Public policies and technological innovation in Brazil’s oil and gas industry: a patent perspective
Corresponding Author(s) : Rodrigo Cunha Oliveira
Future Energy,
2025: In Press
Abstract
The Oil & Gas (O&G) sector is the mainstay of Brazil's energy matrix. Given the complexity of the segment's activities, searching for new technologies and optimizing the effort and costs involved in the process are frequent objects of study for the players operating in this field. Based on this premise, there is a need to invest in innovative studies and research. The National Innovation System (SNI) is mainly responsible for promoting investment in Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I) in the country, and patents are a relevant input in the technological production process. In this way, this research aims to investigate whether innovation promotion mechanisms influence the technological production of the main players in the Brazilian O&G sector. The methodology used consisted of the following steps: selection of the main regulatory frameworks related to NIS in the O&G sector; identification of the main Oil Companies, National Suppliers, and Research Units and their respective participation in ANP RD&I Clause projects, using the ANP's open database; a patent survey of the main players using the EPO's Espacenet open database; treatment and correlation of patent data in the light of the selected regulatory frameworks. The results showed that most of the players analyzed have the practice of technological protection through patents in the global context. However, only some companies linked to projects with resources from public policies to encourage innovation showed results that refer to Brazilian participation in the development of these patents. It becomes clear that certain regulatory frameworks have a major influence on patent production in Brazil, both positively and negatively.
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- IBP. (2022). The Brazilian O&G sector (p. https://www.ibp.org.br/personalizado/uploads/2022/09/ibp-the-brazilian-og-sector-en.pdf).
- Azevedo Filho, E. T., Palma, M. A. M., Perestrelo, M., da Hora, H. R. M., & Lira, R. A. (2019). The pre-salt layer and challenges to competitiveness in Brazil: Critical reflections on the local content policy in the oil and gas Sector. The Extractive Industries and Society, 6(4), 1168-1173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2019.09.009
- Mendonça, R. W., & de Oliveira, L. G. (2013). Local Content Policy in the Brazilian Oil and Gas Sectoral System of Innovation. Latin American Business Review, 14(3-4), 271-287. https://doi.org/10.1080/10978526.2013.833477
- Federal Law no 10.973 of 2004, (2004). http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2004-2006/2004/lei/l10.973.htm
- Mendes, L. S., & Marques, C. L. (2018). Innovation in the Brazilian productive system: A brief commentary on Decree 9.283/2018 in light of Law 13.243/2016 and art. 219-A of the Federal Constitution. . . p., 119.
- Mancini, L. (2015). Regulatory Environment and Endogenous Technological Development in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry in Brazil. Day 1 Tue, October 27, 2015, D011S011R002. https://doi.org/10.4043/26295-MS
- ANP Resolution no 799 of 2019, (2019). https://atosoficiais.com.br/anp/resolucao-n-799-2019-altera-o-regulamento-tecnico-anp-no-3-de-2015-anexo-a-resolucao-anp-no-50-de-25-de-novembro-de-2015-que-estabelece-as-normas-para-a-aplicacao-de-recursos-a-que-se-referem-as-clausulas-de-pesquisa-desenvolvimento-e-inovacao-p-d-i-presentes-nos-contratos-para-exploracao-desenvolvimento-e-producao-de-petroleo-e-gas-natural-bem-como-estabelece-as-regras-para-comprovacao-das-atividades-de-p-d-i-e-respectivas-despesas-realizadas-pelas-empresas-petroliferas-em-cumprimento-as-referidas-clausulas-contratuais?origin=instituicao
- Etzkowitz, H., & Leydesdorff, L. The Triple Helix-University-Industry-Government relations: A laboratory for knowledge-based economic development (January 1, 1995). EASST Review, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 14-19, 1995, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2480085
- MORAIS, José Mauro de; TURCHI, Lenita Maria. Technological innovation system in the oil and gas sector. Radar: Technology, Production and Foreign Trade, no. 24, pp. 7-15, 2015. Available at: https://repositorio.ipea.gov.br/handle/11058/5415.
