27 October 2015, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A recent explosion on an offshore oil and gas platform operated by Brazil's Petrobras killed at least three workers. Brazil's oil industry regulator, ANP, said that fire caused by the blast had been contained and the platform had been stabilized.(Source : BBC)

ANP (Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels) is the regulatory agency that oversees activities undertaken by the oil, natural gas and biofuel industries in the country. It inspects and monitors the sector's regulated industries. It also publishes statistics and promotes studies on petroleum potential and the development of the sector.

Latin America is witnessing heavy investments in the oil and gas industries due to new discoveries in shale oil, subsalt oil, heavy oil in recent years in Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela respectively. Apart from oil and gas, the region has immense potential to export large volumes of biofuels. With a rise in the number of workers and investments for utilizing these reserves it becomes important to focus on the health, safety and environment aspect. Incidents like oil spills, fire and explosion keep occurring but can be prevented and so it's very important to stay updated on the latest HSSE development, strategies, regulations and future outlook in the region.

To keep you updated on the latest HSSE trends and regulations in the region, Fleming Gulf has organized 4th Annual LatAM HSSE in Energy set to take place in Rio between 2 -3 December 2015. ANP is providing institutional support to the event. Key note session on improving health & safety in energy sector – the regulatory side will be delivered by Marcelo Mafra Borges de Macedo, Head of Operational Safety and Environment Division, ANP. The session covered by him will focus on working on an effective legislative framework and its compliance and enforcement policies of the HSE legislative system in Latin America.

Other highlights of the event include case studies from Petrobras and Power Latin America, master class on risk evaluation & risk based decision from Praxair and motivational leadership from PCS Nitrogen Trinidad.