Eliis has launched a four-year AI research project with UFC and Petrobras to enhance PaleoScan™ for turbidite reservoir analysis, advancing new scientific frontiers and supporting innovation in one of Brazil’s key exploration basins.
Press Release. Brazil – 24 November 2025
Eliis is pleased to announce the launch of a four-year Applied Research Project in partnership with the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) and Petrobras/Cenpes, conducted under the ANP (Brazilian National Petroleum Agency) investment clause.
Through this strategic collaboration, Eliis aims to develop new AI-driven capabilities in PaleoScan™ to enhance the identification and characterization of turbidite reservoirs. The project will combine academic research excellence, industry insight, and Eliis’ innovation in seismic interpretation technology.
“This project marks an important step in our long-term commitment to bring advanced AI and physics-based technologies to the geoscience community. Partnering with UFC and Petrobras allows us to jointly explore new scientific frontiers while transforming these innovations into operational value for the industry in one of Brazil’s key exploration basins.” said François Lafferrière, COO, Eliis
Karen Leopoldino, Professor at Federal University of Ceará, added “Our collaboration with Eliis will lead to the development of an innovative AI algorithm integrated with PaleoScan™ to automatically identify and characterize siliciclastic reservoirs from 3D seismic data. This initiative reinforces Brazil’s national R&D strategy by advancing cutting-edge geophysical research within the country and strengthening partnerships between academia and global industry leaders.”
The research will be carried out by a dedicated team at UFC, including academic professors and more than ten researchers across post-doctoral, doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate levels. Eliis will lead the software development effort, while Petrobras/Cenpes will provide technical support and project steering.
This partnership underscores Eliis’ commitment to advancing next-generation geoscience technologies and strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.
Cover photo: A photo opportunity to mark the signing of the R&D project took place at the SBGf Conference 2025 in Rio de Janeiro on 19 November 2025. Pictured, left to right: Paulo Johann (Senior Advisor, Petrobras); Tiago Manes Nunes (Research Geophysics Manager, Petrobras); Guilherme Canha (Geophysics General Manager, Petrobras); François Lafferrière (COO, Eliis); Milena Frej (Geophysical Technology Manager, Petrobras); Karen Leopoldino (Professor, UFC); Elionardo Moraes Pintas (Quantitative Interpretation Manager, Petrobras); Fellippe Bione (Senior Geoscientist, Eliis); Narelle Almeida (Professor, UFC); and Kurt Machnizh (VP Americas, Eliis).
About Eliis
Eliis is a global leader in seismic interpretation software. Its flagship platform, PaleoScan™, is used by leading energy operators, national energy companies, and academic institutions worldwide to accelerate and automate subsurface understanding and decision-making. Powered by patented, time-saving Relative Geological Time (RGT) technology and an integrated AI-assisted approach, PaleoScan™ delivers next-generation geological insights with speed, precision, and clarity—for resource exploration and energy transition solutions such as carbon storage site assessment, geothermal, and wind farm site evaluation. For more information, visit eliis-geo.com
