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Petrobras sees cellulosic ethanol output by 2015

By Inae Riveras

SAO PAULO, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras (PETR4.SA: Quote, Profile , Research)(PBR.N: Quote, Profile , Research) said on Tuesday it expects to reach large scale cellulosic ethanol production in 2015, with the first plant entering operations as early as 2011.

"I believe in 2015 this technology would be arriving at a commercial level," Petrobras' new projects manager, Gilberto Ribeiro de Carvalho, said after a presentation at the Brazilian Agribusiness Association conference.

Many companies around the world, including Petrobras, are rushing to develop a technology that could allow the production of ethanol from cellulosic materials commonly found in the cells of wood and plants.


Experts say biofuel from cellulose could be a breakthrough as it would potentially raise ethanol production with the same cane area, through the use of biomass leftovers.

It could also allow a wider range of materials to be used for biofuel, which would take some demand pressure off of crops like corn and relieve consumer food price inflation.

"There are people investing a lot of money in this, so we have to be positioned. We have to develop the project, have clients, conquer the market for when we have the lignocellulosic ethanol. So we better be fast," he said.

Carvalho said Petrobras is concluding its study of an ethanol pipeline project from Goias to Sao Paulo and is feeling out possible partners. Details of the project will probably be released in two months if it gets approved, he said. Trading house Mitsui is in talks to become an associate in the pipeline, Carvalho said. The Japanese company is especially interesting for Petrobras as it could help open the attractive Japanese fuel market. Brazilian construction firm Camargo Correa is also negotiating to be a partner.

"Petrobras wants a minority stake in the pipeline. Now we are looking for Brazilian associates (mills). This is a good moment to start talking to possible partners as we have more details on the project," Carvalho said.

Producers have shown concern with Petrobras' control of the pipeline and some of them launched a project some months ago to build a pipeline of their own, within Sao Paulo state. The company controls many of Brazil's natural gas pipelines and has been reluctant to share capacity with others in the sector.

"We have to search for synergies with the productive sector," said Carvalho, adding that long term contracts with ethanol producers would limit risks.


Petrobras, which wants to be a world leader in ethanol exports, is also investing in production by taking minority stakes in up to 40 ethanol plant projects, worth $8 billion, together with Mitsui.

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