Petrobras signs $892 MM in contracts to complete RNEST Train 2 refinery expansion
Brazilian state-run oil firm Petrobras announced on Monday it signed contracts worth approximately 4.9 billion reais ($892.3 MM) for the completion of a new refining unit at its RNEST refinery.
The agreements, signed with engineering firm Consag, include the construction of associated infrastructure, such as a diesel hydrotreatment unit, Petrobras said in a statement.
This initiative is part of Petrobras' strategy to build "Train 2" at RNEST, a new refining unit projected to double the refinery's current installed capacity.
The new facilities are expected to become operational in 2029, according to Petrobras.
With an approximate value of R$ 4.9 billion, the agreements include the implementation of the Delayed Coking Unit (UCR), the Diesel Hydrotreating Unit S10 (UHDT-D), and the Atmospheric Distillation Unit (UDA), in line with the guidelines of the 2025-2029 Business Plan. The contracts were signed with the company Consag Engenharia SA.
According to Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard, “RNEST is strategic for Brazil, as it is Petrobras’ hub in the North and Northeast regions. The contracts to resume construction on the refinery’s Train 2 demonstrate the company’s commitment to the country’s development, representing the expansion of our refining capacity and enabling the increase in the production of derivatives to meet the demands of society and the market.”
The UCR will have the potential to process up to 75,000 barrels/day of cargo, while the UHDT-D will be able to operate with up to 82,000 barrels/day. The UDA will have a capacity of 130,000 barrels/day. The volumes reinforce the relevance of RNEST in expanding the production of higher value-added derivatives in Petrobras’ refining park, promoting productivity gains and contributing to the supply of low-sulfur fuels.
Investments to double processing capacity. RNEST began operations in 2014 with its first set of units (Train 1). It is Petrobras' most modern refinery and contributes to meeting the national demand for petroleum derivatives. The unit features advanced technologies and has the highest level of automation in the company's refining park.
In March of this year, the modernization works on Train 1 were completed. Previously, in December 2024, RNEST began operating the SNOX unit, the first of its kind in Brazilian refining, responsible for reducing sulfur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and for producing sulfuric acid, a new product sold by the refinery, which, in addition to being profitable, contributed to environmental preservation.
In total, the works on RNEST Train 2 have the potential to generate approximately 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. The units are expected to start operating in 2029, allowing the refinery's installed capacity to double, from the current 130,000 barrels/day to 260,000 barrels/day, making it Petrobras' second largest refinery in terms of oil processing capacity.
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