Petrobras takes oil to Cubatão by ships after rains paralyze pipeline, says agency – 02/24/2023 – Market

Petrobras is using ships to transport oil to the Port of Santos and feed the Presidente Bernardes Refinery (RPBC), in Cubatão (SP), as an alternative route to the OSBAT pipeline, which stopped operating due to the heavy rains that hit the coast of São Paulo during Carnival, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The measure allowed the refinery to remain in operation. The OSBAT pipeline transports oil to a terminal in Cubatão, which serves the RPBC and Refinaria Capuava refineries (Recap, in Mauá, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo).

The pipeline remains inoperative with ongoing inspections, say sources with knowledge of the operations.

RPBC has an installed capacity to process 178,000 barrels per day, according to information on the Petrobras website. Recap has the capacity to process approximately 53,000 barrels of oil per day.

“We have just started delivering oil from our ships, in the port of Santos, an alternative route while the OSBAT (São Sebastião – Cubatão) is still being evaluated. This already allows the RPBC to operate,” one of the sources told Reuters in condition of anonymity.

“The refinery did not stop operating, but it would stop when stocks ran out. Delivery by Santos compensates for the OSBAT stop.”

Sought, Petrobras did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In a note on Thursday, Petrobras had informed that the pipeline remained with ongoing inspections and inoperative until all necessary actions were taken for the safe resumption of operations.

The source added that the status of the pipeline is still being analyzed, not least because of the difficulty in accessing various locations. In terms of damage, the source pointed out that refining was maintained “almost normal”. “Great damage was done to the roads and communities,” he added.

Also on Thursday, Petrobras had said that the São Sebastião, Santos and Cubatão Terminals were operating normally.

The OSPLAN (which transports derivatives between São Sebastião and Guararema) and OSVAT (oil between São Sebastião and REVAP/REPLAN) pipelines were inspected and operations were restored on Tuesday.

The oil company, as well as other companies and public bodies, has been supporting the communities affected by the rains with donations of clothes, food, fuel, hygiene and cleaning products, in addition to providing equipment, support bases and teams to contribute to the activities.