TBG participated in the Rio Pipeline Conference, from November 9th to 11th, one of the largest conferences held among the international gas transport pipeline community. The event brought together several national and foreign experts to address issues related to this year's conference theme: “Knowledge and Energy for a New Market”.

This year’s three-day event was totally organized through the use of a digital platform. A wide variety of pipeline segment market representatives had access to highly relevant technical contents, which included specialized debates on improving efficiency, quality and safety throughout the natural gas pipeline transport chain.

On the first day of the conference, TBG's technical consultant, Marcos Bartelotti, participated in the special session entitled “Data Integration and the Effectiveness of Integrity Management Programs”, in which he debated the implementation of new technologies to improve the security of gas pipeline transport operations.

On Wednesday, November the 10th, TBG was represented by Sergio Binensztok, TBG Safety, Environment, Energy Efficiency and Health Manager; Rafael Bandeira - New Business and Regulation consultant, and Jorge Hijjar, the Company’s Commercial Director.

In the morning, Sergio Binensztok participated in the ESG - Environmental Social and Governance meeting, where he presented a speech based on the theme: “Operation of the Gas Pipeline in a Time of Pandemic”. He went on to discuss all the initiatives taken by TBG in the implementation of strict anti-Covid protocols through the Employee Health and Operational Continuity Campaign, which includes 24-hour medical support to employees by providing information regarding Covid -19. He also spoke about the elaboration and dissemination of the “10 Golden Rules for Combating Covid”, among other actions taken by TBG over the year.

Furthermore, Binensztok reported that during the Covid pandemic period, the TBG Gas Pipeline was totally operated - 100% - through remote control actions, thanks to a digital teleworking system.

In the afternoon, Rafael Bandeira took part in a roundtable discussion mediated by ATGas, on the topic - “New Channels for a New Gas Market”.  Jorge Roberto Hijjar spoke at the plenary session on “Gas Supply Alternatives in Brazil and Pipeline Sector Opportunities”. He spoke about his vision of the promising moment in the national market including the flexibilization of Input and Output models, to offer short-term products capacity. He also commented on the partnership between carriers aiming at the integration of the national system and the commercialization of shared products; among other improvements and expansion initiatives.

Hijjar also commented on the offer of new products, such as LNG from the intersection of the TBG gas pipeline at the Garuva (SC) terminal, and new sources of natural gas supply, such as Argentina and  pre-salt offshore production. The Commercial Director ended his participation stating that the trend in the national natural gas market is to expand and provide new business opportunities for those who are aware of the demands and prepared to make the necessary adaptions to the new market.

On the last day of the Rio Pipeline Conference, TBG was also represented by three other representatives, namely, Robson Coelho, Head of Business and Regulatory Affairs, who participated in the debate on “Natural Gas Competitiveness, including commercialization and business models”; Marcelo Moya, TBG Coordinator of Environmental and Third-Party Prevention Actions; and Gilberto Hernandez, Geoprocessing Consultant at the Company. Moya and Gilberto participated in panel discussions on “Pipeline Inspections”.

During the morning sessions, Robson Coelho spoke about how a carrier can contribute to the competitiveness in the natural gas market. He commented on the entry and exit model, the new environment in which agents now have direct access to the gas transport system and the role that the gas molecule now plays in the market.

In addition, the TBG manager addressed the challenges of transitioning from the old to the new market model being introduced in the country, and the need to modernize market agents' mindset, improve dialogue, increase supply capacity and the use of digital transformations in the system, with emphasis on using new platforms, such as the marketplace shared by TBG, NTS and TAG: the digital Capacity Offer Portal (POC).

In the afternoon meetings, Marcelo Moya mediated a special session on Transport Integrity entitled, "Pipeline Inspections". Gilberto Hernandez addressed key issues related to the use of technology to monitor the conditions in the pipeline, taking into account the characteristics of each regional geography where the TBG pipeline detains rights-of-way.

Hernandez also highlighted the importance of technology using modern tools for inspection processes including high-resolution satellite images for monitoring the rights-of-way along the Bolivia-Brazil Gas Pipeline

TBG was a Gold Sponsor of the Rio Pipeline 2021 Conference and made an outstanding contribution to the event through its representatives by presenting strategic topics and content aligned with the new dynamics of the natural gas market in the country.