Petrobras is set to embark on a significant scheduled maintenance shutdown at its Alberto Pasqualini Refinery (Refap) in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul. Commenced on Sunday, May 18, the extensive project represents an investment of approximately R$557 million. The scheduled services are anticipated to conclude by early August, mobilizing a substantial workforce and injecting considerable economic activity into the region.

At its peak, the maintenance shutdown will engage an estimated 2,900 workers, providing a substantial boost to local employment. Recognizing the challenge of securing qualified labor, Petrobras has actively collaborated with local institutions such as the Canoas Opportunities Bank and the National Employment System (Sine) of Canoas and Esteio.

Marcus Aurelius Valenti, Refap’s general manager, highlighted the critical nature of the undertaking. "The main scope of the work consists of opening the equipment, internal inspections, integrity assessment and repairs, ensuring another operational campaign of at least six years for the units involved," Valenti explained. This proactive approach to maintenance is crucial for extending the operational lifespan of the refinery's units, ensuring their continued reliable performance for years to come.

Despite the temporary reduction in production capacity during the shutdown, Petrobras assures the market that supply will remain unaffected. "Refap and Petrobras are making detailed plans to ensure that prior stocks are maintained," Valenti affirmed. He further elaborated on the company’s integrated strategy, stating, "During the period in which part of the production will be reduced, the company will work in an integrated manner with the commercial and logistics areas, internalizing derivatives from other regions, enabling us to serve our customers." This meticulous planning aims to prevent any disruptions to the supply chain, ensuring that consumers in the refinery's service areas continue to receive essential fuel products.

Refap is a vital cog in Brazil's energy infrastructure, boasting a processing capacity of 32,000 cubic meters of oil per day. Its diverse product portfolio includes essential derivatives such as diesel, gasoline, LPG, petrochemical naphtha, fuel oil, jet fuel, asphalt, coke, sulfur, and propylene. The refinery plays a crucial role in serving nearly the entire market in Rio Grande do Sul, a significant portion of Santa Catarina and Paraná, and other states through cabotage. The R$557 million investment in this maintenance shutdown not only secures Refap's future operational stability but also demonstrates Petrobras's ongoing commitment to responsible and sustainable energy production in Brazil.