<article><p class="lead">Brazil's asphalt production rose in 2022 because of infrastructural demand in an election year.</p><p>Last year's asphalt output increased by 29pc to 2.4mn m3 (2.9mn t) compared with 2021, according to oil and gas regulator ANP. In 2021, total output fell by 19pc to 1.9mn m3 from 2020 . </p><p>Historically, government officials rush to deliver infrastructure projects during an election year. In Brazil, this situation happens once every two years, in municipal and state government elections.</p><p>In 2022, state-owned Petrobras' 166,000 b/d Regap refinery, in southeastern Minas Gerais state, produced 575,500m3 of asphalt, 63pc more than in 2021. This represents 24pc of Brazil's total yearly output, higher than the 19pc registered in 2021.</p><p>The 252,000 b/d Revap refinery in southeastern Sao Paulo state produced 298,000m3 in 2022, up by 66pc from the prior year and representing 12pc of total output. </p><p>The 252,000 b/d Reduc refinery in southeastern Rio de Janeiro state produced 208,716m3 in 2022, 9pc of Brazil's total production in 2022 and lower than its market share of 12pc in 2021. Reduc's 2022 volumes were 5pc lower than 2021's output.</p><p>Petrobras' 10,000 b/d Lubnor refinery produced 217,600m3 in 2022, an increase of 14pc from the year prior. The refinery located in northeast Ceara state had a market share of 9pc in 2021. </p><p>The production in 220,000 b/d Refap refinery, in southern Rio Grande do Sul state, increased by 52pc in 2022 from the year prior, and contributed 8pc to the country's total output. </p><p>In 2022, the 46,000 b/d Reman refinery, located in northern Manaus state, produced 169,700m3 of asphalt, an increase of 21pc compared to 2021 and a market share of 7pc in total year's production. The <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2396486">refinery sale</a> to Ream was concluded in December 2022. </p><p>The 377,000 b/d Mataripe refinery produced 165,800m3 in 2022, 32pc higher than 2021 levels and 7pc of Brazil's total production. The unit is owned by Acelen, the Brazilian refining subsidiary of Abu Dhabi's Mubadala. </p><p class="bylines">By Kauanna Navarro</p></article>
