Petrobras resumes investments in Minas Gerais during Lula visit
- Petrobras plans R$3.8 billion for Regap (2026-30) to generate ~8,000 jobs, with potential up to R$9 billion and 36,000 jobs over the next ten years including projects under study.
- Regap processes 166,000 bpd; a project started in 2026 will add 25,000 bpd with 2027 start-up, and an additional 59,000 bpd increase is under study to raise capacity by 50%.
- Regap is implementing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Diesel R (renewable content) and commissioned a R$63 million 13.3 MW photovoltaic plant expected to cut ~8,000 tCO2/year.
Presidential visit and investment restart
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited Regap in Betim on 20/03; Petrobras announced the resumption of investments and projects at the refinery and attended by company and government authorities.
Planned investments and jobs
Under the 2026–30 business plan Petrobras will invest R$3.8 billion in Regap, targeting about 8,000 jobs; over the next ten years investments may reach R$9 billion with up to 36,000 jobs including projects under study.
Processing capacity increases
Regap currently processes 166,000 barrels per day (about 9% of Petrobras derivatives); a 2026 project will add 25,000 bpd with start-up in 2027, and an additional 59,000 bpd increase is under study, potentially raising capacity by 50%.
Low‑carbon fuels and decarbonization
Regap is implementing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and has started Diesel R production (with renewable content); it also commissioned a R$63 million photovoltaic plant with about 20,000 solar panels and 13.3 thousand KW generation capacity, expected to cover consumption of roughly 10,000 households and avoid about 8,000 tCO2/year.
Regional economic footprint
The refinery works with 16,000 registered suppliers, 480 active contracts and about R$28 billion contracted; workforce increased from roughly 2,000 in 2020–21 to about 3,800 after Regap left Petrobras’ divestment portfolio.
Source: Petrobras