Petrobras and three private-sector gas producers have extended long-term access agreements for natural gas processing at the Catu Natural Gas Processing Unit (UTG Catu) in Bahia, Brazil, securing continued use of the facility and providing greater certainty for producers.
In a statement issued August 19, Petrobras said the agreements extend guaranteed processing capacity from 2028 and update the commercial and operational terms for Petrobras, PetroReconcavo, Brava Energia and Origem Energia. The amendments took effect immediately.
The revised agreements are also intended to reduce costs and improve the use of existing processing capacity.
“In Bahia, the initiative contributes to attracting investment, optimizing existing resources and creating favorable conditions for the sector’s long-term growth,” said Stênio Galvão, Petrobras’ Executive Manager of Exploration and Production.
UTG Catu processes natural gas produced from onshore fields in Bahia and is a critical component of the state’s gas infrastructure. The Petrobras-operated facility has a processing capacity of 2 million cubic meters per day. It has been opened to third-party producers, allowing companies such as PetroReconcavo, Origem Energia and 3R Petroleum to access established processing infrastructure rather than developing separate facilities.
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“The agreement between the companies reaffirms the importance of shared infrastructure as a tool for increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of the natural gas market,” said Álvaro Tupiassu, Petrobras’ Executive Manager of Gas and Energy.
In May, Petrobras said it will more than double oil and gas production in Bahia to 30,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), supported by new investments and projects expected to generate more than 6,500 direct jobs.
The Brazilian state-run oil company explained at the time that its strategic plan for Bahia includes US$3.5 billion (approx. R$18 billion) in exploration and production investments, aimed at boosting output while expanding industrial activity in the region.
