Petrobras signed five service contracts on Friday, October 3, for the construction of units under the Refino Boaventura Project, marking a step in the modernization of its refining operations.
The contracts amount to R$9.6 billion (about US$1.73 billion) and include two new refining units: a Hydroisomerization Dewaxing (HIDW) unit for Group II lubricants, and a Catalytic Hydrocracking (HCC) unit for S-10 diesel and aviation kerosene (QAV).
The project will integrate the Duque de Caxias Refinery (Reduc) with the Boaventura Energy Complex in Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro, increasing the production of higher-value and low-sulfur products, such as S-10 diesel and Group II lubricants.
The expansion is expected to add 76,000 barrels per day of S-10 diesel, 20,000 barrels per day of aviation kerosene, and 12,000 barrels per day of Group II lubricants.
Petrobras projects around 15,000 direct jobs at the peak of construction.
The company also signed charter contracts for four ROV Support Vessels (RSVs) to strengthen subsea operations, with a total value of R$10.2 billion (about US$1.84 billion).
The tender process began in October 2024, and the vessels will be built at the Navship shipyard in Navegantes, Santa Catarina, with delivery scheduled between 2029 and 2030.
Each vessel will include at least 40% local content during construction and 60% during operation.
BRAM, the contracted company, expects to achieve up to 80% local content in construction and up to 90% in operation.
The contracts are expected to create more than 1,500 direct and 5,400 indirect jobs across construction and operational phases.
The RSVs will support inspection, maintenance, and installation of subsea systems using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
They will feature hybrid propulsion systems and the capacity to operate with ethanol, which Petrobras states will reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions by more than 30%.
Petrobras (Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.) is a publicly traded company controlled by the Brazilian federal government. It operates in exploration, production, refining, and distribution of oil, natural gas, and energy. Petrobras is listed on the São Paulo (B3), New York (NYSE), and Madrid (Latibex) stock exchanges.
BRAM Offshore Transportes Marítimos Ltda. (BRAM Offshore) is a Brazilian maritime logistics company that provides offshore vessel charter and support services, mainly to the oil and gas industry.
