The restructuring productive process of Petrobras: The Case of the Canto Amaro/RN This summary refers to a study performed
by me, on the implementation of restructuring
production through new
technologies and new management techniques of Petróleo Brasileiro S/A - PETROBRAS - at Canto do Amaro Oil Field, in Rio Grande do Norte. It is the field that produces most of land area oil in Brazil. In this work I try to explain the changes in the work management from the adoption of new technologies in production systems and new techniques of management of the labor force of such organization.
The Petrobras is one of the most important energy companies of the world, but before being analyzed only by its productive importance, it must also be observed by their relationships established with the workforce and, in the same way, the internal processes that affect
their technological and organizational structure must be examined.
Technological developments applied to the process of oil capturing and production from the wells, through the storage and transfer of oil into pipelines, using automation and instrumentation systems for the control of advanced production that allow us to compare the previous situation from the view point of general production and specific productivity of the work, as well as the implications on professional and daily lifes of workers and laborers. In addition, discussing the
issue of new techniques of management, particularly, focusing the issue of outsourcing that is widely used by Petrobras, including the fact that it is unlawful when replacing jobs by outsourced labor force.
The survey has a multiple approach, with interviews, both
quantitative, bibliographical and documentary review. It was applied with the corporate area, involving engineers, supervisors, technicians, operators, maintenance personnel, Petrobras and contractors and technical coordinators of automation. Seventeen collection stations were visited, contacting the professionals at operational, maintenance, supervision and automation areas. Of course, our review could not disregard the economic nature of this process, because it lies in the economic interest and the reasons for such changes occurred within the context of neoliberalist globalization.
The fundamental interest of the company was - and still is - raise their productivity and competitiveness aimed at lifting their profits and, as public company, responding to society in general and particularly to shareholders, including the goals of privatization.
The survey results confirmed the expectation proposed, that the application of new technologies in oil production and new management techniques, meet, mainly, the company interests and at the same time, interfere the professional life of workers demanding access and
acquisition of new expertise, and a relative improvement in ergonomic conditions carrying out their tasks. But it also interfere the daily life of workers and their families because of a sense of insecurity about their future.
As predicted the application of the new technologies and techniques represent, for the company, the possibility of lifting its productivity and competitiveness in line with its corporate strategy to meet their expectations of financial results and the market itself, which was to have a "clean" company to be attractive to the interests of privatization.