© copyright FACULTY of ENGINEERING ‐ HUNEDOARA, ROMANIA 157 1. Ramon B. NARCIZO, 2. Alberto G. CANEN, 3. Iara TAMMELA SME’S INNOVATION CAPABILITY AS A RESOURCE TO MEET FUTURE LOGISTICAL DEMANDS OF BRAZILIAN OIL INDUSTRY 1-2. COPPE/FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO, P.O. BOX 68507, RIO DE JANEIRO, 21941-972 - RJ, BRAZIL 3. FLUMINENSE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING, RECIFE ST. S/N, JARDIM BELA VISTA, RIO DAS OSTRAS, 28890-000 - RJ, BRAZIL ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to systematize the knowledge related to the innovation capability of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the exploration and production (E&P) of oil and natural gas in Rio de Janeiro state (Brazil). This systematization consists in the early stages of a larger study, which aims to formulate a reference model oriented to the evaluation of the innovation capability of these SMEs, focusing on a maturity trajectory. This model can guide innovation efforts of these companies in order to meet future technological and logistics demands of oil E&P in the Brazilian offshore. KEYWORDS: Innovation, capability, SME, Oil and natural gas, Brazil, Logistics INTRODUCTION The petroleum was, throughout the twentieth century, the main source of energy in the global energy matrix. And its prominent position tends to remain, at least during the first decades of this century. Although losing ground to cleaner and renewable energy sources, oil and natural gas will still be a majority in the energy scenarios as mentioned by [1]. According to [1], a study made by the International Energy Agency (IEA), between 2006 and 2030 there will be a 45% increase in global energy demand. Oil will lose its share by about 4% in the world energy matrix, but global consumption will grow from 80 million (2006) to 106 million (estimated for the year 2030) barrels per day (bpd). In Brazil, the situation will be similar. There will be a decrease in oil demand from 36% (2008) to 27% (2030). However, in the same period, consumption will increase from 1.95 million to 3.0 million bpd. The same study indicates that, considering only existing producing oil fields and its natural decline, a world production is projected for the year 2030 of 31 million bpd. With an estimated global demand of about 106 million bpd, the deficit of 75 million bpd could be partly supplied by the improvement in recovery factor from existing fields. Still, the greatest increase will occur through the incorporation of new oil discoveries, with volumes able to meet the anticipated demand. Brazil hopes to meet part of this deficit through the exploitation of the reserves located in the region of the “pre-salt” layer [1]. Thus, it is observed that the discovery of oil in this region becomes relevant not only nationally but also in the global scenario. In Brazil, it was agreed to call “pre-salt” to a group of rocks located in the marine portions of most of the Brazilian coast of because these are a rocky range that extends beneath an extensive layer of salt. The region of the pre-salt’s oil province is located in the Brazilian Continental Shelf and extends from the coast of Espírito Santo to Santa Catarina, an area of approximately 149,000 km². Its area of occurrence, whose oil potential does not equal to any other so far discovered in Brazil, represents around 2.3% of total sedimentary basins (land and sea), totaling 6.4 million square kilometers [2]. Total reserves of the pre-salt layer are not fully known. However, considering solely the potential volumes announced and yet not fully quantified, a volume of oil is estimated that is capable to double current Brazilian reserves. These fields can produce more than 1.8 million barrels per day (current production is about 2.0 million) until the year 2020. In that same year, the total production of the country should be around 4.0 million bpd [1]. However, oil and gas exploration in this region constitutes a complex problem. There is a huge range of logistical and technological challenges that must be overcome [1]. It will take high financial resources for the implementation of production projects, training of manpower, qualification of the