Petrobras’ Refining plants achieved 97% utilization in September for the second consecutive month. As a result, the Total Utilization Factor (TUF) for the refineries in the third quarter of 2023 reached 95.8%, the best result since 2014.
The Total Utilization Factor takes account of the volume of oil inputs processed and the standard refining capacity of the refineries, i.e., their operational capacity within the design limits of the equipment, the safety requirements and the quality of the derivatives produced.
Jean Paul Prates, the president of Petrobras, believes that the company has a good record of overcoming challenges: “It is nothing new for Petrobras to show its excellent ability to develop technology that optimizes its refining processes. The significant contribution we make to the national production of derivatives demonstrates how much, in fact, Brazil is our energy”.
The largest refinery in the country sets a record
The refining unit with the largest processing capacity in Petrobras, the Paulínia Refinery (Replan), in the state of São Paulo, processed an average of 427 thousand barrels per day (TUF of 98.4%) in September, a total of 12.8 million barrels of refined oil, the highest figure since February 2015.
The Operational Performance and Production justifies Petrobras’s strategy on refining
The significant production levels of derivatives in the third quarter of this year were achieved due to the excellent reliability and operational availability of the company’s refining plants, together with efficient logistics and market service operations, supported by robust new technology and digitalization of processes
Production of S-10 diesel (with lower sulfur content) was at record levels in the third quarter. 464 million barrels/day (mbpd) were produced, compared to 419 mbpd produced in the second quarter of 2023. 749 mbpd were produced, if you take all types of diesel into account, the highest quarterly production since the third quarter of 2015.
Gasoline production, meanwhile, was 423 mbpd for the quarter, the best result since the fourth quarter of 2013. Another highlight was the production of 741 thousand tons of Petroleum Asphalt Cement (CAP), a raw material for road laying. This was the most of this derivative produced since the fourth quarter of 2014.
Safe, Profitable, Integrated Production
The results of the better utilization of refineries and better production demonstrate Petrobras’ commitment to the efficiency and profitability of its operations, while maintaining the company’s values on safety, the environment and health.
According to William França, the director of Industrial Processes and Products at Petrobras, the teams and individuals responsible for each area, have worked hard to ensure they operate safely in every operational and administrative business unit. “These results have only been achieved thanks to the combined efforts of everyone at Petrobras, especially the Refining, Logistics and Marketing teams. Petrobras is, once again, helping to ensure that there is an adequate supply of derivatives to the market in Brazil to support the country’s growth.”
