Transforming Latin America's Refineries: Profit, Performance, and Decarbonization

A 75-year-old Brazilian refinery is redefining what’s possible for legacy sites by combining digitalization, optimization, and sustainability for significant margin improvement. Through our Profit Improvement Program® (PIP), we delivered over USD 100 million in cumulative gains, lifted middle distillate yields by 6.5 vol%, boosted energy efficiency by more than 10% in just eight months, and improved both reliability and availability. Upgrades ranging from linear program model overhauls to real-time optimization have turned efficiency into profit, while a bold USD 2.4 billion investment in renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel positions the refiner as a global leader in clean fuels.

Additional Key Takeaways

  • Reliability gains Root cause analysis and reliability-centered maintenance approaches reduced downtime of high-impact assets while strengthening process safety and sustainability.
  • Smarter asset management Turnaround optimization boosted mechanical availability and gatekeeper implementation, which cut millions in routine maintenance costs.
  • Advanced digital tools Petro-SIM® digital twin software with kinetic, calibrated simulations, LP upgrades, and advanced backcasting improved crude selection, planning accuracy, and operational alignment.

Contact us to discuss a PIP