Mature fields for sale in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO�Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) concluded the pre-qualification process to sell 73 mature oil fields. The fields are located in Rio Grande do Norte, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia, and Espirito Santo states. The Petrobras decision was approved by the National Petroleum Agency (ANP).

Fifty-six companies, Brazilian and foreign, were considered technically and financially capable of participating in the tender for future concession contracts in the areas.

Of the 56 companies chosen, 17 were qualified as non-operators, and 11 as non-operators that may become operators in case they prove to the ANP that they have contracted qualified personnel to manage the exploration and production of the oil fields. The names of the companies were not released.

Sixteen companies were granted the right to become operators onshore and 12 will be able to operate onshore and offshore.

Petrobras expects to conclude the sale of the mature fields by the beginning of 2001.