Petrobras refineries run at 98% capacity in October, director says

By Rodrigo Viga Gaier

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Brazilian state-run oil firm Petrobras PETR3.SA said its refineries operated at a 98% utilization rate in October, close to the 99% reported in the third quarter, as it seeks to reduce the need for imports, a director of the company said.

The refineries continue to operate near their maximum capacity, while complying with safety standards and without compromising operations or worker safety, the director of industrial processes and products at Petrobras, William Franca, told Reuters in an interview late Thursday.