FUP praises Petrobras' return to the distribution sector.

247 - Petrobras' decision to resume its activity in the fuel distribution sector, starting with cooking gas (LPG), was classified as strategic by the Unified Federation of Petroleum Workers (FUP). The announcement was made after a meeting of the state-owned company's Board of Directors on Thursday (7). According to the company's president, Magda Chambriard, the measure aims to "leave doors open" for future opportunities, focusing on capturing sales margins in a market that is expected to grow in the coming years.

Magda Chambriard's statements were made during a conference call with analysts, as reported by Folha de S. Paul"We are looking to capture the margins of our products. We have products that will have increasing production and, if it's a good business for the company, profitable and attractive, why not explore this synergy further?", he stated.

FUP: victory for the workers and a historic struggle.

FUP celebrated the decision as a victory for oil sector workers and recalled that the proposal was already on the agenda during President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's election campaign. According to the organization, resuming distribution was one of the key issues championed both during the government transition and in the Council for Sustainable Economic and Social Development (CDESS), the "Conselhão" (Big Council).

“Returning to the distribution segment is fundamental for Petrobras to regain its regulatory role in the sector,” said the general coordinator of FUP, Deyvid Bacelar. He emphasized: “Now, it remains to be decided on the definitive return to the distribution and commercialization of gasoline, diesel, alcohol, and lubricants that was done by BR Distribuidora, and to confront in court the draconian contract that was signed during the privatization of what was the 5th largest company in Brazil in the distribution sector.”

Losses in regulation and distortions in prices.

Since the sale of BR Distribuidora (now Vibra) and Liquigás during Jair Bolsonaro's government, analysts and experts have been warning about Petrobras's loss of capacity to regulate consumer prices. Data from the National Petroleum Agency (ANP) indicate that, even with successive reductions in fuel prices at refineries between January 2023 and April 2025, the savings were not fully passed on to consumers.

During this period:

• Diesel prices fell by 23,9% at refineries, but only by 2,3% for the end consumer.
  
• Gasoline prices fell 2,2% at refineries, but rose 25,5% at the pumps.
  
• Cooking gas prices fell 17% at refineries, but only 0,7% at points of sale.
  

Considering data up to August 5, 2025, the scenario remains similar:

• Gasoline prices fell 6,5% at refineries, but rose 21,1% for consumers.
  
• Diesel prices fell by 26,6% at refineries, with only a 7,4% decrease for consumers.
  
• LPG fell 6,9% at the source, but only 0,6% at the final point.

New front focused on LPG.

With the limitation imposed by the non-compete clause with Vibra, valid until 2029 for liquid fuels, Petrobras will concentrate its operations on LPG. "There is no discussion within the company about not complying with this clause," stated the state-owned company's financial director, Fernando Melgarejo.

Magda Chambriard highlighted that the expansion of LPG production will be possible with the start of operations, later this year, of the Natural Gas Processing Unit (UPGN) at the Gaslub Complex (formerly Comperj), in Itaboraí (RJ), which will process pre-salt gas transported by the Rota 3 pipeline.

Petrobras' Director of Commercialization, Logistics and Markets, Cláudio Schlosser, reported that the state-owned company has already begun seeking large industrial clients for LPG. "Petrobras has been working to be the best option for the client, offering competitive prices and guaranteeing product availability according to demand," he stated.

Despite concerns from some in the financial market about potential investments in less profitable businesses, Petrobras' re-entry into the distribution sector, albeit gradually, is seen as an important step towards regaining energy sovereignty and correcting market distortions caused by the privatization of strategic assets.

FUP continues to press for a complete reversal of privatizations in the distribution sector and advocates for the repositioning of Petrobras as an integrated company, capable of operating from well to gas station — guaranteeing fair prices, energy security, and national development.