Petrobras and Amazônica Energy have signed the first contract for the sale of natural gas from the Urucu Cluster for the small-scale commercialization of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The agreement inaugurates a new stage in the monetization of reserves in the Solimões Sedimentary Basin and marks an advance for the natural gas market in the state of Amazonas.
Gas supply is scheduled to begin in February 2028, with an initial contracted volume of 100,000 m³/day and a ten-year term, with the possibility of expansion as the project progresses. The objective is to bring natural gas to locations in the Northern Region that face logistical restrictions in accessing this resource, creating distribution solutions aimed at expanding the supply of this fuel in remote areas of the Brazilian Amazon, thus contributing to the reduction of emissions and the more efficient use of the region's energy resources.
The initiative reinforces Petrobras' role as an agent of energy and regional development , consolidating natural gas as a vector of integration and efficiency in the Brazilian energy matrix. 'The partnership with Amazônica Energy reinforces our commitment to solutions that boost the national energy sector. This contract expands access to natural gas in the Northern Region, with new delivery methods and innovative solutions that seek to foster the local economy, generating benefits in the region and for the country's gas market,' highlights Álvaro Tupiassu, Executive Manager of Gas and Energy at Petrobras.
The project foresees investments by Amazônica Energy in LNG liquefaction, transportation, and regasification units, as well as the expansion of the transportation delivery point. This will foster regional development by generating jobs and income, reducing production costs, stimulating the local production chain, and strengthening the Brazilian natural gas market.
'The strategic partnership with Petrobras is of paramount importance for the development of this project, which aims to diversify the energy matrix in the Northern Region with a focus on sustainability, given its smaller carbon footprint. Having a player like Petrobras by our side enhances our efforts and complements the initiative of major national and international partners who actively collaborate with Amazônica Energy in this endeavor. Our commitment to the Northern Region is a value enshrined in the company's name itself, and we are very honored to lead this initiative that will benefit different productive sectors in the region. The implementation of the LNG Terminal will allow the supply of liquefied natural gas to industries, thermoelectric plants, CNG in vehicle fleets, and logistics hubs distributed along road and river axes, with positive impacts on job creation, attracting investments, and strengthening the regional economy,' says Marcelo Araújo, CEO of Amazônica Energy.
Petrobras in Urucu
Since 1988, Petrobras has been producing oil and gas safely and sustainably in the region. The Urucu Polo is the third largest natural gas producer in Brazil, with an average production of 5.1 million cubic meters per day, supplying 65% of the electricity generation in Manaus and five other municipalities in Amazonas. In addition, cooking gas (LPG), with an average of 80,000 cylinders per day, supplies all the states in the North and part of the Northeast of the country.
The operation generates approx. 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, including roughly 1,000 workers in the region who commute daily from Manaus and Carauari, primarily to work at the facility.
Over the years, Petrobras has developed more than 1.5 million seedlings of native species for reforestation in the region, and currently 98% of its concession areas remain preserved to ensure environmental sustainability. All waste generated in Urucu's operations is properly disposed of, and the unit is self-sufficient in energy, using locally produced natural gas, which helps to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: Petrobras
