Eni, Petrobras sign MOU for biofuel production

March 27, 2007
Italy's Eni SPA and Brazil's Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) plan to assess developing a partnership to produce biofuels in Brazil and worldwide.

Uchenna Izundu
International Editor

LONDON, Mar. 27 -- Italy's Eni SPA and Brazil's Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) plan to assess developing a partnership to produce biofuels in Brazil and worldwide.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed Mar. 27, the companies will combine their proprietary technologies to jointly produce biofuels in other countries and may work together in commercializing biofuels in the international market.

Petrobras is experienced in large-scale production of bioethanol in Brazil. Eni plans to construct at its Livorno refinery a 250,000 tonne/year plant that would produce high-quality biodiesel. Eni also is looking to develop biofuel projects in other countries.

Eni said, the two companies will study joint projects to assess together the application of the Eni Slurry Technology in Brazil in the framework of a broader partnership involving both upstream and downstream joint initiatives. EST will allow deep conversion of residues and heavy oils—typical of those produced in Brazil—into diesel and gasoline.

Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].