Sylvia Anjos attended her first AAPG Annual meeting in San Antonio 1984. She was expecting her daughter and pursuing a doctorate at the University of Illinois.
“The event’s president asked if I was from Brazil and told me that one day I would chair this conference in my country,” she said. “Back then, it felt like a distant dream – and today, more than 40 years later, here I am, living that reality.”
Now she has one of the most influential positions in the global energy sector: exploration and production director at Petrobras, Brazil’s national oil company.
She has another “baby,” the AAPG’s 2025 International Conference and Exhibition in Rio, and she serves as general chair.
Anjos describes the role of ICE general chair as a very special accomplishment.
“AAPG has played an extraordinary role for over a century, promoting geoscientific knowledge and directly contributing to the development of the oil industry,” she said. “Since my early years in the field, AAPG has always been a global reference.”
ICE Rio 2025 comes to her hometown of Rio de Janeiro Sept. 30 – Oct. 3. Anjos attended previous ICE events in Rio in 1998 and 2009 and appreciates the opportunity to contribute more proactively this year.
“This is the third edition of ICE in Brazil, and being able to lead it at this moment is extremely meaningful,” Anjos said. “We are in a promising phase for the sector, with the resumption of exploratory activities after the challenges of the pandemic, the pursuit of new frontiers and the strengthening of national production.”
She expects ICE to be a success in all its dimensions – technical, corporate and academic – and appreciates the opportunity to celebrate her profession, geology.
“We want to further highlight the value of geoscience, without which the oil and gas industry would not exist. And beyond that, we want to expand our view to new opportunities, such as geothermal energy and natural hydrogen, which are still emerging but hold great promise,” she said.
“After all, it was geoscience that led us to discover oil in Brazil, where few believed it was possible – and today, we are leaders in deepwater production. That’s why we must never doubt our potential. We need to study, invest in training, capacity building and technological development. That is exactly what we are striving for, and ICE is a powerful platform to foster this progress, connecting Brazil to the best ideas and practices from around the world.”
She described ICE as a unique opportunity to promote training, knowledge exchange and technological advancement, connecting Brazil to what is most advanced globally.
A Historic Moment
Anjos said she is deeply grateful to contribute to ICE during a historic moment for Brazil and for Petrobras.
Petrobras’ own production reached approximately 2.9 million barrels of oil equivalent per day this quarter, and also some record production levels, with operated production reaching 4.2 million barrels.
“Petrobras is actively evolving to meet both current energy demands and the global shift towards sustainability. We continue to invest heavily in the pre-salt region, which remains a core asset thanks to its high productivity, lower carbon footprint, and competitive costs. These investments ensure Brazil’s position as a key player in the global oil and gas market,” she said.
“At the same time, Petrobras is expanding its efforts in energy transition. We are focusing on projects in carbon capture and storage, where we lead Brazil with the largest carbon capture initiative in the world. This aligns with our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing cleaner energy technologies.”
Anjos said ICE is a crucial event for Brazil and Petrobras because it brings together experts, decision-makers and innovators from around the world to share knowledge and collaborate on the future of energy.
“ICE highlights Brazil’s importance as a key player in the global energy landscape and showcases our technical capabilities, especially in deepwater and pre-salt exploration,” she said.
“For Petrobras, ICE represents a strategic opportunity to connect Brazil with the international geoscience community, learn about cutting-edge technologies and strengthen partnerships that support our growth and innovation goals. The event also allows us to demonstrate our commitment to energy transition and sustainable development by sharing our experiences and initiatives,” said Anjos. “Moreover, ICE fosters dialogue on balancing energy demands with environmental responsibility, a challenge central to Brazil’s energy strategy. By participating in ICE, Petrobras and Brazil position themselves at the forefront of global efforts to meet today’s energy needs while preparing for a low-carbon future.”
Partnership with ABGP
In addition to meeting technical and business objectives, Anjos sees ICE as a platform for strengthening connections between professional associations and shaping future generations of energy professionals.
“In this edition of ICE, something that has deeply motivated me is the magnificent work we are doing in partnership with the Brazilian Association of Petroleum Geologists (ABGP in Portuguese), of which I had the honor of being president twice,” she said.
“It is a long-standing collaboration, and at this event, we are taking a very special step: bringing geology and geophysics students from all over Brazil closer to our field,” she added.
“We expect to host more than 200 students, offering them the opportunity to understand up close the strategic importance of the oil and gas industry – not only as a source of energy production but also as a driver of innovation and technological development in the country,” Anjos continued. “This initiative, amidst a technical program of the highest level, is particularly special to me. I am very passionate about contributing to the education of these young people, showcasing the greatness of our industry, and inspiring them to be part of this future.”
Collaboration, Innovation and Connections
Anjos hopes ICE will foster meaningful collaboration among geoscientists, industry leaders and policymakers from around the world.
“It is important that the event encourages open dialogue on the challenges and opportunities in energy, especially the balance between meeting global demand and advancing sustainability,” she said.
“I also hope ICE inspires innovation by sharing the latest technologies and research that can drive the energy transition forward. For Brazil and Petrobras, it is an opportunity to showcase our commitment to responsible energy development, to learn from others as we work toward a lower-carbon future and to inspire future generations to engage with our industry,” she added.
Reasons to Attend
Anjos described ICE as one of the best conferences to stay updated on the latest developments in geoscience and the energy sector.
“The event brings together experts, researchers and industry leaders from all over the world, creating a rich environment for learning and sharing ideas,” she said.
“It is also a great chance to network with professionals who face similar challenges and opportunities, opening doors to new partnerships and collaborations.”
For those early in their careers, ICE offers valuable opportunities to connect with mentors and gain insights that can help shape their future.
“The event will bring geoscience students from across Brazil to learn more about our industry and inspire them to pursue careers in the energy sector,” she said.
“Attending ICE means being part of the global conversation about how to balance energy needs with sustainability and contributing to solutions that will impact the future of our industry and planet.”
AAPG ICE Rio takes place at the Windsor Barra Convention and Expo Center Sept. 30 – Oct. 3.
See the program and register online at ICEEvent.org.