Center represents a milestone in the internationalization of Coppe’s research and in the strengthening of scientific relations between Brazil and China, with the potential to generate relevant innovations in the field of sustainable energy and strengthen Brazil’s position as a global protagonist in the offshore sector.gerar inovações relevantes no campo da energia sustentável e fortalecer a posição do Brasil como protagonista global no setor offshore.
- Artificial Intelligence