The practice is used by the oil industry to maintain pressure on reservoirs and prolong the life of the fields
Brazil reinjected 97.052 million m³ per day of natural gas in the reservoirs in July, representing 51.4% of the total production of 188.9 million m³/day. The information is from (National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels).
Natural gas reinjection is a practice used by the oil industry to maintain pressure on reservoirs and extend field life. Instead of burning gas, as occurs in the flaringit is compressed and returned to the reservoir, contributing to more efficient oil production.
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In July, Brazil produced 188.9 million m³/day of natural gas. Of this total:
- 51.4% (97.052 million m³/day) in the reservoirs;
- The rest of the gas was intended for industrial, thermoelectric consumption or export.
Reinjection has been growing since 2015, especially in offshore fields such as Campos Basin and Santos Basin, where gas compression helps maintain the natural pressure of reservoirs, according to ANP.
In Brazil, about 85% of the extracted natural gas is associated type, ie produced together with oil. Thus, operators need to decide between marketing gas or reinject it, as their withdrawal is necessary to enable oil production.
Reinjection limit
In August 2024, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Decree 12,153 of 2024 ( – 137 KB), which gives the ANP the authority to determine the reduction of natural gas reinjection in the producing fields.
The measure applies to new projects and allows ANP to review field development plans in operation, even if there are current contracts. The goal is to direct gas to the domestic market, meeting industry demand and reducing costs.
At the time, Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira (PSD), said the government will work to promote one in the country.
The strategy includes expanding private initiative access to gas flow and processing infrastructure, currently dominated by Petrobras. With this, it is expected to reduce reinjection and increase gas availability to the market, aiming to reduce prices and the growth of national industry.
