BELIZE CITY, BELIZE (Aaron Simonsky, Energy Analytics Institute, 27.Mar.2025) — Petrobras completed modernization work on Train 1 of the Abreu e Lima Refinery (RNEST), located in the city of Ipojuca, in the state of Pernambuco.
The renovation and expansion process (Revamp) received investments of R$93mn and will expand the unit’s processing capacity from 115,000 barrels per day (b/d) to 130,000 b/d, Petrobras announced on 27 Mar. 2025 in an official statement.
The milestone represents the completion of the production capacity expansions planned for the current refining Train in operation, seeking better flow of light products and greater processing capacity for pre-salt oil, Petrobras said.
Among all Brazilian refineries, RNEST has the highest rate of conversion of crude oil into diesel (70%). With the completion of RNEST’s scope (SNOX, Revamp Train 1 and Train 2), the refinery will have the capacity to process 260,000 b/d, with an increase in national production of S-10 diesel of around 13 million liters per day.
In Dec. 2024, RNEST started up the SNOX unit, the first of its kind in Brazilian refining, responsible for reducing sulphur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, producing sulphuric acid, a new product marketed by the refinery, which contributes to preserving the environment. The acid produced, among other uses, is an important input for the treatment and generation of drinking water, Petrobras said.
The contracting process is underway for the completion of works on Train 2, which will add 130,000 b/d of capacity to RNEST.
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By Aaron Simonsky reporting from Belize City. © 2025 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