- Miranda, J. I. de R., & Verde, L. H. L. (2018). An economic analysis of the Brazilian results in the Global Innovation Efficiency Index in the face of the new framework for science, technology and innovation (Law n. 13.243/2016). Economic Analysis of Law Review, 9(2).
- Paula, F. de O., & Cavalheiro, G. M. do C. (2021). Examining the relationship between patent applications and financial positions in the upstream Oil and Gas Industry: Evidence from Brazil. Journal of Innovation Management, 8(4), 78-102. https://doi.org/10.24840/2183-0606_008.004_0005
- Cavalheiro GM do C, Joia LA, Gonçalves AC (2014). Strategic patenting in the upstream oil and gas industry: Assessing the impact of the pre-salt discovery on patent applications in Brazil. World Pat Inf. dezembro de 2014;39:58–68.
- Deorsola, A. B., Rodrigues, A. D., Polato, C. M. S., Dupim, L. C. de O., Amorim, R. M., Bencke, S. G., & Winter, E. (2013). Patent documents as a technology mapping tool in the Brazilian energy sector focused on the oil, gas and coke industries. World Patent Information, 35(1), 42-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wpi.2012.10.006
- Espacenet - patent search. European Patent Office. https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/
- ANP. (2022). ANP Open Data - Research and Development and Innovation (RD&I). National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels. https://www.gov.br/anp/pt-br/centrais-de-conteudo/dados-abertos/dados-abertos-pesquisa-e-desenvolvimento-e-inovacao-pd-i
- David, O. B., de Carvalho, B. E. F. C., Braga, M. A., Isfer, R. B., Esteves, H. B., & Regra, A. (2021). Examining transfer of rights surplus-Brazilian case. The Journal of World Energy Law & Business, 14(3), 176-189. https://doi.org/10.1093/jwelb/jwab014
- OLIVEIRA, Renato Lima de. Resource-led industrial development in the oil and gas global value chain: The case of Brazil. In: TORDO, Silvana; SANCHEZ, Gonzalo; ARFAA, Yahya (Eds.). Local Content Policies in the Oil and Gas Sector. Washington, DC: The World Bank, 2013. pp. 259-302. Available at: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429053092-13/resource-led-industrial-development-oil-gas-global-value-chain-renato-lima-de-oliveira.
- FERREIRA, Marta Lucia Azevedo; RAMOS, Ricardo Rezende. Technological networks and partnerships in the Brazilian oil sector: The case of Petrobras. Revista Espacios, vol. 38, no. 32, p. 3, 2017. Available at: https://www.revistaespacios.com/a17v38n32/17383203.html.
- SILVA, Cássio Garcia Ribeiro Soares da. Government Procurement and Technological Learning: An analysis of Petrobras' procurement policy for its offshore ventures. 2009. 302 f. Doctoral Dissertation (Ph.D. in Scientific and Technological Policy) – Institute of Geosciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, 2009. Available at: https://repositorio.unicamp.br/acervo/detalhe/467488.
References
IBP. (2022). The Brazilian O&G sector (p. https://www.ibp.org.br/personalizado/uploads/2022/09/ibp-the-brazilian-og-sector-en.pdf).
Azevedo Filho, E. T., Palma, M. A. M., Perestrelo, M., da Hora, H. R. M., & Lira, R. A. (2019). The pre-salt layer and challenges to competitiveness in Brazil: Critical reflections on the local content policy in the oil and gas Sector. The Extractive Industries and Society, 6(4), 1168-1173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2019.09.009
Mendonça, R. W., & de Oliveira, L. G. (2013). Local Content Policy in the Brazilian Oil and Gas Sectoral System of Innovation. Latin American Business Review, 14(3-4), 271-287. https://doi.org/10.1080/10978526.2013.833477
Federal Law no 10.973 of 2004, (2004). http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2004-2006/2004/lei/l10.973.htm
Mendes, L. S., & Marques, C. L. (2018). Innovation in the Brazilian productive system: A brief commentary on Decree 9.283/2018 in light of Law 13.243/2016 and art. 219-A of the Federal Constitution. . . p., 119.
