GHG Emissions Intensity in Refining

In refining activities, we established the target of reducing the GHG emissions intensity in refining by 16% by 2025 (36 kgCO2e/CWT), expanding to 30% by 2030 (30 kgCO2e/CWT), based on the 2015 performance. We also point out that actions to reduce the intensity of GHG emissions bring gains in reducing other gas emissions (particulate matter, sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides).

In 2022, the refining GHG emissions intensity, with additional efforts, followed the reduction trend of recent years, reaching the result of 37.9 kgCO2e/CWT.

The main vectors for reducing the emissions intensity in refining are:

> Improvements in energy performance;

> Cargo optimization;

> Reduction of flaring;

> Management of hydrogen production and use.

The main vector for reducing the GHG emissions intensity in refining is the improvement in energy performance. We monitor our energy intensity in refining through the relationship between the total primary energy consumption of a refinery and a standard energy consumption, which considers the volume of processed feed, feed quality, complexity and severity of the process units.

In addition to monitoring the energy intensity of our refining park, we specifically monitor the energy intensity of the refineries covered by our RefTOP Program. It consists of a set of initiatives to increase the efficiency and operational performance of our five refineries located on the RJ-SP axis: Presidente Bernardes Refinery (RPBC), Duque de Caxias Refinery (REDUC), Capuava Refinery (RECAP), Paulínia Refinery (REPLAN) and Henrique Lage Refinery (REVAP). In this context, our target is a 15% reduction in energy intensity.

>> See chapter Investments and Initiatives

Similarly, we monitor total energy consumption in our refining park and have an internal target for the refineries covered by the RefTOP. The 2022 result confirms our downward trend and reflects portfolio management’s effect.

2022 Achievements

At the Paulínia Refinery (REPLAN), the revision and optimization of the feed preheating battery of the Delayed Coking Unit (U-980) enabled savings in fuel gas consumption in the unit’s furnaces of 3,600 tons per year. With the implementation of this project, around 9,000 tCO2 ceased to be emitted annually.

In 2020, we started adapting the process gas heat recovery boiler at the Henrique Lage Refinery (REVAP), in two stages. First, we have already proceeded with the partial alignment of the furnace gases for heat recovery, using results from computational simulations. In the second stage, the total alignment of process gases was made possible in December 2022 through modifications to the boiler steam circulation system. We estimate that the avoided emission is around 30,000 tCO2 per year.

We also highlight great operational efforts and focus on the maintenance of our process furnaces. These measures provided an increase in the combustion efficiency of this equipment throughout 2022, leading to a reduction in fuel consumption that enabled an estimated annual prevention of 25,000 tCO2

Another relevant highlight is the reduction in systemic gas flaring compared to the 2021 performance. Thanks to maintenance efforts and operational continuity of top compressors, monitoring and repair of gas valves connected to the flare system, and the optimization of refining processes, we reduced hydrocarbon flaring, resulting in an estimated annual prevention of 63,000 tCO2 in 2022.