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Governor of Pernambuco, Raquel Lyra, confirms the start of historic work at the Abreu e Lima Refinery after meeting with Petrobras
During a visit to Rio de Janeiro, the governor of Pernambuco, Raquel Lyra, met with Magda Chambriard, president of Petrobras, to discuss strategic investments in state, especially at the Abreu e Lima Refinery (RNEST), located in the Suape Port Complex.
The meeting brought to light the start of works on Train 2 of the refinery, scheduled to begin in the first half of next year, with support from the Government of Pernambuco in logistical and infrastructure issues, such as dredging the port.
"We expect that the works will begin in the first half of next year. We are already close, talking with Petrobras about professional qualification and the role of the State Government, such as the dredging of the internal and external port, which was a commitment of the Government of Pernambuco since the beginning of the works of the first train of the Abreu e Lima Refinery.”, highlighted Raquel Lyra.
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Since the beginning of the operations of the RNEST, in 2014, the complex began to play a strategic role in national refining, with an emphasis on diesel production.
The refinery, which currently processes 100 barrels of oil per day, is prepared to expand this capacity with Train 1, which will operate with 130 barrels per day.
This modernization is expected by the end of 2024, with a direct impact on the Brazilian market, increasing the supply of S10 diesel, an essential fuel for national logistics.
The Importance of the Expansion Project
RNEST's expansion plan is part of Petrobras' new Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) and Strategic Plan 2024-28, with expected investments of around US$ 17 billion to expand national refining capacity.
The construction of Train 2 is one of the central points of this planning, and, when completed, it will increase the refinery's capacity to 260 barrels per day, more than double its current capacity. This represents a significant increase in the production of diesel and other derivatives, reducing the need for imports and increasing the supply of low-sulfur fuel.
With this expansion, it is estimated that Abreu e Lima's diesel production will increase its share from 6% to 10% of national production, a leap that will bring direct economic benefits to Pernambuco and the country.
Furthermore, around 10 direct and indirect jobs will be created during the construction period, strengthening the regional economy and contributing to local development.
Pernambuco as a Refining Hub in the Northeast
RNEST's strategic location in Suape allows easy access to consumer markets by cabotage, making the refinery one of the main fuel distribution centers for the North and Northeast.
According to Jean Paul Prates, president of Petrobras, the implementation of Train 2 will enable increased production of derivatives such as gasoline, LPG, naphtha and especially diesel S10, a fuel that has a low sulfur content and is less polluting. The initiative reduces the need for imports, providing greater energy security and savings for Brazil.
Another relevant aspect is RNEST's cutting-edge technology. The refinery has the highest level of automation and one of the highest crude oil-to-diesel conversion rates in the country, reaching 70% efficiency in this process. This high rate is essential to meet the growing market demand for fuels, especially diesel, which drives the circulation of goods throughout the country.
Sustainable advances and environmental benefits
RNEST was designed with sustainability in mind. The refinery uses technologies that respect the environment and prioritize operational safety. With a modern structure and high level of automation, the unit is a benchmark in energy efficiency, with low maintenance costs and consumption of natural resources.
This environmental responsibility is essential to ensure that the expansion takes place in a sustainable manner and that the new processes meet environmental regulations and international standards.
In addition to technological innovation, RNEST has optimized processes for water use and promotes the reuse of resources, which reduces the environmental impact of operations. The expansion, in addition to increasing production, will bring even more advances in this regard, consolidating the refinery as one of the most modern and sustainable in Brazil.
Employment and professional qualification
Governor Raquel Lyra highlighted the importance of professional qualifications for the people of Pernambuco to ensure that the jobs generated by the expansion of RNEST benefit the local population. The government is in talks with Petrobras to implement training and qualification programs that will enable workers to meet market demands.
These initiatives are essential to ensure that the jobs created by the project have a lasting impact and contribute to the development of the region.
Looking to the future, the expansion of RNEST represents a solid partnership between the Government of Pernambuco and Petrobras. The expansion of the refinery will strengthen the national energy sector, reduce dependence on imports and promote local economic growth.
For Pernambuco, this is an opportunity to consolidate itself as a hub of innovation and development, with concrete benefits for the population.
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