Rajan Wilcox
Brazil is the largest oil and gas producer in Latin America, with significant reserves found deep underground off the coast of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. In 2022, Brazil's oil production reached 1.1 billion barrels, with natural gas production at 50.34 billion cubic meters. Brazil's energy consumption in 2021 was comprised of crude oil and other petroleum liquids (44.2%), renewables (37.5%), natural gas (11.6%), coal (5.5%), and nuclear energy (1.3%). Brazil is also the world's second-largest ethanol fuel producer, with ethanol being produced from sugarcane. The country has been described as a bio-energy superpower due to its ethanol fuel production and large sugar cane crop. Brazil's energy sector is characterised by its focus on renewable energy sources, with universal access to electricity and a low carbon intensity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brazil's rank in fossil fuel consumption globally | 7th largest consumer |
| Brazil's rank in fossil fuel consumption in South America | 1st |
| Percentage of Brazil's energy consumption from fossil fuels in 2021 | 57.3% (44.2% crude oil and other petroleum liquids, 11.6% natural gas, 5.5% coal) |
| Percentage of Brazil's energy consumption from fossil fuels in 2020 | 66.6% (one-third oil, one-third biofuels) |
| Brazil's rank in fossil fuel production in Latin America | 1st |
| Brazil's rank in ethanol fuel production globally | 2nd |
| Brazil's share of global energy production in 2021 | 2.0% |
| Brazil's share of South America's energy production in 2021 | 48.8% |
| Brazil's share of global energy consumption in 2021 | 2.0% |
| Brazil's share of South America's energy consumption in 2021 | 53.3% |
| Brazil's share of global natural gas production in 2022 | 1.3% (50.34 billion cubic meters) |
| Brazil's share of global oil production in 2022 | 1.2% (1.1 billion barrels) |
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What You'll Learn
Brazil's fossil fuel consumption
Brazil is the largest oil and gas producer in Latin America and the seventh-largest energy consumer in the world. It holds significant fossil fuel reserves deep underground off the coast of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, with the deepest oil reserves still deemed recoverable. In 2022, oil production in Brazil reached 1.1 billion barrels, while natural gas production was 50.34 billion cubic meters, a new peak. Brazil's energy consumption comprises a mix of sources, with crude oil and other petroleum liquids making up 44.2% in 2021. Another third of its energy comes from biofuels, with the country being the world's second-largest ethanol fuel producer.
Brazil's energy sector has undergone market liberalisation, with the Petroleum Investment Law of 1997 liberalising oil production and increasing the use of natural gas. The state monopoly on oil and gas exploration ended, and energy subsidies were reduced. However, the government retained control of key energy complexes and regulated the prices of certain energy products. Brazil's electricity generation is primarily driven by renewables, with hydro contributing 54.8% and other renewables making up 21.1%.
Brazil has been described as a bio-energy superpower due to its ethanol fuel production from sugar cane. The country has the largest sugar cane crop in the world and is the largest exporter of ethanol. In 1975, the Brazilian government initiated the Pró-Álcool program to phase out automobile fuels derived from fossil fuels in favour of ethanol. This program successfully reduced the number of cars running on gasoline in Brazil by 10 million.
Brazil's energy sector is one of the least carbon-intensive in the world, with almost universal access to electricity. The country is trying to shift away from fossil fuels towards low-carbon sources of energy, such as nuclear and renewables, including hydropower, solar, and wind. Brazil's total energy production grew by an average annual rate of 1.5% from 2011 to 2021, primarily driven by petroleum and other liquids. However, energy consumption increased at a slower pace, with an average annual growth rate of 0.5% during the same period.
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Brazil's fossil fuel production
Brazil is the largest producer of oil and gas in Latin America. The country holds significant reserves deep underground off the coast of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. In 2006, the state-owned multinational company Petrobras began offshore exploration, which has been a boon for the country's oil industry.
Brazil's oil production reached a new high of 1.1 billion barrels in 2022, with more than 90% of the oil being produced offshore. This was accompanied by a natural gas production of 50.34 billion cubic meters, also a new peak. Natural gas is often produced alongside crude oil, and Brazil's oil and gas reserves are primarily found in pre- and post-salt layers, which are geological formations located around underground salt deposits.
Brazil's energy policies compare well with the world's most urgent energy challenges. Renewables meet almost 45% of the country's primary energy demand, showcasing the strength of Brazil's energy sector. However, fossil fuels continue to play a significant role in Brazil's energy mix. For instance, coal is extensively used in power generation and heavy industries due to its availability, low cost, and role in industrial processes such as steelmaking.
