Guilherme Estrella, Petrobras' exploration chief, has claimed that the company is Brazil's space programme.

In an interview with Bloomberg earlier this year, Estrella claimed that the national spirit is contained within the company, which is itself now fighting for the right to retain control of the country's vast offshore oil and gas reserves.

The news agency conceded that with the dramatic plunge in oil prices, it may be more difficult for the company to stay in possession of the fields, which Exxon and Royal Dutch Shell are both vying for.

It is estimated that it will cost up to $600 billion to develop the pre-salt reserves, with recoverable reserves estimated at $3 trillion at today's oil prices.

Losing control of the fields could impact on Petrobras' commitment to the provision of workers for the oil and gas industry.

It currently operates two dedicated oil and gas education centres, located in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.

5th Global Education and Training event for Oil and Gas: Exploration and Production