Patricia Carneiro dos Santos
Manager
Petrobras
Patrícia Carneiro dos Santos is a chemical engineer with almost 20 years of experience in the energy industry, working at Petrobras (current company) and at Chemtech – A Siemens Company. She currently works as Downstream Strategy Manager at Corporate Strategy. She has worked in engineering project management, technical support for operational assets, business assessment in gas & power and digital transformation. She also holds a PhD in Energy Planning (2016) and a Master's in Chemical and Biochemical Process Technology (2008).
Participates in
TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Energy Fuels and Molecules
Alternative Fuels - E fuels, Biofuels and SAF
Forum 15 | Technical Programme Hall 3
28
April
14:30
16:00
UTC+3
Brazil stands out globally for its predominantly renewable energy matrix, which is one of the cleanest in the world. Almost half of Brazil's internal energy supply comes from renewable sources, a very impressive figure compared to the global average. This progressive trajectory in renewable energy reinforces Brazil's leadership in the global energy transition, setting an inspiring model for other nations to follow.
Petrobras, as a leading energy company in Brazil, has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at promoting alternative fuels such as biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), bunker with renewable content and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Petrobras has already overcome some challenges that other companies are facing right now. About biofuels, in Brazil there are gasoline with 27% ethanol, diesel with 14% biodiesel and bunker fuel with 24% renewables. These were challenges that turned into great opportunities for Petrobras’ portfolio.
Petrobras has a long history of integrating biofuels into its products portfolio . In the 1970s, the company played a pivotal role in introducing ethanol as a blend with gasoline to fuel light fleet vehicles, reducing crude oil imports. This initiative was driven by the need for energy security and has evolved into a significant component of Brazil's energy transition strategy.
In recent years, Petrobras has increased its investments in low-carbon initiatives, which now represent 15% of its total investments, up from 11% in the previous plan. The company has allocated 16 billion US dollars for these investments.
Petrobras has also been pioneering in Brazil the use of co-processing technology as part of its strategy to produce low-carbon fuels. Co-processing involves the simultaneous processing of renewable feedstocks, such as vegetable oils and animal fats, with fossil current in existing hydrotreating units, to produce HVO or SAF. This approach allows for the production of diesel or Jet fuel with a renewable content between 1% to 10%, depending on the characteristics of the hydrotreating unit. The technology offers a cost-effective and agile solution for introducing renewable diesel and SAF into the market, leveraging existing infrastructure and minimizing capital expenditure. Petrobras has successfully implemented diesel co-processing in several of its refineries, with a combined production capacity of 3.6 million cubic meters per year and SAF coprocessing already available in one refinery. The cost of energy transition may weigh more heavily on developing countries so Petrobras seeks for the most beneficial solutions for the country and for the company, such as biofuels and co-processing of renewable loads in existing refining assets.
The main objective of this article is to summarize Petrobras' actions in the energy transition, clarifying specially the challenges and benefits of co-processing sustainable feedstocks, while the company is developing other energy alternatives for the future.
Co-author/s:
Marcelo Antunes Gauto, Manager, Petrobas.
Petrobras, as a leading energy company in Brazil, has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at promoting alternative fuels such as biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), bunker with renewable content and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Petrobras has already overcome some challenges that other companies are facing right now. About biofuels, in Brazil there are gasoline with 27% ethanol, diesel with 14% biodiesel and bunker fuel with 24% renewables. These were challenges that turned into great opportunities for Petrobras’ portfolio.
Petrobras has a long history of integrating biofuels into its products portfolio . In the 1970s, the company played a pivotal role in introducing ethanol as a blend with gasoline to fuel light fleet vehicles, reducing crude oil imports. This initiative was driven by the need for energy security and has evolved into a significant component of Brazil's energy transition strategy.
In recent years, Petrobras has increased its investments in low-carbon initiatives, which now represent 15% of its total investments, up from 11% in the previous plan. The company has allocated 16 billion US dollars for these investments.
Petrobras has also been pioneering in Brazil the use of co-processing technology as part of its strategy to produce low-carbon fuels. Co-processing involves the simultaneous processing of renewable feedstocks, such as vegetable oils and animal fats, with fossil current in existing hydrotreating units, to produce HVO or SAF. This approach allows for the production of diesel or Jet fuel with a renewable content between 1% to 10%, depending on the characteristics of the hydrotreating unit. The technology offers a cost-effective and agile solution for introducing renewable diesel and SAF into the market, leveraging existing infrastructure and minimizing capital expenditure. Petrobras has successfully implemented diesel co-processing in several of its refineries, with a combined production capacity of 3.6 million cubic meters per year and SAF coprocessing already available in one refinery. The cost of energy transition may weigh more heavily on developing countries so Petrobras seeks for the most beneficial solutions for the country and for the company, such as biofuels and co-processing of renewable loads in existing refining assets.