The burning of coal contributes significantly to CO2 and other pollutant emissions. To meet net-zero emissions targets, phasing out unabated coal is essential. Nevertheless, Brazil's fossil fuel production, particularly in the oil and gas sector, remains a significant aspect of its economy and energy landscape.
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Brazil's transition to low-carbon energy sources
Brazil is the largest producer of oil and gas in Latin America, with significant reserves found deep underground off the coast of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. In 2022, oil production in Brazil reached 1.1 billion barrels, with natural gas production at 50.34 billion cubic meters. Brazil's energy consumption in 2021 comprised crude oil and other petroleum liquids (44.2%), renewables (37.5%), natural gas (11.6%), coal (5.5%), and nuclear energy (1.3%). Brazil is also the world's second-largest ethanol fuel producer, with ethanol derived from sugar cane.
Brazil's energy sector has been characterised by a shift towards low-carbon energy sources. The country has almost universal access to electricity, making its energy sector one of the least carbon-intensive in the world. In 2020, Brazil derived roughly one-third of its total energy supply from oil and another third from biofuels. Brazil's electricity generation in 2021 was primarily driven by renewables, with hydro contributing 54.8% and other renewables making up 21.1%.
Brazil's government agencies responsible for energy policy, such as the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE), have also played a role in the transition to low-carbon energy sources. The Petroleum Investment Law, adopted in 1997, liberalised oil production and increased the use of natural gas and investment in power generation. Current government policies focus on improving energy efficiency and further increasing the use of renewable energy.
Brazil's energy sector faces challenges, such as restructuring to meet the rising need for fuel and electricity. However, the country's energy mix is becoming increasingly important as it strives to shift away from fossil fuels towards low-carbon sources. Brazil's transition to low-carbon energy sources is crucial for both climate change mitigation and improving human health by reducing exposure to air pollution.
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Brazil's oil exports
Brazil exports 20% of its oil production. In 2016, this amounted to 655,121 barrels per day. In 2023, Brazil's oil exports reached an all-time high of 1,714.936 barrels per day.
Brazil's top export to the United States is crude oil, which is also exported to other countries. In 2024, Brazil exported an average of 1.78 million barrels per day of crude oil globally, with approximately 243,000 barrels per day shipped to the US. In May 2024, the average price of crude oil exported from Brazil was $0.51 per kilogram.
Brazil has proven oil reserves equivalent to 14.9 times its annual consumption levels. This means that, without net exports, there would be about 15 years of oil left (at current consumption levels and excluding unproven reserves).
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Brazil's energy sector
Brazil is the largest oil and gas producer in Latin America, with significant reserves found deep underground off the coast of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The country holds the distinction of having the deepest oil reserves that are still recoverable. Brazil's energy sector is dominated by the state-owned company Petrobras, which has held exclusive rights to oil exploration for over four decades. In 2022, oil production in Brazil reached 1.1 billion barrels, with more than 90% produced offshore. This was accompanied by a new peak in natural gas production, which stood at 50.34 billion cubic meters.
Brazil's energy consumption is derived from a mix of sources, with crude oil and other petroleum liquids constituting 44.2% in 2021. Renewables, including hydropower, accounted for 37.5%, while natural gas and coal contributed 11.6% and 5.5% respectively, and nuclear power made up 1.3%. Brazil's energy production has grown at an average annual rate of 1.5% from 2011 to 2021, primarily driven by petroleum and other liquids. The country is also the world's second-largest ethanol fuel producer, with ethanol derived from sugar cane.
Brazil's electricity generation is predominantly renewable, with hydro contributing 54.8% and other renewables making up 21.1%. Access to electricity is nearly universal, rendering Brazil's energy sector one of the least carbon-intensive globally. The country has also made strides towards reducing its dependence on fossil fuels in the automotive sector through the Pró-Álcool program, which promotes the use of ethanol as a fuel alternative.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2021, Brazil's energy consumption included crude oil and other petroleum liquids (44.2%), natural gas (11.6%), and coal (5.5%). Brazil is the 7th largest energy consumer in the world and the largest in South America, accounting for 2% of global consumption and 53.3% of South America's consumption.
Brazil's largest source of energy is oil, which made up around one-third of its total energy supply in 2020.
Fossil fuels are used for electricity generation, transport, and heating. They can be burned to generate electricity and heat, or refined into fuels for transport.
In 2021, Brazil's electricity generation was primarily driven by renewables, which accounted for 75.9% of the total electricity produced, with hydro contributing 54.8% and other renewables 21.1%.
Brazil has been trying to shift away from fossil fuels towards low-carbon sources of energy, such as nuclear and renewables (including hydropower, solar, and wind). In 1975, the Brazilian government initiated the Pró-Álcool program to phase out fossil fuels for automobile fuels in favor of ethanol.
