Petrobras’s refineries registered fewer greenhouse gas emissions in 2023

Petrobras’s refining park achieved significant results in terms of energy efficiency last year compared to the same period in 2022. The intensity of the refining emissions dropped from 37.9 to 36.8 kg CO2 per equivalent load in 2023. Therefore, the burning of 490 thousand m³/day of natural gas and the emission of 535 thousand tons of CO2 was prevented. It is the equivalent of removing from circulation a fleet of over 6 thousand urban buses running on diesel or over 88 thousand cars running on gas. 

Furthermore, the freshwater collection dropped from 106.3 billion liters in 2002 to 103.4 billion liters in 2023. This prevented the consumption of 2.9 billion liters, an economy equivalent to the annual consumption of roughly ten thousand families.

More efficient production processes

Many initiatives enabled gains in energy efficiency. Among them, we should mention a decrease in steam and condensate losses in all refineries, a reduction in the systemic transfer of gases to the torch systems, and an improvement in the energy matrix by burning less oil and LPG at the refineries, prioritizing the use of less carbon-intense energy sources.  

The data were generated based on expressive investments in efficient operations, backed by robust technology and process digitalization solutions, which allow us to produce with profitability and safety.  

According to Petrobras’s Industrial Process and Product Director, William França, “the energy transition demands investments in efficiency. Petrobras is increasingly contributing to the decarbonization process, without disregarding the investments in byproducts to make Brazil grow.”  

More investments in all the refining park

In November 2023, Petrobras communicated its Strategic Plan for the 2024-28 period. One of the highlights of the new plan is expanding the Reftop Program across its refining park. Through this program, Petrobras is meeting its efficiency and reliability targets. It has already saved roughly USD 589 million between 2021 and 2023 due to actions implemented in the Southeast refineries. With the Reftop, Petrobras aims to place its industrial park among the best in the world in terms of operational and energy efficiency by 2030.