Petrobras will make investments to produce diesel with less sulfur and renewable at the Alberto Pasqualini Refinery (REFAP): President of the state-owned company says that refining unit in RS will no longer be for sale!

Jean Paul Prates gives up the sale of Refap and promises new investments in the refining industry of Rio Grande do Sul

Jean Paul Prates, the president of Petrobras, recently declared that the sale of the Alberto Pasqualini Refinery (Refap), located in Rio Grande do Sul, will no longer take place. Refap was previously included in the oil company's divestment plan, in accordance with a pact established with the Administrative Council for Economic Defense.

End of Divestment and Future Projects

During a ceremony honoring the 55 years of Refap, the announcement was made by Prates, assuring that the refinery would no longer be sold. “The idea of ​​divestment has become irrelevant,” said Prates, putting an end to the company's old divestment policy.

During his visit to Rio Grande do Sul, Prates also met with local businessmen at the headquarters of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Fiergs), located in Porto Alegre. At that meeting, Prates assured that Refap will benefit from future investments by Petrobras for the production of cleaner diesel and renewable diesel.

Prates also spoke about future plans for the local industry, with a special focus on the naval sector, a segment that has a strong presence in the state, particularly in the city of Rio Grande. “We are committed to leading a new era for the naval industry, bringing significant services and work to be carried out in Brazil”, emphasized Prates to the businessmen.

Improving Environmental Practices at Refap

On the same weekend, Petrobras inaugurated the gas treatment system at the refinery's catalytic cracking unit. The new equipment, known as an electrostatic precipitator, is capable of capturing particles present in the gas through the application of a strong electric field, providing important environmental gains.

The implementation of this equipment required an investment of BRL 88 million, but the impact will be a significant reduction in the concentration of particles in the gases emitted. Gerson Cesar Souza, Refap's general manager, explained that the new equipment will further improve the company's ability to maintain atmospheric emissions standards.

Tests of Petrobras' Biorefining Technology at the Riograndense Refinery

Petrobras also disclosed that the Refinaria de Petróleo Riograndense (RPR), located in the city of Rio Grande, will be the site for industrial tests of a Petrobras technology aimed at the production of petrochemical products and 100% renewable fuels. The first industrial test is scheduled for November this year and will last up to five days. The second test is scheduled for June 2024.

If the tests are successful, the technology licensing agreement is already agreed. The value of the investment that Petrobras will make in RPR is around R$ 45 million. This novelty, developed by Petrobras' Research and Development Center (Cenpes), promises to transform the refining industry, introducing innovative processes and systems that will result in completely renewable inputs.

Refinaria de Petróleo Riograndense, which began operations in 1937, is currently controlled by Petrobras, Braskem and Ultrapar.