“Since 2021, in an emblematic effort, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), led by Maria Angela Capello, mobilized the global geophysics community through the Geophysical Sustainability Atlas. In Brazil, Petrobras, with more than 650 geophysics professionals, recognizing the importance of this awareness, created within its Research Center (CENPES) a research line dedicated to Sustainable Geophysics in New Frontiers and Reserve Replacement. In 2025, we established Sustainable Geophysics Serving Society as the theme of the SBGf Conference Rio ’25. The OceanHub was the culmination of this vision: its presence, panels, and lectures aligned perfectly with what we most need: raising awareness within the Brazilian geophysical community about the preservation of ocean life.”
We are currently in the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), the Ocean Decade, which issues a global call for different sectors to collaborate beyond their traditional boundaries, triggering a true revolution in ocean science. Within this context, nothing is more timely than connecting Geoscience with ocean conservation during the largest geoscience event in Latin America.
As a global professional society dedicated to advancing applied geophysics in service of society, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) has actively supported initiatives that connect geoscience, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. Through its sponsorship of OceanHub and its long-standing leadership in geophysical sustainability, SEG helped bring global perspective, technical credibility, and international visibility to this landmark initiative at SBGf Conference Rio ’25.
From November 18 to 20, during the SBGf 2025 Congress, OceanHub—supported by SEG in collaboration with regional and industry partners—established itself as one of the most visited and talked-about spaces of the event.
“We designed the space as a meeting point between Geosciences, technological innovation, and marine conservation, and it fulfilled this role with intensity and depth. And, with great pride, it was endorsed by UNESCO — Ocean Decade as an official partner-program activity.”
— Daniella Bordon, BGP Offshore and Leader of the SBGf 2025 Sustainability Committee
The realization of OceanHub was made possible through the collaboration and support of key industry and professional partners. SEG served as a main sponsor, reinforcing its global commitment to sustainable geophysics and its mission to connect applied geoscience with societal and environmental responsibility. Additional support was provided by CNPC do Brasil, BGP, EAGE, Searcher, and On Projeções, whose contributions helped strengthen and expand the initiative.
The space also featured the presence of Brazil’s leading marine conservation projects: Humpback Whale Project, Coral Vivo Project, and Albratross Project, all present with a dedicated booth, presenting their initiatives and expanding partnership opportunities.
At the center of the space, the Ocean Experience – 3D Immersive Exhibition stood out as one of the highlights of OceanHub. Designed to bring the audience closer to the marine environment through large-format images that created an immersive experience, it was
widely praised by participants and described as “inspiring, educational, and a necessary bridge between society and the ocean.” Over the three days, it became one of the most photographed spaces of the event.
“It was an experience that brings people and oceans together with respect and enchantment.”
The exhibition attracted researchers, technical professionals, public agencies, and, importantly, a large number of students reinforcing OceanHub as a space where science, innovation, and communication came together.
For SEG, whose mission includes supporting the next generation of geoscientists worldwide, the strong student engagement at OceanHub underscored the importance of integrating sustainability, environmental awareness, and interdisciplinary thinking into geoscience education and professional development.
More than visitors, students acted as a bridge between academic knowledge and developing issues, demonstrating that the emergence of new leadership is key for Brazil to advance toward a modern, interdisciplinary, and sustainable approach to ocean management.
Building on these efforts, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) has made a deliberate and sustained commitment to strengthening its engagement across Latin America—reaching not only experienced professionals, but also students and early-career geophysicists through targeted events, workshops, and professional development opportunities.
By investing in local presence and culturally relevant programming, SEG continues to foster meaningful connections that support career growth, knowledge exchange, and long-term leadership development throughout the region. A key milestone in this effort was the recent addition of Fernanda Clara Hermes, SEG Latin America Market Development & Engagement Manager, whose deep regional insight and close connection with the geoscience community have significantly strengthened SEG’s ability to engage, listen, and respond to the needs of its Latin American members. These advances have been further amplified through SEG’s strong partnerships with SBGf and BGP, enabling collaborative initiatives like OceanHub to make a tangible and lasting impact.
“Our work in Latin America reflects SEG’s belief that meaningful progress happens when we meet communities where they are—supporting professionals, empowering students, and creating pathways for the next generation of geoscientists,” said Joe Reilly, President of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. “Through our partnerships with SBGf and BGP, and with dedicated leadership on the ground, we are strengthening connections, expanding access to professional development, and ensuring that geophysicists across the region are equipped to lead in a rapidly evolving global energy and sustainability landscape.”
