Shares of Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras (PBR) surged 6.01% in late Friday trading, outperforming the broader energy sector. The Brazilian oil giant's stock rally was fueled by the announcement of its new P-78 floating production, storage, and offloading unit, set to commence operations at the Buzios field by year-end.

During a conference call with analysts, Petrobras executives revealed that the launch of P-78, along with upcoming units such as P-79, is expected to significantly boost the company's production capacity in the medium term. This development signals potential revenue growth and improved operational efficiency for the oil major, sparking investor optimism.

The impressive gains in Petrobras shares occurred against the backdrop of a generally positive day for the energy sector. The NYSE Energy Sector Index climbed 1.7%, while West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices rose 0.7% to $59.82 a barrel. The combination of company-specific news and favorable sector trends contributed to Petrobras' standout performance in the market.