Applied geophysics in Brazil and the development of a national oil industry (1930 - 1960). (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peyerl, Drielli; de Mendonça Figueirôa, Silvia Fernanda
• Is Part Of: History and technology. Volume 36:Isuse 1(2020)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 104
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Geophysics -- oil industry -- technology -- Brazil; Technology -- History -- Periodicals; Technology -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 306.4605
• DOI: 10.1080/07341512.2020.1765618
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-1512

Abstract

ABSTRACT: From the late nineteenth century onwards the Brazilian state founded several public institutions involved in oil exploration: the Geographical and Geological Commission of São Paulo (CGG, 1886), the Geological and Mineralogical Survey of Brazil (SGMB, 1907), the National Oil Council (CNP, 1938), and the state-run oil company Petrobras (1953). This article details the history of geophysical exploration in Brazil over the first half of the twentieth century and its role in transforming the country into a major oil producer, stressing the involvement of foreign experts and the role of imported technology. It focuses on the close relationship between Brazil and the United States in applying geophysics techniques to scrutinize Brazilian territory in the search for oil while unveiling the commercial and political dimensions of such technoscientific exchanges.