Petrobras released this Thursday (7) the balance sheet for the third quarter of 2024, with a profit of R$32.6 billion. Compared to the same period of the previous year, there was an increase of 22.3%. The distribution of R$17.1 billion in dividends to the company’s shareholders was also announced.
Other financial indicators highlighted in the quarter were the recurring Ebitda of R$64.4 billion, which measures a company’s cash generation, free cash flow (FCL) of R$38 billion and operational cash generation (FCO) of R$62.7 billion. According to the state-owned company, this last indicator was one of the six best recorded in a quarter in history.
“We presented significant net profit in the quarter, with strong cash generation and a reduction in both financial and gross debt. All this in a challenging scenario, with a drop in the price of Brent oil. Furthermore, in the 3rd quarter we invested US$4.5 billion in projects that will guarantee the company’s future. Our results show that we are on the right path”, said Magda Chambriard, president of Petrobras.
In relation to the company’s financial debt, there was a reduction of 2.1% in the last quarter, closing at US$ 25.8 billion. Gross debt fell 0.8% to US$59.1 billion. According to the state-owned company, the value remains within the range established in the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. Regarding taxes, the company collected R$64.4 billion, paid to the various federative entities (Union, states and municipalities).
Petrobras highlighted milestones that will contribute to future oil and gas production. One of them was the start of production on the Marechal Duque de Caxias platform ship, in the Mero field, Libra block, in the Santos Basin pre-salt, on October 30. The unit’s published daily production capacity is up to 180 thousand barrels of oil and compression capacity of up to 12 million cubic meters of gas.
On October 15, operation of the FPSO Maria Quitéria began. The unit has the capacity to produce up to 100,000 barrels of oil daily and process up to 5 million cubic meters of gas. It is located in the Jubarte field, in the pre-salt of the Campos Basin. The state-owned company highlights technologies for reducing emissions, such as the combined cycle in energy generation, which allows a 24% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions.
Also highlighted was the arrival in Brazil, in October, of the platform ship Almirante Tamandaré, coming from China. The unit will be installed in Campo de Búzios, in the pre-salt of the Santos Basin, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. FPSO-type platform (floating production, storage and transfer unit), Almirante Tamandaré has the potential to produce up to 225 thousand barrels of oil (bpd) and process 12 million cubic meters of gas per day.
