The Brazilian energy company Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. $PETR3 (-0.41%)
$PETR4 (-0.34%) has commissioned a system for reducing atmospheric emissions (SNOX) at the Abreu e Lima refinery (RNEST) in the city of Ipojuca in the state of Pernambuco.
Petrobras stated in a press release that the new plant will allow the refinery to increase its current processing by 27,000 barrels per day (bpd) in accordance with the emission limits set by the local environmental authority.
According to Petrobras, SNOX is the first refinery emissions reduction plant in Brazil and the Americas. SNOX can convert sulphur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) into sulphuric acid. Petrobras is thus adding a new product to the company's portfolio. According to the company, the acid produced is an important raw material for the treatment and production of drinking water, among other things.
While SOx emissions are reduced, the plant generates steam energy that is used in refinery operations, leading to a reduction in gas consumption for energy generation and improving the overall energy efficiency of RNEST, according to Petrobras.
Petrobras added that preparations are underway to begin expansion work on Train 1. This will increase the refinery's capacity by 15,000 bpd, improve the flow of light products and increase the processing capacity for pre-salt oil. The expansion is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.
Petrobras also announced that it will begin the procurement process for work on Train 2, which is expected to increase RNEST's capacity by a total of 130,000 bpd.
Of all Brazilian refineries, RNEST has the highest conversion rate of crude oil to diesel at 70 percent. Once the RNEST projects (SNOX, Revamp Train 1 and Train 2) are completed, the plant will be able to process 260,000 barrels of oil per day, which will lead to an increase in national S-10 diesel production of around 13 million liters per day, according to Petrobras.