The team at ABL Group shares the passion, vision and values for working in energy and the world’s oceans, de-risking and driving the energy transition. We are driven by the idea that the best work is born from professionalism, diligence… and fun. You know ABL Group, but do you know our team?
Mario Santos | Lead Structural Engineer
Career and Professional Background
Can you briefly tell us about your current role at Proper Marine / Longitude and how long you’ve been with the team?
I’m the Lead Structural Engineer and a recent addition to the team – I’ve been with the company for about four months. My main role is to organize the engineering processes for the Naval and Offshore Structures department, as well as to train and guide the team in simulations, ensuring that our deliverables meet client demands with quality and on schedule.
How did your professional journey in the naval and offshore engineering sector begin?
Although my degree is in Civil Engineering, my first professional steps as a structural engineer were at a shipyard. After that, I worked in shipyards in Spain and the Netherlands, participating in FPSO hull conversion projects and topside (process plant) development.
What motivated you to pursue a career in this field and, specifically, to work with FPSOs?
I was involved in several conceptual projects with CENPES/Petrobras, and since 2005 I’ve been working on basic and detailed engineering for FPSOs. That was during the time of the “Cessão Onerosa” and “Replicant” projects — experiences that added up to more than 30,000 tons of detailed engineering delivered. These projects challenge engineers to think big and apply practical knowledge to real solutions, which continues to motivate me to this day.
Technical Expertise and Projects
Longitude is known for its strong expertise in FPSO engineering. In your view, what differentiates the company’s technical team in this area?
The main differentiator is our ability to work in a truly multidisciplinary way. At Longitude, we integrate different disciplines – naval, structural, and topside – within the same project. This integrated approach is a major strength and makes the company unique in the Brazilian market.
Could you share a project that best represents this technical capability?
Before joining Longitude, my most significant experiences were during the early pre-salt projects, especially the “Cessão Onerosa” and “Replicant” programs. These projects allowed me to take part in technical discussions and review design criteria to suit the Brazilian market’s specific needs – an experience that has strongly shaped the way I see engineering today.
Brazil is one of the global leaders in FPSOs. What are the main engineering challenges in this context?
Without a doubt, the biggest challenge is finding and training skilled and experienced professionals. We have a rapidly growing market, but technical education needs to keep up with this pace – that’s a key factor for the industry’s future.
Integration with Longitude / ABL Group
As Proper Marine integrates into Longitude and ABL Group, what new opportunities does this partnership bring to the projects developed in Brazil?
Working closely with the teams in Houston and London has been very productive. This exchange of experiences allows us to gain external perspectives on our design criteria and helps optimize our processes. It also gives greater visibility to what we produce here and opens doors to new markets.
What is the role of the Brazilian office within Longitude’s global network?
I see the Brazilian office as a collaborative and essential hub within the global network. We have a highly skilled and well-trained team, and this integration with other offices allows us to optimize resources and deliver solutions more consistently and efficiently.
Outlook and Future
What do you believe will be the main demands from the FPSO market for engineering companies in the coming years?
Brazil is entering a very promising phase, especially with the development of the Equatorial Margin reserves, which will practically double the country’s national reserves. This will require ongoing workforce development led by experienced teams. The Brazilian office is naturally positioned for that – it has done it before and will continue to do so, now in even closer collaboration with the global group.
Is there any technological trend you consider transformative for the sector?
In my field, the focus is on using BIM technology. It’s not new, but the way it’s being implemented brings significant challenges. Clients themselves are adapting to this new system, which is cantered on information rather than documents. This cultural shift is both fascinating and challenging.
As Brazil leads the global FPSO market, what unique capabilities does Longitude offer to help operators tackle evolving offshore challenges?
Beyond its multidisciplinary approach, Longitude stands out for its versatility in working on both brownfield and greenfield projects, with experience from construction through installation phases. This ability to provide integrated solutions ensures more efficient construction methods and results delivered on time and with the required quality — combining engineering excellence with innovation and reliability.
And personally, what inspires you most in your work today?
The opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to the development of new professionals. Sharing knowledge and seeing the technical growth of the team is, without a doubt, what motivates me the most.
