Petrobras reached gains of BRL 342 million between 2021 and 2022 thanks to the implementation of a number of advances in its supply chain management, focused on its operations that involve exploration and production, refining and transport of products and services. The efficiency gains were achieved mainly due to advances in the management of supplies for maintenance, repair and operation of the units run by the company - including production platforms, support vessels, drilling rigs, gas treatment units, among others.

These savings contributed to the results already presented by the company, reflecting a 25% reduction in Petrobras' inventory coverage - as well as a 34% cut back in excess inventory and a 40% cut back in the company's active material codes — both important supply chain management indicators.  Supply management involves the provision of the most diverse types of materials, such as tubes and connections, subsea equipment, turbines, pumps, compressors, and their spare parts required to support the company's operations.

Petrobras has a complex supply chain, with thousands of suppliers and the need for permanent availability of materials for its numerous operations. At the same time, the company's supply management faces the challenge of avoiding material shortages in these units and, at the same time, preventing expenses inherent to any excessive or unexpected inventories. The gains obtained in this area reflect Petrobras' focus on improving management, discipline in capital allocation and cost reduction.

The company's supply management efficiency gains relied on the intensive use of technology. The company improved a computerized system for automatically evaluating purchase orders and requisitions from the units, based on an algorithm to determine whether or not materials were needed. If necessary, they would be acquired. If their need was not clear, orders were analyzed and refined, which would lead to the purchase or complete elimination of the order.

ASCM international recognition

In recognition of the advances in its supply management, Petrobras received, yesterday (20/09), in Chicago, USA the Excellence Award from the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), the leading global organization in the industry.

The company ranked 1st in the “Corporate Transformation” category, which recognizes improvements in supply chain management that leverage business results. The assessment is made by ASCM using the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model.