Petrobras starts up new production unit at REPLAN refinery

Petróleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) has commissioned a new diesel hydrotreater at the operator’s 434,000-b/d Refinaria de Paulínia (REPLAN) refinery—Brazil’s largest—in Paulínia, São Paulo.

Entered into operation on May 27, the new diesel hydrotreating unit is equipped to produce 63,000 b/d of low-sulfur S-10 (10 ppm sulfur) diesel, preparing the refinery for the complete phase out of S-500 diesel (500 ppm sulfur), the operator said in separate releases on May 28.

Alongside helping to improve the refinery’s energy efficiency and reducing emissions from both the site and fleet engines using the new production, the diesel hydrotreater also will be able to produce up to 21,000 b/d of jet fuel to help meet more stringent specifications and rising demand for economically and sustainably produced aviation fuels, Petrobras said.

Completed and started up 3 months ahead of schedule and within its originally approved budget, Petrobras previously confirmed the REPLAN diesel hydrotreating project also was to include an associated 150,000-cu m/d hydrogen recovery unit (OGJ Online, Oct. 10, 2024).

Part of the operator’s 2024-28+ strategic plan to modernize refining assets for long-term competitiveness and sustainability in a global market transitioning to a low-carbon future, REPLAN’s new diesel hydrotreater is one of several projects in Petrobras’ program aimed at improving operational safety, improving energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouses gases at its manufacturing sites.

During the next 5 years, Petrobras said it plans to invest around $15.2 billion to expand overall refining capacity and position its refineries among the world’s best in terms of efficiency and operational performance.