# Brazil biofuel, refinery, gas & ANP actions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/acelen-brazil-saf-financing > Updated: 2026-08-04T19:41:21.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 12. May‑June 2026 saw Acelen Renováveis secure US$1.5 bn to build a Bahia biorefinery targeting up to 1 bn L/yr of SAF and renewable diesel by 2029, and the federal government license a 99,500 bbl/yr refinery in Simões Filho. Petrobras approved a US$1.2 bn investment for a bio‑fuel complex at Cubatão, aiming for 15,000 bbl/day of aviation kerosene and renewable diesel by 2030. State agencies updated Itaúnas Park buffers and granted a second 99,500 bbl/yr refinery licence at Aratu. The ANP launched a public consultation on the “Gas Release” rule (Oct‑Nov 2026) to require Petrobras to sell part of its gas, and pursued tariff and market‑share reforms under the New Gas Law. ABPIP formally asked the ANP for a technical study on Gas Release and third‑party infrastructure access; the Fórum do Gás called for a public consultation and a commission to probe alleged anti‑competitive conduct. Pré‑sal Petróleo withdrew its mediation request with Petrobras, leaving pre‑salt pipeline negotiations unresolved. On 21 July the ANP disqualified Atem Participações from Amazon block AM‑T‑133. Subsequent developments broadened the energy‑transition agenda. In late June the ANP published the list of firms cleared for the October oil and gas auctions and postponed the Gato do Mato field decision pending gas‑export considerations. BNDES approved financing for Ferbasa’s low‑methane charcoal unit and JBS’s biometane expansion, adding renewable‑gas capacity. The palm‑oil sector announced plans to double cultivated area, positioning the feedstock for advanced diesel and SAF, while a major fuel company secured approval to acquire the AmericanOil distributor in the South. In early August Petrobras halted a deep‑water gas‑pipeline study pending the outcome of the Gas Release programme, and ABPIP signed regional development and innovation pacts in Sergipe. The ANP also created a 270‑day commission to investigate pre‑salt pipeline access disputes. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-04: Petrobras Pauses Gas Pipeline Study as Brazil's Gas Release Program Looms Petrobras paused a Sergipe gas pipeline study amid uncertainty over Brazil's upcoming mandatory gas‑sharing program, while ABPIP signed two initiatives to boost local oil‑and‑gas development and innovation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/petrobras-pauses-gas-pipeline-study-as-brazils-gas-release-program-looms ### 2026-07-21: Brazil's ANP bars Atem from Amazon oil block and launches gas access inquiry Brazil's ANP disqualified Atem from the Amazon AM‑T‑133 oil block and set up a 270‑day commission to probe anti‑competitive conduct in pre‑salt gas pipeline access. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-anp-blocks-atems-amazon-oil-bid-and-forms-gas-access-commission ### 2026-07-13: Brazil's gas lobby and Portugal advocate expanded gas network access and renewable gas Brazil's gas lobby urges open access to Petrobras pipelines, while Portugal stresses the need for a resilient gas network and renewable gas to support decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-gas-lobby-and-portugal-advocate-expanded-gas-network-access-and-renewable-gas ### 2026-07-09: Brazil's gas sector faces regulatory clash over pipeline access Brazil's gas industry is embroiled in a dispute as the Fórum do Gás pushes for open, non‑discriminatory pipeline access while PPSA pulls back from mediation with Petrobras, delaying regulatory reforms and the U 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-gas-sector-faces-regulatory-clash-over-pipeline-access ### 2026-07-07: Brazil's fuel sector expands: palm oil biofuel push and AmericanOil acquisition Brazil's palm oil sector targets biofuel growth amid logistical and policy hurdles, while a major fuel firm buys AmericanOil to boost its southern market presence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-fuel-sector-expands-palm-oil-biofuel-push-and-americanoil-acquisition ### 2026-07-07: Brazil's ANP to study Gas Release program and infrastructure access after ABPIP request ABPIP seeks ANP meeting to study Brazil's Gas Release program and infrastructure access; ANP plans a public consultation by July and holds a live board meeting on 10 July. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-anp-to-study-gas-release-program-and-thirdparty-infrastructure-access ### 2026-06-29: Brazil approves major financing for Ferbasa charcoal unit and JBS biometane expansion BNDES approves R$ 43.8 m for Ferbasa’s low‑methane charcoal plant in Bahia, creating 97 jobs, while JBS and Amber Energia invest R$ 65 m to boost biometane output at Friboi sites, adding 14 m³ annually and dis‑ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-approves-major-financing-for-ferbasa-charcoal-unit-and-jbs-biometane-expansion ### 2026-06-26: Brazil's ANP releases firms list for October oil and gas auctions ANP cleared firms for October oil and gas auctions and delayed approval of the Shell‑led Gato do Mato field, citing gas‑export concerns. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-anp-releases-firms-list-for-october-oil-and-gas-auctions ### 2026-06-22: Brazil's ANP calls for regulatory autonomy and Gas Release to open natural gas market Brazil’s ANP seeks full regulatory autonomy and launches a public consultation on “Gas Release” to force Petrobras to open the gas market, while Petrobras highlights demand‑price balance for expansion. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-approves-new-park-buffer-zone-and-greenlights-bahia-refinery ### 2026-06-19: Brazil greenlights Bahia refinery license and approves Petrobras $1.2 bn Cubatão biofuel project Brazil approves a new Bahia refinery slated for 2026 and Petrobras commits $1.2 bn to a Cubatão bio‑fuel plant expected by 2030, boosting capacity and clean‑energy output. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-greenlights-bahia-refinery-license-and-approves-petrobras-12-bn-cubato-biofuel-project ### 2026-05-25: Acelen Renewables secures $1.5 bn financing for Brazil SAF and renewable diesel plant Acelen Renewables secured $1.5 bn from an international consortium to build a 1‑billion‑litre SAF and renewable diesel biorefinery in Bahia, Brazil, slated for 2029. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/acelen-renewables-secures-15-bn-financing-for-brazil-saf-and-renewable-diesel-plant ### 2026-05-21: Mubadala‑Backed Acelen Secures $1.5 B to Build Brazil Biofuel Plant Acelen, backed by Mubadala, secured $1.5 bn to build a Bahia bio‑refinery that will produce 1 bn L/yr of SAF and renewable diesel from 2029, using macaúba oil and soybean, with a ten‑bank consortium financing. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mubadalabacked-acelen-secures-15-b-to-build-brazil-biofuel-plant --- Cite as: Brazil biofuel, refinery, gas & ANP actions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/acelen-brazil-saf-financing