Debates that Shape the Future of the Ocean
OceanHub’s program featured panels and individual presentations that enriched participants’ experience. Among them, the panel “Continental Shelf: Where Science, Wealth, and Sovereignty Meet” stood out, bringing a deep discussion about the strategic role of LEPLAC (Brazilian Continental Shelf Survey Plan) in defining the limits of Brazil’s continental shelf.
LEPLAC is the official Brazilian government program responsible for studying and proving, based on scientific criteria, the country’s continental shelf extension beyond the 200 nautical miles initially established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Geophysical data are the foundation for applying the criteria of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
— Lorena Sampaio, LEPLAC
The research highlighted how multichannel seismic data, gravimetry, and bathymetry allow the application of Article 76 of UNCLOS, enabling Brazil to consolidate its continental margin with strong legal support.
Isabel King Jeck expanded on the topic by reinforcing the need for continuous updates to the program: “The technological evolution since 1989 is enormous. That’s why we always seek the best data possible within the state of the art.”
She also emphasized the importance of collaboration with the oil and gas sector, which provides extremely high-quality seismic data, frequently praised by international experts.
Geophysics and Conservation: A Necessary Encounter
The relevance of geophysical data in scientific advancement reappeared in the panel “Marine Geophysics for Habitat Mapping.” The debate showed how geophysics is essential for identifying, characterizing, and monitoring sensitive ecosystems, directly contributing to conservation strategies.
As summarized by Chris Walker (BGP Offshore):
“There is an enormous volume of seismic data acquired by the oil and gas industry. With new imaging technologies, these data can reveal much more about marine habitats,” highlighting the potential of techniques such as FWI (Full Waveform Inversion) and imaging with multiples to transform older datasets into advanced environmental mapping.
In the same direction, Alex Bastos (UFES- Federal University of Espirito Santo) explained how geophysical data support the creation and expansion of Marine Protected Areas: “Geophysics shows what exists on the seafloor: sand, mud, reefs, rhodoliths, macroalgae … It is the basis for deciding where to conserve.”
By integrating geophysics with field data, it becomes possible to model habitats and define priority areas for conservation.
The value of ocean data also took center stage in the panel “Ocean Data for a Shared Future,” which brought together Seabed2030, Fundação Projeto Tamar, IBAMA (Brazilian Environmental Authority), and UNIVALI/EnerGeo. Cristiano Vilardo (IBAMA) set the tone of the debate: “The biggest challenge is not technical. It is social. It is creating a governance framework that allows data to be shared,” said Vilardo.
He explained that real progress requires trust agreements, temporary exclusivity mechanisms, and data-sharing models that respect both scientific and corporate interests.
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) also featured prominently at OceanHub, bringing together the Brazilian Navy, companies, and academic institutions. José Pizzorno (Environpact) summarized clearly:
“Marine Spatial Planning studies how human activities can be allocated without degrading the environment. It prevents high-impact activities from occupying the same space.”
His statement illustrates the importance of this tool for a well-managed sea, balancing exploration and conservation.
These discussions reflect SEG’s long-standing role as a neutral global convener—bringing together industry, academia, regulators, and students to advance responsible data use, scientific collaboration, and informed decision-making.
Energy Transition at Sea
The energy transition was another major highlight of the program, aligning closely with SEG’s broader focus on applied geophysics across emerging energy systems, including offshore wind and marine renewables.
Arthur Ayres (UFF) emphasized the multidisciplinary nature of these projects: “It is essential to involve multiple expertise: regulation, engineering, and environment.”
He reinforced that the integration of research, technology, and legislation is what ensures the legal and technical security of offshore wind projects.
Meanwhile, Narelle Maia de Almeida (UFC- Federal University of Ceará) drew attention to the geological complexity of the seafloor: “What we have observed is that the seafloor is not homogeneous, as one might think. There are many heterogeneities at the surface and subsurface. So some of the main geological and geophysical challenges are precisely the acquisition of high-resolution data, processing, and interpretation so that we can properly understand the seafloor in areas where offshore wind turbines must be installed.”
Her statement reinforces why geophysical mapping is indispensable for both environmental and engineering decisions.
When Science Listens to the Ocean
Given the wide possibilities for geophysics to contribute to advancing knowledge and conserving the oceans, it is essential to recognize that the potential impacts of sound generated by marine seismic activities cannot be ignored.
Understanding this, Petrobras, through investments in Research, Development & Innovation (using resources from special participation clauses, monitored by ANP- National Petroleum Agency), and through CENPES, is conducting innovative projects dedicated to evaluating acoustic effects on marine species and developing new technologies for underwater environmental monitoring.
These efforts reflect the same principles SEG promotes globally: advancing geophysical innovation while responsibly addressing environmental impacts and societal expectations.
