The Brazilian oil and gas group Petrobras has decided to continue the implementation of the Train 2 of the 130,000 bbl/d Abreu e Lima Refinery (RNEST) in Suape (Pernambouc, north-eastern Brazil), whose works were suspended in 2015. The RNEST refinery was initially expected to start in 2010 with two 115,000 bbl/d units but the project suffered long delays and the withdrawal of Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) as a potential investor. The first unit started operations in late 2014 and the construction of the second unit, expected to be commissioned in mid-2015, was stopped in 2015. Petrobras now aims to start the second train in 2027 to meet rising diesel demand.
As part of its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, Petrobras aims to expand and modernise its refineries, in order to have 5 refineries in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo with a combined capacity of 1.2 mb/d in 2027 (from 10 refineries with a combined capacity of 1.9 mb/d in 2022). New units and new coker units are planned at REPLAN, RNEST (second train) and GASLUB (new unit only) to increase the production of diesel S-10, along with adaptations in REDUC, REVAP, REGAP and RNEST (1st Train). New units could also be considered at REPAR and REFAP.