gasoline

Manguinhos Refinery Fully Released by Court Order, ‍Ending Weeks-Long Dispute

Rio de Janeiro, October 27, 2025 – ⁣A Brazilian court has ordered the‌ full release‍ of the Refit-operated‌ Manguinhos refinery in Rio de Janeiro, overturning a partial ban imposed by the ​national Agency of Petroleum, ⁢Natural⁤ Gas and Biofuels (ANP). The decision, issued today, ends ⁤a weeks-long standoff sparked by allegations of fuel import fraud and operational irregularities.

The dispute ‍began after the Federal Revenue Service launched “Operation Carbon Chain” investigating irregularities in the‍ import ⁣and sale ​of ‍fuels,⁣ oil, ​and derivatives. This ⁣led to ⁤the closure of RefitS entire derivatives production facility. Authorities allege the import scheme facilitated crimes including money laundering, currency ⁢evasion, and tax evasion.

Refit contested the ANP’s actions, arguing the closure ⁣was “extreme, arbitrary and disproportionate,” ⁣and a “transverse bankruptcy” given the ⁢company’s ongoing judicial recovery. ​They maintained they presented two scientific reports proving⁣ the inspected ⁢products ‍were not finished gasoline, and that the‌ ANP ‍announced ⁢the closure while inspections were still underway. ⁢ A key point of contention was the ANP’s claim ​that imported‌ product, ​declared as crude oil, was actually a nearly finished product intended for formulation, not refining.

The company also lodged a criminal complaint against ANP directors Pietro Mendes and Symone Christine de Santana Araújo, alleging the action‌ against ‍manguinhos ⁤occurred without full board knowledge.

The court granted Refit’s request for full release pending a final judgment on an injunction, citing ‍the risk of “irreparable damage or damage that is difficult ⁤to repair.” The judge also ordered an expert assessment ⁢to address operational failures, lack of⁢ authorizations, and ​technical/structural irregularities identified by the ANP, emphasizing the need​ for “documentary and technical proof before‌ resuming production.”

Prior to ⁣today’s full release, the‌ ANP had partially lifted the ban last Saturday ⁤(October 25th), three days after Refit secured a ⁢meeting between it’s technicians and agency specialists. Over⁢ 90 million liters of crude oil and ‍hydrocarbon mixtures had been retained, which Refit argued ⁢were “fungible goods‍ essential to productive activity” whose retention hampered operations and prevented receipt of new⁢ cargo.

The ANP maintains its inspection ‌action followed⁤ all applicable procedures and principles ‍of public administration. The agency stated it was ⁢not informed of the court’s​ decision and​ will onyl comment on the‍ case records.

Refit also‌ has three lawsuits‌ pending against Petrobras,including ⁣one for R$15‌ billion,and Petrobras was initially designated as the depository ⁣for fuel held⁢ at the Manguinhos refinery ‌- a point of⁢ contention raised by Refit.