Petrobras Begins Procedures for Start-Up of Natural Gas Processing Unit

SEATTLE (Oil Monster): Petrobras, the state-owned Brazilian petroleum industry company, announced that it has commenced procedures for the previously declared start-up of the country’s largest natural gas processing unit (UPGN) located in Itaboraí City, Rio de Janeiro state.

The National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP) granted the firm permission to operate the facility industrially. The Route 3 gas pipeline will carry the gas extracted from the pre-salt stratum of the Santos Basin. The UPGN unit is part of the Route 3 Integrated Project (PIR3), which is anticipated to increase natural gas supplies to the domestic market.

The final preparation phase for the UPGN unit is in progress, with the calibration of processes and equipment already underway. The commercial operations are expected to begin in early October.

Up to 18 million cubic meters of gas per day will be able to flow through the PIR3 project, enabling UPGN to handle up to 21 million cubic meters of gas per day.

In related news, Pertobras has renamed the Itaboraí Industrial Complex, which houses the UPGN unit, into Boaventura Energy Complex. It is currently working on two gas-fired thermoelectric plants and refining units. The completion of these works will significantly boost the production capacity of the Complex.