Our water resource management has as its basic principle to constantly seek the rational use of water. In this sense, we seek the adoption of low-intensity water use technologies, the minimization of its use in operations and processes, and the reuse and the identification of alternative sources of supply.

Regarding the effluents generated, we seek to minimize discarded polluting substances, through segregation, treatment and adequate disposal of currents.

For the management of water resources and effluents, the results of which are monitored by senior management, we develop process standards and specific technical guidelines for these topics, which establish requirements that must be observed and deployed by all our business areas and serve as a reference for our other companies.

Regarding the systematization of information, we have a corporate database in which information related to the management of water resources and effluents is recorded, consulted, and processed. It is through this system that we annually carry out our inventory, which, in 2021 included 310 facilities that use water and generate effluents.

In 2021, we did not identify significant quantitative or qualitative impacts on water sources resulting from our direct water withdrawal processes and we also did not identify any significant quantitative or qualitative impacts on the sources where our effluents are discharged.

In 2021, we reaffirmed our Sustainability Commitment to reduce our freshwater withdrawal by 50% by 2030, which considers planned divestments in the company's portfolio management, as well as a portfolio of actions and projects developed for this purpose. These actions are focused on reuse and complemented by measures to reduce water losses or adopt alternative sources of water. The evolution of such actions is periodically monitored by our HSE Governance structure and by the Executive Board.

In 2021, we obtained, for the third consecutive year, the maximum score (100) in the DJSI World on the topic of Water-Related Risks and achieved an A- (Leadership) score in the CDP Water Safety.

 

Use of fresh water and reuse (megaliters)

During 2021, we withdrew 150,749 megaliters of fresh water for our operational and administrative activities, 8% below our target (maximum limit) of 163,000 megaliters.

 

 

Produced water management

We manage our offshore produced water discharges in accordance with CONAMA Resolution 393/2007, which is the Brazilian regulation that provides for the continuous disposal of production water on offshore platforms. In this resolution, the daily and monthly limits for the disposal of Oil and Grease Content (TOG) are described, which correspond to 42 mg/L and 29 mg/L, respectively.

In both onshore and offshore environments, we also carry out the reinjection of produced water for the secondary recovery of oil in the reservoirs.

In 2021, we discharged around 84,000 megaliters of produced water into the environment and re-injected around 68,000 megaliters for secondary oil recovery purposes.

Recognizing the importance of this topic for our internal management and for stakeholders, we publicly reaffirm the ten Sustainability Commitments, including “Zero growth of process waste by 2025.”

Since 2013, we have developed initiatives to minimize the generation of solid waste, in line with the concept of circular economy and the generation of new products. The waste circularity practices have allowed, in the last 10 years, to reduce the generation of hazardous waste by more than half, from 261 thousand tons in 2012 to 109 thousand tons in 2021, minimizing any negative impacts on the environment and people.

In 2021, the generation of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste in our processes was 109 thousand and 169 thousand tons, respectively. The generation of hazardous waste from processes in 2021 was lower than the result of the last four years. The generation of non-hazardous waste, in turn, was slightly higher than that recorded in 2020, in accordance with variations in our processes.

 

Hazardous and non-hazardous waste generated

 

Management of waste-related impacts

As recommended by the Petrobras Manage Waste Standard and the National Solid Waste Policy, we follow the waste management hierarchy established in current legislation. Since 2013, we have developed initiatives to minimize the generation of solid waste, in line with the concept of circular economy and the generation of new products.

The waste circularity practices have allowed, in the last 10 years, to reduce the generation of hazardous waste by more than half, from 261 thousand tons in 2012 to 109 thousand tons in 2021, minimizing any negative impacts on the environment and people.

 

Destination hazardous and non-hazardous waste and disposal technologies