Responsible for transporting around 650 billion liters of oil, derivatives and biofuels per year to all regions of the country, the National Control and Logistics Center (CNLC) (photo), of Transpetro, a subsidiary of Petrobras, is also one of the company’s main means of combating pipeline theft.
Using sophisticated technology, CNLC is able to detect precisely where criminal activity may be taking place and allows immediate intervention by field teams. As a result, over the last five years, the company has reduced the number of thefts by more than 85%. In 2018, the peak of incidents, there were 261 thefts or attempted thefts of pipelines.
In 2023, 28 occurrences related to theft were recorded. Of this total, 18 were effective (64%) and 10 were attempted (36%). Of the 28 occurrences in 2023, the state of São Paulo was responsible for 57% of the cases (16), followed by Rio de Janeiro with 21% (six occurrences), the majority in rural areas.
When analyzing the type of product and the volumes extracted, it is observed that, in 2023, the total volume extracted was 269.50 m³, a result approximately 67% lower than the 808.70 m³ extracted in 2022 and 85% lower than the 1,787.51 m³ extracted in 2021.
Criminal action
With technological advances, relationship actions with communities neighboring pipelines to report criminal activity and partnerships with state public security agencies, in 2024, to date, Transpetro has identified 17 occurrences.
“Transpetro has been seeking to implement technologies and processes that identify incidents as quickly as possible. This ensures a more agile response to repairs and impacts resulting from criminal action, mitigating risks to life, the environment and operational safety. In 2023, it was found that 79% of incidents were identified within three days,” says the company.
In addition to the financial loss, criminal activity also causes environmental damage and creates a scenario for a greater tragedy. It is an economic, environmental and life-threatening crime.
There are risks of leaks, fires and explosions that could impact the environment, surrounding communities and facilities. Transpetro informs that it provides a telephone number, 168, to receive reports of situations that pose a risk to the transportation of products through pipelines. The telephone number is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and receives anonymous reports.
Transpetro Terminal in Brasilia – photo – Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil
“As in other countries, Transpetro has been suffering from fuel theft. Transportation through the pipeline is safe and efficient, as long as there are no criminal interventions that do not meet safety requirements and end up creating risks to the environment and the population. Our goal is to eliminate this. We rely on partnerships with security agencies, communities and our technology,” explains the executive manager of Logistics Integrations, Adriana Andrade.
Day of 168
Starting this week, Transpetro is promoting a broad mobilization in 15 cities in nine states to mark Pipeline Safety Day. Held annually on August 16, the initiative is known as 168 Day, in reference to the free telephone number created by the company for direct contact with the population.
The action raises awareness of the importance of combating third-party intervention in pipelines and seeks to strengthen relationships with communities surrounding operations against the illegal practice of diverting oil and derivatives through pipelines, which puts society and the environment at risk.
Transpetro
Operating 48 terminals (27 waterways and 21 land), around 8,500 kilometers of pipelines and 33 ships, Transpetro is Petrobras’ largest subsidiary.
The company provides services to distributors, the petrochemical industry and other companies in the oil and gas sector.
