Recife, January 20, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Pernambuco State Environmental Agency (CPRH) granted a license to the Vibrapar Group from São Paulo to install a petroleum refinery, the second in the Northeast, in the Suape Industrial and Port Complex. The first refinery is installed in Bahia. The initiative will lead to the creation of 600 direct and 900 indirect jobs.

The plan is for operations to begin in the first half of 2005, with the production of gasoline, diesel fuel, naphta, and cooking gas. Daily production by the unit will start at 6 thousand barrels and reach 60 thousand in four years. (DAS)