Petrobras is running its 13 domestic refineries at an average of around 60 percent of capacity in response to the collapse in oil demand. The 46,000 b/d Manaus refinery in the northern state of Amazonas and the 208,000 b/d Araucaria refinery in the southern state of Parana are both operating at only around 30 percent.
The two refineries are among eight that Petrobras plans to sell by the end of 2021, although the sales process is currently on hold as a result of the oil market instability.
The 239,000 b/d Duque de Caxias refinery is operating at around 58 percent, with one of three distillation units halted. Because of the loss of oil demand, Petrobras confirmed that some of its refineries are operating at "minimum load".
Earlier this month, the company said it stopped fuel imports and is adjusting its refinery network to meet changes in domestic demand, particularly a sharp increase in LPG consumption resulting from stay-at-home orders.
The company was operating its refineries at around 81 percent of capacity January, bolstered by external demand for low-sulfur marine fuel and high-octane gasoline. Upstream, Petrobras has shut more than 60 shallow-water platforms and is redeploying some of the workers to its refineries.
