How petrobras manages 10 years of fuel supply

Ten years later, after two million liters of gasoline were produced based on 20 different formulae and after many technological achievements, the Brazilian company will celebrate, on Friday (07/04), also during the qualifying classification for the Silverstone GP, a decade supplying the most important global auto racing category.

In this period, Petrobras covered the world transporting gasoline for all GPs, a complex feat of logistics that involves the work of some 50 professionals, among engineers and technicians, and ranges from the choice of raw materials to the definition of the formula, from dozens of tests to maritime, road and air transportation.

The special F1 gasoline is developed jointly by Petrobras’ Research Center (Cenpes) and Downstream area, while the Engine Refining Lab, in Canoas (state of Rio Grande do Sul), is in charge of preparing it. The fuel is sent for testing and to the races from Hamburgo, Germany, where Petrobras stores the gasoline in 200-liter barrels and 20,000-liter tanks. Approximately 200,000 liters are produced per year for testing and for use in the races.

“Auto competitions, particularly Formula 1, represent the top progress made in auto engineering. Participating in the world’s most important auto racing category is a great opportunity for an energy company, and requires the development of products that comply with the highest levels of demand,” said engineer Rogério Gonçalves, Petrobras’ technical coordinator for Formula 1 gasoline.

When it decided to enter the F1 circuit, Petrobras had two main objectives: to reinforce its brand abroad and to use the world’s most sophisticated testing grounds to develop new products and high technology. “In this period, Petrobras had to overcome several challenges. Williams used four engine brands, and the regulation changed engine size (from 3,000 cc to 2,400 cc), configuration (from V10 to V8), and minimum durability (engines must resist two races). For 2008, with the mandatory use of biofuels added to the gasoline, new needs were created and demanded quick response and major adaptation capacity,” explained Gonçalves.

In fact, the Fedération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) determination that F-1 fuel have at least 5.75% biofuel in its composition ensured yet another important chapter in the partnership between Petrobras and Williams. Late last year, the company was the first oil company to officially announce the launch of F-1 gasoline added of renewable components, or biofuels.

One of the practical results achieved by Petrobras’ work in Formula One was the launch of the Podium gasoline, the best fuel in Brazil.

Petrobras in Formula 1

• 2 million liters produced and supplied in 50 different batches
• 200,000 liters produced per year
• 20 different formulae approved by FIA
• 170 Grand Prix raced
• 200 experimental gasolines prepared and tested at engine manufacturer facilities, about 300 in the lab
• 4 different engines have ran on the gasolines: Renault (Mecachrome and Supertec), BMW, Cosworth; and Toyota
• 50 people work on the gasoline’s development and distribution logistics.