Mancini, L. (2015). Regulatory Environment and Endogenous Technological Development in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry in Brazil. Day 1 Tue, October 27, 2015, D011S011R002. https://doi.org/10.4043/26295-MS
Etzkowitz, H., & Leydesdorff, L. The Triple Helix-University-Industry-Government relations: A laboratory for knowledge-based economic development (January 1, 1995). EASST Review, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 14-19, 1995, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2480085
MORAIS, José Mauro de; TURCHI, Lenita Maria. Technological innovation system in the oil and gas sector. Radar: Technology, Production and Foreign Trade, no. 24, pp. 7-15, 2015. Available at: https://repositorio.ipea.gov.br/handle/11058/5415.
Miranda, J. I. de R., & Verde, L. H. L. (2018). An economic analysis of the Brazilian results in the Global Innovation Efficiency Index in the face of the new framework for science, technology and innovation (Law n. 13.243/2016). Economic Analysis of Law Review, 9(2).
Paula, F. de O., & Cavalheiro, G. M. do C. (2021). Examining the relationship between patent applications and financial positions in the upstream Oil and Gas Industry: Evidence from Brazil. Journal of Innovation Management, 8(4), 78-102. https://doi.org/10.24840/2183-0606_008.004_0005
Cavalheiro GM do C, Joia LA, Gonçalves AC (2014). Strategic patenting in the upstream oil and gas industry: Assessing the impact of the pre-salt discovery on patent applications in Brazil. World Pat Inf. dezembro de 2014;39:58–68.
Deorsola, A. B., Rodrigues, A. D., Polato, C. M. S., Dupim, L. C. de O., Amorim, R. M., Bencke, S. G., & Winter, E. (2013). Patent documents as a technology mapping tool in the Brazilian energy sector focused on the oil, gas and coke industries. World Patent Information, 35(1), 42-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wpi.2012.10.006
Espacenet - patent search. European Patent Office. https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/
ANP. (2022). ANP Open Data - Research and Development and Innovation (RD&I). National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels. https://www.gov.br/anp/pt-br/centrais-de-conteudo/dados-abertos/dados-abertos-pesquisa-e-desenvolvimento-e-inovacao-pd-i
David, O. B., de Carvalho, B. E. F. C., Braga, M. A., Isfer, R. B., Esteves, H. B., & Regra, A. (2021). Examining transfer of rights surplus-Brazilian case. The Journal of World Energy Law & Business, 14(3), 176-189. https://doi.org/10.1093/jwelb/jwab014
OLIVEIRA, Renato Lima de. Resource-led industrial development in the oil and gas global value chain: The case of Brazil. In: TORDO, Silvana; SANCHEZ, Gonzalo; ARFAA, Yahya (Eds.). Local Content Policies in the Oil and Gas Sector. Washington, DC: The World Bank, 2013. pp. 259-302. Available at: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429053092-13/resource-led-industrial-development-oil-gas-global-value-chain-renato-lima-de-oliveira.
FERREIRA, Marta Lucia Azevedo; RAMOS, Ricardo Rezende. Technological networks and partnerships in the Brazilian oil sector: The case of Petrobras. Revista Espacios, vol. 38, no. 32, p. 3, 2017. Available at: https://www.revistaespacios.com/a17v38n32/17383203.html.
SILVA, Cássio Garcia Ribeiro Soares da. Government Procurement and Technological Learning: An analysis of Petrobras' procurement policy for its offshore ventures. 2009. 302 f. Doctoral Dissertation (Ph.D. in Scientific and Technological Policy) – Institute of Geosciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, 2009. Available at: https://repositorio.unicamp.br/acervo/detalhe/467488.