Brazil's government-managed oil multinational Petrobras and government owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) signed on March 26 an agreement that sets the bases for the partnership between the two companies for the Abreu e Lima Refinery, in Northeastern Brazil.

The agreement lays out the terms for the incorporation, including shareholding, set at 60% for Petrobras and 40% for PDVSA. It also defines the terms for the future signing of the Articles of Incorporation and of the Shareholder Agreement. The specific terms of the agreement are protected by a confidentiality agreement.

The Abreu e Lima Refinery will get an investment in the order of US$ 4.05 billion and will be capable of processing 200,000 barrels of oil per day, 50% of which from Brazil (Marlim) and 50% from Venezuela.

The plant is expected to go online in the second half of 2010 and to reach full capacity in 2011. Some 65% of the processed volume will be diesel fuel, the oil derivative that is used the most in Brazil. Cooking gas (LPG), petrochemical naphtha, and coke - solid fuel used in the steel, cement, thermal, and aluminum industries - will also be produced.

According to the agreement Petrobras will also continue with studies on a corporate share of up to 10% in the oil exploration and production project in the Carabobo 1 field, in the Orinoco Range, in Venezuela.

PDVSA will hold no less than a 60% share. The studies will continue until the bidding procedure announced by PDVSA for the remaining 30% share, have been completed.

Mercopress