Petrobras has announced plans to complete the expansion of Train One at its Abreu e Lima Refinery (RNEST) in Brazil by early 2025, reported Reuters.

The move comes nearly ten years after the project was halted amidst a significant corruption scandal.

The refinery is located in Ipojuca, state of Pernambuco, in the Suape Port Industrial Complex, 45km away from Recife.

The expansion of Train One is expected to increase the refinery's capacity by 15,000bpd, reaching 115,000bpd.

During a press conference, Petrobras production development projects executive manager Marina Cavassin said that work on the refinery's second train in Pernambuco state is set to commence in the later half of this year and is anticipated to conclude in 2028.

Cavassin said: "We are talking about several units in a very complex system. We are going to have partial deliveries.”

RNEST general manager Marcio Maia said that the refinery currently contributes approximately 6% to Petrobras' total refining capacity.

Petrobras president Jean Paul Prates said that the investment in RNEST is part of the company’s broader strategy to increase fuel production and reduce Brazil's reliance on imported fuels.

In November 2023, Petrobras president Jean Paul Prates unveiled a business plan of $102bn in investments for the 2024–28 period, with the RNEST expansion already included.

Last year, Petrobras acquired stakes in three exploration blocks in São Tomé and Príncipe, an African island nation, for an undisclosed sum.

The Brazilian state-owned oil and gas company acquired a 45% stake in blocks 10 and 13 and a 25% stake in block 11.