By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 18 -- Bolivia Oil Minister Andres Soliz has resigned in the wake of a disagreement with Brazil's state-run Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras). Soliz had led efforts to nationalize Bolivia's oil and gas operations.
Soliz resigned Sept. 15, the day after Bolivian Vice-President Alvaro Garcia Linera said Bolivia was suspending a measure that would have exerted majority controlling interest in the operations of international companies working in Bolivia.
On Sept. 13, Soliz had issued the measure, which consequently prompted Petrobras Chief Executive Sergio Gabrielli to cancel a trip to Bolivia.
The measure would have reduced Petrobras's profit margins at two refineries and given Bolivian state-owned energy firm Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales powers to set domestic fuel prices (OGJ Online, Sept. 14, 2006).
