Petrobras has initiated procedures to start up Brazil’s largest natural gas processing unit (UPGN), situated in Itaboraí in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro.
Earlier this week, the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) authorized the facility’s industrial operation.
The UPGN, located at the Boaventura Energy Complex, will receive gas from fields in the presalt Santos Basin. Production will be delivered through the subsea Route 3 gas pipeline, which will also begin operations.
Petrobras aims to use the Route 3 Integrated Project (PIR3), including the UPGN, to step up gas supplies to the Brazilian market. The project will enable the flow of up to 18 MMcm/d and processing of up to 21 MMcm/d of gas by UPGN, also reducing Brazil’s dependence on imports.
Final preparations are underway with calibration of processes and equipment. Commercial operations should start in the first half of October.