At OceanHub, we had the opportunity to learn about two of these outstanding projects: MARESIS and MAPC, both essential for improving scientific understanding and supporting more responsible offshore practices.
“Sound is the main sensory system of the underwater world. Recording these signals expands our understanding of cetaceans in unprecedented ways.”
— Arthur Andriolo, Instituto Aqualie
MARESIS (Marine Mammal Individual Responses to Seismic Surveys), led by the Humpback Whale Institute in partnership with Socioambiental Consultores Associados, seeks to understand how whales and dolphins respond to seismic prospecting.
Using non-invasive tags, drones, and acoustic sensors, the project collects behavioral, acoustic, and physiological data to quantify changes in vocalization, movement patterns, stress, and other biological indicators.
Conducted in the Campos and Santos Basins and at Abrolhos Bank, the project runs until 2026, building scientific foundations to improve mitigation measures and reduce the need for operational shutdowns, reconciling efficiency with animal welfare.
“We want to understand not only behavior but also physiology: stress, health, and the real impacts of seismic surveys. The goal is to reconcile operations with animal well-being.”
— Leonardo Wedekin, Socioambiental Consultores Associados
The MAPC (Scientific Passive Acoustic Monitoring), developed by Instituto Aqualie and Immer Messen, expands understanding of cetacean bioacoustics and seismic impacts through innovative acoustic technologies.
Among its advances are a towed hydrophone array, the use of a DAS (Distributed Acoustic Sensing) tool developed in Brazil to record underwater sounds via optical fiber, and digital tools such as a WebGIS platform and an online classifier for automatic identification of biological and geological sounds.
Guilherme Weber (Immer Messen) emphasized that the system already processes terabytes of data from subsea cables in the South Atlantic, enabling continuous, non-invasive, large-scale monitoring. The results strengthen both geophysical assessments and ecological studies, creating a new paradigm for monitoring marine ecosystem health and supporting offshore operations with greater environmental responsibility.
According to him, the platform represents: “a technological leap that integrates science, operations, and conservation using already-available infrastructure,” opening the door to unprecedented applications in research, licensing, and maritime safety.
“The same dataset captures seismic activity, animal vocalizations, and wave patterns. It is an integrated view without precedent”
— Guilherme Weber, Immer Messen
A Milestone for Integration Between Geosciences, Conservation, and Collaboration
“The OceanHub brought ocean culture to the geophysical community through the transformative 3D immersive exhibition, which touched, enchanted, and brought students, researchers, professionals, and decision-makers closer to the ocean. Additionally, in our panels, we discussed crucial topics for our future such as offshore wind, habitat mapping, MSP, LEPLAC, and many others. It became evident how powerful qualified dialogue is in shaping a more sustainable future for the ocean! When the event ended, I was deeply moved to see science, governance, companies, and society gathered in the same space, building together a sea of possibilities.”
— Narelle Maia de Almeida, UFC and SBGf’25
Sustainability Committee member
OceanHub demonstrated that the path to a sustainable future for the oceans depends, above all, on collaboration, among science, industry, public policy, students, and society.
It is from this meeting of diverse knowledge that more robust and innovative solutions emerge to protect the ocean in this decisive moment of history.
By bringing together specialists, companies, researchers, and a large number of young geoscientists, the space became a true catalyst for knowledge and cooperation. More than presenting technical content, OceanHub fostered empathy, collective responsibility, and the understanding that no sector advances alone when the subject is marine sustainability.
“I believe that OceanHub brought the environment in a very representative way to SBGf’25. This is very important because it generates empathy, the recognition that our activities do not exist in isolation. And the participation of young geophysicists was essential in this process, because we are planting an environmental seed in the training of the new generation.”
— Eduardo Marcon, Petrobras and SBGf’25 Sustainability Committee member
“OceanHub is a powerful example of how geophysics can serve society when science, industry, and conservation work together,” said Joe Reilly, President of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. “SEG is proud to support initiatives like this that connect global expertise with regional leadership, inspire the next generation of geoscientists, and demonstrate that applied geophysics has a critical role to play in protecting our oceans and advancing a sustainable future.”
Through its support of OceanHub, SEG reaffirmed its mission to advance applied geophysics while promoting responsible stewardship of the Earth’s resources. With deep debates, tangible results, and an atmosphere of collective construction, OceanHub became a meaningful contribution to the SBGf Conference Rio ’25 and a decisive step toward connecting geosciences and marine conservation—demonstrating that when collaboration, science, and shared purpose come together, it is possible to shape a more sustainable future for the sea, the planet, and humanity.
“OceanHub: where science, industry, and conservation meet to shape thefuture of the ocean.”
