Oil

Oil is part of several products in our daily life. In addition to fuels, it is also present, among other products, in fertilizers, plastics, paints, and rubber.

This fossil oil, which took millions of years to form in sedimentary rocks, became the modern world's main source of energy. Here in Brazil, most of the reserves are nestled in the offshore fields, at water depths above those found in the remaining producer nations. Finding oil demanded knowledge and technology, in addition to daringness and creativity of Petrobras.

Analyzing the existing techniques, adapting, improving and innovating to work in an unprecedented scenario turned us into a global benchmark in the sector. Overcoming the huge deep waters led us to yet another challenge: exploring and producing oil in the pre-salt layer.

Oil products

At the refineries, oil undergoes a series of processes until turning into derivatives such as gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricants, naphtha, and aviation fuel.

We transport crude oil and distribute oil products by means of our Transpetro and Petrobras Distribuidora subsidiaries.

Other oil products are the petrochemicals. They substitute for a large array of raw materials, such as wood, glass, cotton, metals, cellulose, and even animal products, such as wool, leather, and ivory. In this sector, we operate through our Petroquisa subsidiary.

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Find out how Oil affords practicality, comfort, and turns into technology.

Oil
Innovation has always taken humanity a step ahead. And Petrobras understands that very well. That is why, from the onset, it has known how to explore the oil reserves there are in Brazil, whether onshore or offshore.
Heavy oil
In Brazil, heavy oil is found in both offshore and in onshore fields. Processing it demands greater capacity of the refining units in order to convert into noble fuels. Additionally, its high-density and viscosity require more effort to get it to flow from the wells to the refineries. This is one of the major challenges Petrobras has overcome.
Light oil
Light oil production in Brazil started at Urucu. The oil found in the Amazon is high-quality, and it is the lightest of those processed in Brazilian refineries.
In 2007, a new exploratory frontier was discovered in the pre-salt layer, which bears a large amount of light oil. Just for you to have an idea, reserves there are estimated at 5 to 8 billion barrels.
Oil products

Lighter oil produces higher volumes of gasoline, diesel fuel, LPG and naphtha.

Heavier oils are appropriate to produce fuel oils and asphalt.

Easier to process than heavy oil, light oil has a better cost/benefit ratio.

Oil in our lives

Oil is everywhere in our society. It is one of the most important sources of energy and is feedstock for many of the products we use nowadays. That is why we are always researching and developing new technologies in oil production: to make your daily life better.

  • Fuels
  • Asphalt
  • Tires
  • Plastic bottles
  • Paint
  • Toys
  • Lipstick

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