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A Million-Dollar Investment Mobilizes Thousands of Workers in Canoas to Ensure the Maintenance of One of the Main Refineries in the Country, Reinforcing Safety, Energy Efficiency, and Supply in Southern Brazil During Intense Months of Work.
Petrobras will begin a scheduled maintenance shutdown at the Alberto Pasqualini Refinery (Refap), located in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, next Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Approximately R$ 557 million will be invested to ensure the integrity of the equipment, enhance operational safety, and improve the productive efficiency of the unit.
During the period, expected to last until early August, around 2,900 workers will be mobilized at the peak of the activities, reinforcing the generation of local jobs.
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Investment and Qualification of Local Labor
According to Marcus Aurelius Valenti, general manager of Refap, Petrobras recognizes the challenge of the availability of qualified labor in the region and has intensified actions for training local professionals.
For this shutdown, the refinery sought to increase the hiring of workers from the city and nearby municipalities, in partnership with the Opportunities Bank and the National Employment System (Sine) of Canoas and Esteio.
This initiative aims not only to ensure the necessary services but also to strengthen the local economy by generating jobs and income.
Technical Services and Planned Improvements
The planned activities include technical inspections, preventive and corrective maintenance in four strategic units of the refinery: atmospheric distillation (U-01), vacuum distillation (U-02), catalytic cracking (U-03), and coking unit (U-650).
In total, 3,679 essential pieces of equipment for the production process will be inspected and repaired.
Among the expected gains, the increase in energy efficiency in the distillation units and the expansion of the processing capacity of the coking unit, which will increase from 2,700 to 3,000 cubic meters per day, stand out.
Additionally, the catalytic cracking unit will receive important technological updates, reinforcing operational reliability and improving safety standards in the process.
Valenti emphasizes that the shutdown will ensure a new operational campaign lasting a minimum of six years for the involved units, thanks to the rigorous assessment of the integrity of the equipment and the execution of necessary repairs.
Supply Guarantee During the Shutdown
Despite the complexity and magnitude of the maintenance, Petrobras assures that supply contracts to the market will not be affected.
The company has meticulously planned prior stock and will coordinate production and logistics to avoid any impact on the supply of derivatives during the period.
This strategy includes sourcing derivatives from other regions to maintain service to Refap’s customers.
Refinery Profile and Its Market
With a capacity to process 32,000 cubic meters of oil per day, the Alberto Pasqualini Refinery is responsible for a significant portion of the supply in Rio Grande do Sul, as well as serving Santa Catarina, Paraná, and other regions through cabotage.
Its main products include diesel, gasoline, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), petrochemical naphtha, fuel oil, aviation kerosene, asphalt, coke, sulfur, and propylene.
Refap is one of Petrobras’ main refineries in the South of the country and plays a strategic role in regional supply.
Investments like the one announced reinforce the state-owned company’s commitment to keeping its facilities updated, safe, and competitive, ensuring the continuity of quality fuel and derivative supply for the local population and industry.
Importance of Preventive Maintenance for the Sector
This type of maintenance shutdown is essential to prevent unexpected breakdowns and accidents, as well as to optimize equipment performance.
In the current scenario, where safety and sustainability are priorities, Brazilian refineries have increasingly adopted advanced technologies and rigorous management practices to extend the lifespan of the units.
Economic Impact and Prospects
In addition to the direct economic impact generated by the temporary hiring of nearly 3,000 workers, the Refap shutdown also stimulates the local production chain, involving specialized service providers, transportation, and supplies, contributing to the economy of Rio Grande do Sul.
At a time of high demand for fuels and pressure for efficiency in the energy sector, preventive maintenance actions and structural investments are essential to ensure Petrobras remains competitive in the national and international markets.
Do you think initiatives like this from Petrobras can positively influence job generation and economic development in the regions where refineries are located? Share your thoughts in the comments!
atualmente está muito parado esses investimentos trabalhei na montagem na área de equipamentos para o processo do coque na Abreu e Lima RNEST,todos que trabalharam lá ficaram desempregados,e as grandes empresas que atuaram na RNEST ,A LAVA JATO QUEBROU ELAS,AREA DE PETROBRAS NAO SURGIU NOVOS PROJETOS,PORTANTO E DIFICIL HJ CONSEGUIR UMA VAGA PARA PARADA NAS REFINARIAS