Petrobras Eyes REGAP Refinery, Other Investments in Minas Gerais

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Written by Amir Richani for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

The Brazilian company plans to expand current capacity at its REGAP Refinery with a focus on SAF and Diesel R. The company also is aiming to expand sustainable fuel capacity and reduce its emissions.

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REGAP Set to Grow

Petrobras aims to strengthen its operations in Minas Gerais by forecasting potential investments of 9 billion reais (US$1.7 billion) over the next decade, with enhancements focused on the 166,000-barrels-per-day (BBL/d) Gabriel Passos Refinery.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Petroleum Refining Plant and Project databases can learn more about REGAP--including capacities, investment values and necessary equipment--from a plant profile and a detailed list of project reports.

In March, Petrobras began investing 3.8 billion reais (about US$687 million) to boost capacity by 25,000 BBL/d, with operations set to start up in 2027.

At the same time, Petrobras is thinking about expanding REGAP even further, which could add another 59,000 BBL/d to its current output, an increase of 50%.

"We are investing heavily in modernizing the refinery and its capacity to deliver higher volumes of more sustainable fuels," said Magda Chambriard, the president of Petrobras, during a ceremony to announce the investments. "Regap plays a fundamental role in the Minas Gerais economy, generating value and development for the state of Minas Gerais and for the country."

REGAP is key to Petrobras' cleaner fuels. The refinery is expected to begin producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) this year. REGAP already is producing Diesel R, a diesel with renewable content.

Biorefining

REGAP has the second-largest capacity to produce Diesel R5, a fuel made from 5% renewable resources, accounting for 21% of the company's 63,000 BBL/d. Petrobras' 2025-29 plan says the company could increase this by as much as 11 times, if regulations allow.

Petrobras sold its first 3,000 cubic meters (18,000 barrels) of SAF in December to distributors at Tom Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro. The fuel was made at the Duque de Caxias Refinery. Other refineries, such as REGAP, Henrique Lage and Paulinia, may also start producing this type of fuel soon.

Subscribers can read detailed profiles of the Duque de Caxias, Henrique Lage and Paulinia refineries.

Renewable Energy

Among the sustainable projects deployed by Petrobras is the installation of 20,000 solar panels with a capacity of 13.3 megawatts (MW), valued at 63 million reais (US$12 million). With this, the company aims to reduce its dependence on fossil-fuel power generation at the refinery and avoid 8,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

By 2030, Petrobras plans to generate 4.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy, which it estimates will require US$4.3 billion of investment.

Key Takeaways

• Petrobras plans to spend 3.6 billion reais to increase REGAP's production by 25,000 BBL/d.
• Petrobras is also considering a larger project to add 59,000 BBL/d day at REGAP.
• Increasing SAF, Diesel R, and using renewables are key parts of Petrobras' future plans.

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About IIR News Intelligence
IIR News Intelligence is a trusted source of news for the industrial process and energy markets, powered by Industrial Info Resources' Global Market Intelligence (GMI).

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR News Intelligence) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).