Fernando C. Hernandez

Fernando C. Hernandez, SPE, began his career in 2002 as a mechanic at Plug Power, specializing in cryogenic systems for hydrogen, CO₂, and liquefied natural gas. He is global chairman of the Society for Low Carbon Technologies, attracting participation from NVIDIA, Equinor, Siemens Digital, and Microsoft. He is a business ambassador to Scotland, appointed by Scotland's longest-serving first minister, and an XPRIZE Recognized Innovator through the Elon Musk Foundation Carbon Removal program. He has advised on integrating direct air capture with nuclear systems through the US Department of Energy to generate clean fuels.

Hernandez helped shape South America's first carbon capture and storage (CCS) legal framework, approved by Brazil's president, and previously served as CCS Brasil’s international chairman. He is a multi-award-winning technologist with the UK's Net Zero Technology Centre, backed by ADNOC, BP, and Equinor, where he advances low-carbon technologies. His global expertise has led to engagements with presidents, ministers, and speaking engagements across continents.

Data & Analytics

The Rise of Geology as the Subsurface Intelligence Layer Behind AI, Energy, and Carbon Management

The AI revolution isn't just digital. This article examines how geology underpins the convergence of AI, energy, carbon management, and the infrastructure powering frontier LLMs.

July 27, 2026 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology
Carbon capture and storage

From Law to Operations: Brazil’s Carbon Capture Framework Advances Toward 2026 Deployment

As COP30 wrapped up in Brazil, the country finds itself at an inflection point, positioned to deliver South America’s first carbon-dioxide injection by mid-2026.

December 16, 2025 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology
Carbon capture and storage

Brazil Enters New Era for Carbon Capture and Decarbonization Ahead of COP30

COP30 in Brazil represents a historic first, with the country being the first COP host to have a national CCUS law, an operating direct air capture plant, a project nearing CO₂ injection for pure geological storage, and more.

October 7, 2025 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology
Carbon capture and storage

Proposal Presents New Funding Engine for Brazil’s Carbon Capture Deployment

The author writes that Brazil can benefit by mirroring what proved decisive for CCS deployment in the US through a sovereign fiscal regime anchored by monetizing verified storage.

August 11, 2025 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology
Carbon capture and storage

Scaling Storage in Brazil: From Ethanol Injection to Offshore Readiness With a National CCS Law

With Brazil enacting South America’s first carbon capture and storage (CCS) law, this article examines the technical and regulatory architecture required to scale CCS deployment and provides exclusive insight into Brazil’s accelerating CCS landscape.

August 4, 2025 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology
Carbon capture and storage

Brazil Moves Toward Becoming the First South American Nation To Pass CCS Legislation

With the advancement of a legal framework for carbon capture and storage, Brazil is building CCS momentum. This article aims to shed light on what led to this momentum and what may come next.

December 21, 2023 • Fernando C. Hernandez • HSE Now
Risk management

Turkey and Russia's Impact on the Black Sea Becoming an Emerging Natural Gas Region

The Black Sea is where Turkey shares maritime borders not only with Russia and Ukraine, but also with EU nations such as Romania. Its significance is evolving, both regionally and globally.

June 23, 2023 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology
Energy transition

The Energy Basket: A 21st Century Solution to the Energy Transition’s Rhetoric and Its Consequences

The Russian/Ukrainian conflict has shown that a division between energy-transition rhetoric and reality can lead to profound global consequences by creating an imbalance in nations’ access to diverse flows of energy. The Energy Basket composition is determined by the demands and fluidity of the grid, as opposed to high-minded rhetoric.

August 29, 2022 • Fernando C. Hernandez • HSE Now
Business/economics

South America and the Caribbean: The Forming of Strategic Energy Alliances That Can Impact This Decade and the Next

Nations coming together with common interests and approaches to energy is a hallmark of the modern times. Nations in South America and the Caribbean are also joining the trend via strategic energy alliances as disclosed by the presidents of Guyana and Suriname at a recent conference in Suriname, Paramaribo.

July 13, 2022 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology
Energy transition

Russia/Ukraine War Puts the Energy Transition in Danger

As the world tries to shift to renewable energy, the war in Ukraine has underscored the struggle for the minerals and metals required. The conflict illustrates that nations that pursue net-zero strategies will have to contend and account for “greenwalls,” energy-transition deterrents created by crises or geopolitical events.

July 5, 2022 • Fernando C. Hernandez • HSE Now

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