40 Years of Partnership: CMG & Petrobras

As part of this milestone, Pramod Jain, CEO of CMG, shares his perspective on the 40-year collaboration, our expansion in Brazil, and what lies ahead.

Some partnerships are measured in years. A few, in decades.
Ours with Petrobras now spans 40 years.

In an industry shaped by constant change, evolving technologies, increasing reservoir complexity, and shifting energy priorities, relationships like this are rare. What makes this one stand out is not just its longevity, but how it has evolved over time.

From the early days of reservoir simulation to today’s integrated, data-driven workflows, this partnership has grown alongside the industry itself, and in many ways, helped shape it. But beyond the technology and milestones, what has made it truly meaningful is the people.

Over the past three decades working with Petrobras, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many of the engineers, managers, and leaders who have shaped this collaboration. What began as technical discussions often grew into long-standing professional relationships and, in many cases, genuine friendships.

Over time, you build a level of trust that goes beyond the work itself. You understand how each other thinks, challenge each other’s ideas, and share a commitment to solving problems the right way.

That’s what makes this partnership special to me. It’s not just about technology. It’s about the relationships we’ve built along the way.

A Partnership That Shaped Technology

Our relationship has never been a traditional vendor–client dynamic.

From the early years, Petrobras played an active role in advancing simulation capabilities, not just using the technology, but contributing to how it evolved. Their engineers engaged deeply with models, tested edge cases, challenged assumptions, and brought real-world complexity into development conversations.

If I were to describe the foundation of this relationship in a couple of words, two stand out very clearly. Trust. And co-creation. Perhaps the best example is CoFlow, which was developed through close collaboration between teams to bring together subsurface and surface understanding into a more integrated system. Built with real workflows, field data, and operational challenges at its core, it reflects what this partnership has always stood for – practical innovation grounded in real-world applications.

This spirit of collaboration has extended across multiple areas, from solver development and high-performance computing to seismic interpretation and AI-driven workflows, continually pushing both teams forward.

The 40-Year Celebration in Rio

This milestone came to life through a series of engagements in Rio, bringing together teams, ideas, and shared experiences.

The week began with a technical workshop at the Petrobras headquarters, setting the tone in the most fitting way. A packed room, high engagement, and thoughtful discussions throughout reflected the depth of interest and the strength of the technical relationship between the teams. Questions came in even before the first session had concluded – a clear sign of the curiosity, openness, and rigor that have always defined this partnership.

These exchanges went beyond presentations. They were working conversations grounded in real challenges, shaped by experience, and driven by a shared intent to improve how problems are solved in the field.

Later, the focus shifted from technical exchange to celebration, recognizing the people behind the partnership. Many of them have worked together for years, some for decades, building not just technical solutions, but lasting professional relationships.

And while the evening celebrated the past, it also carried out a strong sense of what lies ahead – continued collaboration, deeper integration, and new opportunities to innovate together.

Investing in What Comes Next

The week concluded with the inauguration of CMG’s Rio R&D Center, a natural next step in this journey.

This new center reflects our clear commitment to:

• strengthening collaboration with Petrobras and other partners 
• investing in local talent and expertise 
• accelerating innovation through closer technical exchange 

Its focus spans areas such as high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced subsurface technologies, all critical to the future of the energy industry.

More importantly, it brings teams closer together, enabling faster iteration, deeper collaboration, and more meaningful impact.

Looking Ahead

Forty years is a significant milestone, but it is not the destination.

As the industry evolves, so do the challenges, and the need for collaboration continues to grow. This partnership has always been about moving forward – together. And as we look ahead, we do so with the same principles that have defined the last four decades:

Trust. Collaboration. Innovation.

And for those of us who have been part of this journey for many years, a deep appreciation for the relationships that have made it all possible.