|
 Volunteer efforts in climate change
Petrobras
Social and environmental responsibility is one of the pillars of the Brazilian energy
company, Petrobras’, strategy. The concept of sustainable development is integral
to its range of actions, programmes and projects. Internationally Petrobras is
committed to the United Nations Global Compact and, among others, adheres to
the G-8 Climate Change Roundtable Statement.
Critically, through the Air Emissions Management System - SIGEA - Petrobras
aims to manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This system generates an
inventory of emissions of GHGs and local pollutants, with continuous monitoring,
of more than 20,000 emission sources. The inventory is available on the
World Economic Forum website, www.ghgr.org/public, in the Public Report of
Registrations of World GHG and on the Petrobras website. Its GHG emissions
report is available for download here.
In the 2007-2011 business plan, the company voluntarily undertook to prevent
GHG emissions of 3.93 million tones of equivalent CO2. This is a voluntary effort
to mitigate against climate change, and is based on the development of more
efficient projects and implementation of renewable energy enterprises.
Biofuels
Petrobras is also involved in biofuels. In the 1970s, Petrobras collaborated
in implementing the major renewable National Fuel Alcohol Programme
- PROÁLCOOL. The company made available transportation, storage and
fuel distribution infrastructure, and invested significantly in technology. It is
developing, in cooperation with other groups, a programme for exporting ethanol.
With its logistics and experience in the fuel market as advantages, Petrobras will
help develop the international ethanol market.
Biodiesel mixed with conventional diesel, decreases the sulphur present and,
reduces the emission of particulates. This improves the lubricating characteristics
of the fuel and prevents CO2 emissions. Its use contributes to the generation
of income and employment as it can be produced by domestic agriculture. The
National Biodiesel Programme initially encourages the addition of 2% of biodiesel
to the diesel, this being mandatory in 2008. In 2013, this percentage shall increase
to 5%.
Another biofuel project is the development of the H-BIO process. This blends the
hydrogenation of vegetable oil in mixtures with diesel in hydro treatment units in
refineries. A percentage of the diesel is therefore renewable.
Petrobras’ efforts in producing clean energy include the generation of energy
from renewable sources, such as the use of biomass, aeolic energy and small
hydroelectric plants. It also develops thermal solar energy projects for the partial
replacement of the electricity or natural gas in water heating systems.
Energy Efficiency
 Petrobras is the executer of the National Programme of Rationalisation of the
Use of Oil Products and Natural Gas - CONPET. It is a federal government
programme to promote efficient energy use in the production, distribution and
use of oil products, natural gas and biofuels, contributing to reduced social costs
and environmental preservation. Petrobras is also implementing the Programme of
Energy Efficiency and has developed more than 50 projects in several areas over
the last three years including:
Programmes to reduce of the burning of natural gas in flares in refineries and
production platforms, avoiding millions cubic metres of natural gas flared off
every day. Technology relating to the compression
of natural gas reduces energy loss.
Several other efficiency measures are being
followed. In refineries, technology for electricity
generation through turbo-expanders has been
operating without increasing emissions. In the
generation of steam and electric power in refineries,
burnt fuel oil, more intensive in carbon, has been
converted into natural gas, less intensive. In the
exploration and production areas, the company
is investing in cogeneration. It is also investing in
the conversion of the simple cycle thermal electric
generation into the combined cycle, increasing
energy efficiency.
In the production of fertilisers and N2O, a
GHG with high global heating power, Petrobras
is developing a project to remove N2O with
catalysers in an ammonia oxidisation reactor.
The company develops reservoirs for the capture
and storage of carbon. The CO2 Capture Project
2 - CCP2 is performed in partnership with other
oil and energy companies and intends to make
technologies available for the mitigation of CO2 in
the atmosphere.
Petrobras believes these voluntary efforts represent an important part of social
and environmental responsibility and ensures Petrobras is active globally in
mitigating against the consequences of climate change.
Petrobras operates in a specialised and integrated form in the oil, natural gas,
energy, exploration and production, refining, trading and distribution of oil
products areas. Currently it is the 15th major international company according
to Petroleum Intelligence Weekly. It has been expanding its operations as an
international energy company and a leader in Latin America.
|
