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» Downstream
Petrobras supplies almost the entire demand of the Brazilian market for petroleum byproducts - around 1,847 thousand barrels per day (BPD) of oil and 370,000 barrels of natural gas.
Over and beyond increasing its production capacity to attend to the growing demand for byproducts, Petrobras needs to face another challenge: to adapt its refineries to an increase in the conversion rate of different types of oil within the already existing processing structure, and thereby eliminate dependence on imports. The results can already be seen here, thanks to the Strategic Technologies Development Program for Refining (Proter), with processes such as FCCHR (Fluid Catalyst Cracking for Heavy Residues) to transform low-value heavy residues into products that are in great demand on the Brazilian market, such as diesel fuel, gasoline and LPG, to assure profitability to a sector that operates with low profit margins everywhere in the world.
According to Petroleum Intelligence Weekly, Petrobras is the eighth biggest company in the downstream sector (refining, transportation, and marketing)
The term downstream at Petrobras refers to a large part of the company's operational structure: its 16 refineries, capable of producing 2,114 thousand bpd, three fertilizer plants, a total pipeline extension of 30,343 km, terminals, bases and 50 tanker ships (self-owned fleet).
To keep technologically updated at all times, Petrobras is constantly upgrading its downstream activities, endeavoring to meet the growing domestic market for byproducts, fuel quality requirements, personal safety, possible exports and environmental care.
The forecasts indicate average annual investments of $22.5 billion, in the 2008-12 period, in Petrobras' business segments. In distribution, they are expected to reach $2.6 billion.
For the Petrochemical and Fertilizer sector foresees investments for the Rio de Janeiro Petrochemical Complex (Comperj) projects; in addition to the creation of a third Nitrogenated Fertilizer Unit; of a polypropylene Unit in Paulínia; an Acrylic Acid Unit in Minas Gerais, and a PTA/POY Unit in Pernambuco.
Investments made in the Promef – Fleet Expansion & Modernization Program are foreseen to build platform supply vessels.
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