The second module of the natural gas processing plant (UPGN) in the greater Rio de Janeiro area, which is operated by the Brazilian energy giant Petrobras $PETR3 (+0.5%)
$PETR4 (-1.41%) has commenced commercial operation.
Petrobras has been operating the UPGN, which is part of the Boaventura Energy Complex (BEC) in Itaboraí, in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan region, commercially since November 2024.
On September 11, 2024, Petrobras announced that procedures had been initiated for the commissioning of what it claims to be Brazil's largest natural gas processing plant. The National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) had granted approval for the industrial operation of the plant two days earlier.
The plant is part of the Route 3 Integrated Project (PIR3), which will enable the flow of up to 18 million cubic meters (cbm)/day and the processing of up to 21 million cbm/day of natural gas from pre-salt fields in the Santos Basin via the Route 3 gas pipeline through UPGN. The aim is to expand the supply of natural gas to the domestic market and reduce dependence on imports.
The project is part of the integrated gas flow system of the Santos Basin, which receives gas from fields such as Tupi, Búzios and Sapinhoá, among others. Regardless of the connection point, the gas from the production fields can be transported to different processing units, which means that the natural gas produced at UPGN is part of the company's overall supply.
The PIR3 project is described as strategic for Petrobras, as it is expected to increase the supply of natural gas to the Brazilian market and generate profits for the company. The gas, described as abundant, produces three products for the market after processing: natural gas (NG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or cooking gas) and C5+ (a raw material for the petrochemical industry and fuel production).
In addition to the natural gas pipeline and the UPGN, the Brazilian company says it is working on two gas-fired thermoelectric plants for the auctions planned by the electricity sector, as well as other refinery plants for the production of fuels and lubricants.
Petrobras announced the start of commercial operation of the first module of the UPGN, with a processing capacity of 10.5 million cubic meters of natural gas per day, on November 11, 2024. At the time of the announcement, it was assumed that the second module would go into operation by the end of the year.
Yesterday, the energy company announced that the second module of the UPGN has commenced commercial operation. Together with the first module, the total processing capacity of the plant is now 21 million cubic meters per day.