Açu Petróleo, Petrobras and Transpetro sign unprecedented infrastructure sharing agreement

(PetroleoHoje) Açu Petróleo signed with Petrobras and Transpetro the first infrastructure sharing agreement for crude oil. Focused on the Osduc network (Cabiúnas-Reduc), the operation will enable the connection of the future line that will interconnect the Oil Terminal, in Porto do Açu, in São João da Barra (RJ), to the Cabiúnas Terminal, located in Macaé (RJ ).

In addition to future network sharing, the agreement provides for the joint development of technical and engineering studies by Açu Petróleo, Petrobras and Transpetro aimed at making the connection of the two pipelines operationally compatible.

“It is an unprecedented and very important agreement, which reinforces Açu Petróleo’s positioning in providing infrastructure and logistical solutions for the movement of liquids in Brazil. This is the first time this has happened involving the sharing of crude oil infrastructure”, highlighted Victor Bonfim, CEO of Açu Petróleo.

The pipeline that will interconnect the Açu and Cabiúnas terminals is part of the project to expand the tank park at Porto do Açu already in advanced licensing process. Budgeted at R$ 2.5 billion, the complex will have up to 12 oil tanks, with a total capacity of 5.7 million barrels.

The completion of the Açu to Cabiúnas pipeline work should be completed between the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. The pipeline will be 100 km long and 24” in diameter, and will be able to flow around 170,000 b/d. The commercial terms of the agreement signed with Petrobras and Transpetro will be defined in the future.

The agreement reinforces Açu Petróleo’s business expansion plan. The alternative is seen by the group as strategic for the movement of oil in the country, since it will add another supply route to the Duque de Caxias (Reduc) refineries, in Rio de Janeiro, and Gabriel Passos (Regap), in Minas General.

The project to interconnect the Porto do Açu and Cabiúnas terminals will allow greater operational flexibility and efficiency for oil export, import and cabotage operations. Açu Petróleo accounts for 30% of the country’s oil exports.

At the moment, Açu Petróleo is bidding for the construction of the tank park, whose work is scheduled to begin throughout 2022.

Operating since 2016, the Açu Petróleo terminal is licensed to handle up to 1.2 million bpd, has a depth of 25 meters and extensive infrastructure, serving large operators that have activities in Brazil. Açu Petróleo also operates in cabotage support operations to supply refineries along the Brazilian coast.