Petrobras starts operations at Pre‑Salt Technology Center in Itajubá (UNIFEI)
- R$300 million invested in R&D to build the Technological Center for the Brazilian Pre‑Salt (CTPB).
- CTPB is a semi‑industrial process plant able to reproduce high pressures, high temperatures and high CO₂ content of the Brazilian pre‑salt.
- Libra Consortium partners involved are Shell Brasil, TotalEnergies, CNPC and CNOOC.
- As part of the HISEP project, a dense phase pump was tested in 2023 and final qualification tests at CTPB are planned for the second half of 2026.
Start of operations
Petrobras inaugurated the Technological Center for the Brazilian Pre‑Salt (CTPB) at the Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI) with about 80 participants including company managers, Libra Consortium representatives, main suppliers, the ANP and the Federal Public Power.
Facility capabilities
The CTPB is a semi‑industrial scale process plant described as one of the most modern in its category and the only facility able to reproduce the operational conditions of the Brazilian pre‑salt — high pressures, high temperatures and high CO₂ content.
Investment and partners
The centre was funded with R$300 million from R&D resources provided by Petrobras and Libra Consortium partners, reflecting a national push to promote research and innovation. Libra partners named include Shell Brasil, TotalEnergies, CNPC and CNOOC.
HISEP project and timeline
The CTPB supports the HISEP (High Pressure Submarine Separation System) project, which enables submarine separation and CO₂‑rich gas reinjection to boost production and reduce emissions. Petrobras reported a successful test of a dense phase pump with submarine architecture in 2023 and plans final qualification tests of the pumps at CTPB in the second half of 2026.
Source: Petrobras