Regulatory Agency speaks of irregular imports and safety failures; Operation involves Federal Revenue, Navy and Ministry of Mines and Energy
A (National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels) banned this Friday (26.Set.2025) the Manguinhos Refinery in Rio de Janeiro, operated by. The precautionary (urgent and provisional) measure was taken after inspection that showed evidence of fraud through irregular imports of fuels, non -compliance with regulatory measures and operational and safety failures. Read the statement (PDF – 260 kb).
The action is part of the, conducted by the support of and (Ministry of Mines and Energy). Last week, the taxes valued at R $ 530 million, including 90 million liters of oil derivatives in ships linked to the same investigated group.
Suspicion
According to the Director General of ANP, there is no evidence that the refinery is effectively producing derivatives. “What was identified is the importation of practically ready fuels, with possible adulterations in the classification to reduce the tax burden”these.
The main hypothesis investigated is that Refit declares the purchase of petrochemical NAFTA, lower taxation, and resale as gasoline, which has a larger rate.
In addition, the ANP stated that the company used unauthorized tanks, stored higher at risk products than allowed, did not show evidence of refining process and failed precautionary measure that prohibited the assignment of space in tanks to partner distributors.
More than 100 fuel samples were collected for analysis, including gasoline, diesel, condensed and additives such as n-methyl aniline, used in octane adjustments.
Additional measures
To curb irregularities, ANP has now required that any request for importation of NAFTA be accompanied by a certificate of analysis, reinforcing the checking of information presented by the agents.
The agency will also re -evaluate authorizations from companies dedicated exclusively to fuel formulation, mechanical mix of liquid hydrocarbons to produce gasoline and diesel.
SUPPLY RISK
O (Legal Fuel Institute) considers the interdiction of the Manguinhos Refinery “No impact on national supply”.
According to the entity, the participation of Refit in the offer of derivatives was “Limited”since no evidence of refining in operation were found.
“Brazil has a robust refining park, led by Petrobras, added to the performance of private companies and the possibility of regular importation of derivatives, which ensures the safety of the energy supply.”these.
The institute also stated that the decision of ANP strengthens the fight against illegal practices in the sector.
“Combating fuel fraud is essential to protect society and ensure fair market conditions. The coordinated action between the IRS, ANP and Navy is a clear example that it is possible to curb irregularities without compromising supply consumers ”declared, president of ICL.
Operations History
By September, Refit had already been the target of the supply of fuel to distributors linked to the CCP (first command of the capital).
In judicial recovery, the company billionaire debts for lack of collection of ICMS (Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services).
