Petrobras reports Abreu e Lima Refinery breaking bunker fuel production record in 2024

Brazilian state-controlled oil and gas producer Petrobras recently announced that its Abreu e Lima Refinery (RNEST), located in Ipojuca, Pernambuco, closed 2024 with a record of 410,000 metric tonnes of bunker fuel production. 

Petrobras said the number is more than double the previous record, from 2023, when the refinery produced 201,000 mt.

RNEST’s general manager, Márcio Maia, explained that the product has significant demand both in the domestic and international markets and this increase in production allowed the refinery to capture new markets and, consequently, increase revenue. 

“We expect to maintain a similar level of production in the coming years. We are working to always improve our performance,” he said.

“RNEST has strategic importance in supplying ships and a very strong competitive advantage, as it is connected, via pipeline, to the Port of Suape, which also gives us agility to transport production.”

According to Petrobras’ website, RNEST has been refining oil and producing oil products to supply to the market since December 2014.

The company said it is the most modern refinery it has ever built and it is also its fifth largest unit in refining capacity which is 230,000 barrels per day.

Among all Brazilian refineries, Petrobras said RNEST is its unit with the highest crude oil conversion rate in diesel (70%).

Photo credit: Petrobras
Published: 4 February, 2025