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Petrobras starts operational tests at Gaslub, an important stage for the UPGN to start operating later this year, representing the resumption and sanitation of the former Comperj, which caused billions of losses for Brazilian society
Good news for Rio de Janeiro, Petrobras informed yesterday (31/01) in a material fact, that the Polo GasLub, in Itaboraí, started to receive natural gas from the pre-salt layer. This moment represents an important step for the Natural Gas Processing Unit (UPGN) to start operating later this year.
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The start of operational tests at the GasLub Hub, in Itaboraí, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, was attended by the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, and the President of Petrobras, Joaquim Silva and Luna, accompanied by the Governor of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudio Castro, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Bento Albuquerque, and the Mayor of Itaboraí, Marcelo Delaroli, among other authorities.
Petrobras starts tests at GasLub, whose works began in 2006 and were paralyzed amid corruption allegations
According to the statement from Petrobras, the unit will start receiving natural gas from the pre-salt layer later this year, an important step for the Natural Gas Processing Unit (UPGN) to start operating. It is a symbolic milestone, as it represents the resumption and sanitation of the former Comperj, whose works and promises began in 2006 and represented a loss of R$ 28,3 billion for Brazilian society.
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After the works were paralyzed amid allegations of corruption, Petrobras' tests began yesterday morning (31/1) for the start of the first operation supported by honest and responsible investments. With the start of the tests, the GasLub Hub began to receive unprocessed natural gas (rich gas) from the Cabiúnas Terminal.
It is worth mentioning that, when the UPGN is in operation, in addition to gas from the Santos Basin pre-salt, it will also receive gas from the other assets that use the Integrated Flow System (SIE), via the Route 3 Integrated Project (PIR3).
“More than a set of installations and processing units, we are dealing with a multipurpose project of great strategic value for Brazil, which will contribute to greater national energy security,” said Petrobras president Joaquim Silva e Luna. “The natural gas that arrives in Itaboraí makes us envision a promising scenario for attracting petrochemicals, steel mills, fertilizer plants, glass and ceramics factories, among several other industries, which will form the dreamed GasLub Industrial Complex”.
UPGN will have the capacity to drain and process 21 million cubic meters per day of natural gas from the Santos Basin pre-salt complex
For those who don't know, natural gas enters the GasLub Hub through the Guapimirim-Comperj I gas pipeline (Gaserj) and makes it possible for the utility systems to start operations, mainly the Steam Generation and Distribution Unit. These systems will guarantee the supply of the necessary facilities and equipment for the UPGN to start operating, scheduled for 2022. In addition to the units that are entering the testing phase, the water treatment plant and the substations responsible for energy distribution are already in operation. electricity for the enterprise, the Integrated Control Center (CIC), the auxiliary utility systems and the 'flare' (equipment that burns residual gases).
The UPGN is part of the scope of the Rota 3 Project, which also involves the gas pipeline (composed of submarine and land sections) and the infrastructure for operation and control and utility systems (steam, water, compressed air, power and others). The project will have the capacity to drain and process 21 million cubic meters per day of natural gas from the Santos Basin pre-salt complex. Together, Route 3 and Routes 1 (UPGN Caraguatatuba/SP) and 2 (Terminal Cabiúnas/RJ) – the last two already in operation – will provide a total capacity to transport 44 million cubic meters of gas per day.
Rio de Janeiro is responsible for 63% of the country's natural gas production, and the partnership with Petrobras at GasLub will allow the implementation of an attractive industrial center in Itaboraí
For Minister Bento Albuquerque, the Polo GasLub Itaboraí “will bring greater energy security to Brazil, as it will increase the capacity to transport gas from the Brazilian pre-salt layer, enabling future reductions in our external dependence on liquefied natural gas”.
The governor of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudio Castro, highlighted the importance of GasLub for the state. “Generating energy is our natural vocation. Rio de Janeiro is responsible for 63% of the country's natural gas production, and the partnership with Petrobras at GasLub will allow the implementation of an attractive industrial center in Itaboraí, encouraging the development of a productive chain of materials and equipment in the sector. We continue working to consolidate the state as the main energy 'hub' in Brazil and guarantee a more sustainable economy, generating jobs and income for the population of Rio de Janeiro”.
According to the Petrobras Strategic Plan 2022-2026, the integration of the assets of Polo GasLub Itaboraí, with the Duque de Caxias refinery (Reduce), for the production of basic lubricating oils and fuels, with an expected investment of US$ 1,5 billion. The construction of a thermoelectric power plant at Polo GasLub is also under study.