The main objective of this article is to summarize Petrobras' actions in the energy transition, clarifying specially the challenges and benefits of co-processing sustainable feedstocks, while the company is developing other energy alternatives for the future.
Co-author/s:
Marcelo Antunes Gauto, Manager, Petrobas.
TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Energy Fuels and Molecules
Pathways to Net-Zero Refining and Petrochemical Facilities
Forum 16 | Technical Programme Hall 3
29
April
14:30
16:00
UTC+3
Petrobras, a leading company in Brazil's energy sector, has been a pioneer in biofuel production since the 1970s. The company is actively pursuing initiatives to reduce emissions, committing nearly USD 16 billion over the next five years to its energy transition, which represents 15% of its total investments.
Petrobras has also pioneered the use of diesel coprocessing technology, which involves the simultaneous processing of renewable feedstocks, such as vegetable oils and animal fats, with fossil diesel in existing hydrotreating units. This method allows for the production of diesel with a renewable content of up to 10%, offering a cost-effective and agile solution for introducing renewable diesel into the market. The company has successfully implemented this technology in several of its refineries, with a combined production capacity of 3.6 million cubic meters per year.
In addition to these technological advancements, Petrobras is focusing on expanding its research and development efforts in energy transition. The company is committed to exploring innovative solutions and forming partnerships with universities, suppliers, and international partners to enhance oil and gas exploration while minimizing environmental impact. This integrated approach positions Petrobras as a key enabler in the development of cleaner energy systems and underscores its commitment to a more sustainable future.
Another significant achievement is the production of HLR Verde (Green Refinery Light Hydrocarbons), which involves the coprocessing of ethanol in Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) units. The HLR Verde initiative is part of Petrobras' broader strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of renewable feedstocks in its refining processes. The HLR Verde project has been successfully tested at the RECAP refinery, driving innovation and sustainability across the entire energy value chain.
Additionally, the Riograndense Refinery (RPR), a company with equity participation by Petrobras, Ultra, and Braskem, became the first refinery in the world to process 100% vegetable oil in an FCC unit in 2023. This initiative produces fuels and chemical feedstocks such as propylene and bio-aromatics (benzene, toluene, and xylene), leveraging proprietary technology developed by Petrobras. The innovative aspect of this development lies in the integration of bio-oil into an existing refining asset, minimizing the need for additional capital investment while enabling new pathways for energy transition and value creation within the Brazilian industrial sector. The ultimate objective is to transform the Riograndense Refinery into the world’s first facility capable of producing 100% renewable products.
These innovative approaches allow for the production of green hydrocarbons, which can be used as feedstock for the production of green plastics and other petrochemical products, highlighting Petrobras' commitment to reducing environmental impacts through the integration of renewable energy sources in its refining and petrochemical assets.
Co-author/s:
Luis Adolfo Pereira Beckstein, Coordinator, Petrobras.
Petrobras has also pioneered the use of diesel coprocessing technology, which involves the simultaneous processing of renewable feedstocks, such as vegetable oils and animal fats, with fossil diesel in existing hydrotreating units. This method allows for the production of diesel with a renewable content of up to 10%, offering a cost-effective and agile solution for introducing renewable diesel into the market. The company has successfully implemented this technology in several of its refineries, with a combined production capacity of 3.6 million cubic meters per year.
In addition to these technological advancements, Petrobras is focusing on expanding its research and development efforts in energy transition. The company is committed to exploring innovative solutions and forming partnerships with universities, suppliers, and international partners to enhance oil and gas exploration while minimizing environmental impact. This integrated approach positions Petrobras as a key enabler in the development of cleaner energy systems and underscores its commitment to a more sustainable future.
Another significant achievement is the production of HLR Verde (Green Refinery Light Hydrocarbons), which involves the coprocessing of ethanol in Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) units. The HLR Verde initiative is part of Petrobras' broader strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of renewable feedstocks in its refining processes. The HLR Verde project has been successfully tested at the RECAP refinery, driving innovation and sustainability across the entire energy value chain.
Additionally, the Riograndense Refinery (RPR), a company with equity participation by Petrobras, Ultra, and Braskem, became the first refinery in the world to process 100% vegetable oil in an FCC unit in 2023. This initiative produces fuels and chemical feedstocks such as propylene and bio-aromatics (benzene, toluene, and xylene), leveraging proprietary technology developed by Petrobras. The innovative aspect of this development lies in the integration of bio-oil into an existing refining asset, minimizing the need for additional capital investment while enabling new pathways for energy transition and value creation within the Brazilian industrial sector. The ultimate objective is to transform the Riograndense Refinery into the world’s first facility capable of producing 100% renewable products.
These innovative approaches allow for the production of green hydrocarbons, which can be used as feedstock for the production of green plastics and other petrochemical products, highlighting Petrobras' commitment to reducing environmental impacts through the integration of renewable energy sources in its refining and petrochemical assets.
Co-author/s:
Luis Adolfo Pereira Beckstein, Coordinator, Petrobras.
