Petrobras, Brazil’s state-owned oil giant, has received authorization from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biocombustibles (ANP) to operate its largest natural gas processing unit (UPGN) in Itaboraí, near Rio de Janeiro. This milestone approval on September 9, 2024, signals a significant advancement in Brazil’s energy sector. The UPGN, part of the Integrated Route Project (PIR3), will play a crucial role in processing gas from the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin via the Route 3 pipeline, significantly boosting Brazil’s domestic gas supply.
With the capacity to process up to 21 million cubic meters of gas daily, the UPGN is set to commence commercial operations in early October 2024 after final preparations and calibration. The complex, now named the Boaventura Energy Complex, aims to generate over 600 jobs and features plans for additional refining units and thermoelectric plants, aligning with Petrobras’ strategy to enhance the country’s gas supply. The inauguration, expected to be graced by Brazil’s President Lula da Silva and Petrobras President Magda Chambriard, symbolizes the project’s national significance.