Petrobras Runs Higher Refining Rates, Downstream Plans Emerge

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

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Summary

Petrobras refineries are processing more crude and producing more fuels. Building on this momentum, the company expects to continue growing its refining installed capacity through expansions and new projects.

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Improvements Across the Board

Petrobras maintained a refinery utilization rate of 92% between 2023 and 2025, compared with 88% in 2022. At the same time, the company increased its fuel production 3%, with a clear focus on S-10 diesel, in line with its strategic plan.

This improved refining performance is closely linked to increased efficiency, optimizations and investments to modernize downstream infrastructure.

Between 2023 and 2025, average diesel production increased 3.1%, while gasoline production increased 9.3%. In terms of volumes, gasoline production reached 419,000 barrels per day (BBL/d), while diesel S-10 totalled 452,000 BBL/d. In the last two years, Diesel S-10 capacity increased 138,000 BBL/d, a growth of more than 20%.

Petrobras' downstream capacity is at 1.8 million BBL/d, across 10 assets in Brazil. Industrial Info is tracking 150 crude refining projects owned by Petrobras, totaling US$4.54 billion of investment. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Petroleum Refining Project and Plant databases can learn more from a detailed list of project reports and a related list of plant profiles.

Diesel S-10 is an ultra-low sulfur diesel containing a maximum of 10 parts per million of sulfur. Petrobras has boosted production of this fuel through the deployment of expansion projects at the Duque de Caxias (Reduc), Paulinha (Replan), Henrique Lage (Revap) and Abreu e Lima (Rnest) refineries.

Last year, projects implemented at Rnest and Presidente Bernardes (RPBC) refineries boosted processing capacity 42,000 BBL/d and 6,000 BBL/d, respectively.

Among the most ambitious projects for 2026 is the construction of a 130,000 BBL/d-capacity Train II for Rnest, as well as expansions at Replan and Revap that will increase processing by 44,000 BBL/d at both refineries. Subscribers can learn more about Train II at Rnest from a detailed list of project reports.

Between 2025 and 2030, Petrobras expects to add 320,000 BBL/d of processing capacity through revamps, upgrades and new projects, scheduled to be developed and brought online progressively during this period.

"The projects implemented in recent years will consistently increase the capacity and operational flexibility of our refining park," said William França, director of Industrial Processes at Petrobras. "The expansion of our refinery units is a result of efficiency gains, process modernization, and applied engineering, always with a focus on operational safety and reliability."

For this year, Petrobras forecasts investments of US$3.2 billion for its refining, transportation and marketing segment. For 2027, investments are expected to increase to US$4 billion.

Biorefining and Natural Gas

Producing biofuels is another key strategy the company has implemented. Currently, Petrobras has the capacity to produce up to 15,000 BBL/d of renewable diesel. Its refineries are being adapted to coprocess sustainable aviation fuel, allowing them to begin using it starting next year.

Petrobras also has expanded its natural gas supply across its processing facilities to around 21 million cubic meters per day with the start-up of Rota 3 and the treatment units at the Boaventura complex. Subscribers can read detailed profiles of Rota 3 and Boaventura.

Key Takeaways

• Petrobras' utilization factor across refineries reached 92%.
• Gasoline production totaled 419,000 BBL/d, and diesel reached 452,000 BBL/d.
• Petrobras has increased natural gas processing to 21 million m3/d.

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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).