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The agreement for the CABRA (Carbon Storage in Brazilian Basalts)<\/strong> project marks a new step for Brazil in its energy transition and in advancing carbon capture and storage (CCS)<\/strong> technologies. Held on Wednesday (Nov 5) in S\u00e3o Paulo, the event was part of the 8th Energy Transition Research & Innovation Conference (ETRI)<\/strong>, which this year was integrated with the With an investment of around R$10 million<\/strong>, the project is a partnership between Equinor Brazil<\/strong> and the Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation (RCGI-USP)<\/strong>. The R&D initiative<\/strong> will be coordinated by Professor Colombo Celso Gaeta Tassinari<\/strong>, from the Institute of Energy and Environment (IEE-USP)<\/strong>, and will investigate the potential of basalt formations in the Paran\u00e1 Basin<\/strong>, especially the Serra Geral Formation<\/strong>, for mineralized CO\u2082 storage<\/strong> from bioethanol plants.<\/p>\n During the ceremony, Professor Julio Meneghini<\/strong>, RCGI\u2019s Scientific Director, highlighted the pioneering nature of the research and the importance of cooperation among academia, government, and industry.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks to Equinor, we will be able to thoroughly study the potential of Brazilian basalts for carbon storage. This is an example for Brazil and the world of how science can contribute to a more sustainable future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Representing Equinor Brazil, Cl\u00e1udia Brum<\/strong>, Vice President for Strategy and Business Development, emphasized that the project reinforces the company\u2019s commitment to low-carbon solutions<\/strong> and new technologies<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cEquinor has 30 years of experience in offshore CO\u2082 storage, but none yet in basalts. CABRA is an important step toward understanding the CO\u2082 mineralization potential in the Brazilian context \u2014 and an opportunity to generate knowledge that could lead to negative emissions in the future,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n She also noted that the project adds to the company\u2019s record of sustainable initiatives in Brazil, mentioning the start of production at the Bacalhau field<\/strong> in October, with 220,000 barrels per day<\/strong> and half the carbon intensity<\/strong> of similar fields worldwide.<\/p>\n Vahan Agopyan<\/strong>, S\u00e3o Paulo\u2019s Secretary for Science, Technology, and Innovation, stressed that there is no sustainability without science, technology, and innovation \u2014 and vice versa.<\/p>\n \u201cProjects like this symbolize the synergy we need to tackle global challenges,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Marisa Maia de Barros<\/strong>, Deputy Secretary for Energy and Mining, representing Secretary Nat\u00e1lia Resende Andrade \u00c1vila<\/strong>, highlighted the importance of the project within S\u00e3o Paulo\u2019s climate and energy strategy, whose energy matrix consists of 60% renewable sources<\/strong>, compared to 50% in Brazil<\/strong> and 15% in OECD countries<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a concrete example of how science, innovation, and industry move together toward a just energy transition. Projects like CABRA show that we are preparing today for the solutions the future will demand,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The CABRA project will assess the technical, geological, and economic feasibility<\/strong> of integrating bioethanol production with geological CO\u2082 storage. In addition to geological characterization studies<\/strong>, engineering assessments<\/strong> will be carried out to design a potential pilot project, evaluating injectivity, storage capacity, and CO\u2082 mineralization time<\/strong> in rock formations.<\/p>\n For RCGI, CABRA strengthens USP\u2019s commitment to scientific and technological advancement<\/strong> in decarbonization.<\/p>\n \u201cThe partnership with Equinor combines industrial experience with academic excellence, expanding Brazil\u2019s capacity to develop solutions with global impact,\u201d Meneghini concluded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The ceremony was also attended by Andrea Achoa<\/strong>, R&D Manager at Equinor Brazil, Professor Colombo Celso Gaeta Tassinari<\/strong>, project coordinator, RCGI researchers, and representatives of the S\u00e3o Paulo State Government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The signing ceremony took place during the Agenda SP+Verde event, part of ETRI 2025, bringing together representatives from USP, Equinor, and the S\u00e3o Paulo State Government. The agreement for the … <\/p>\n
\nSP+Verde Summit<\/strong>, organized by the S\u00e3o Paulo State Government.<\/p>\n\n
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