The Federal Oilworkers Union (FUP) was among the organisers taking part in the demonstrations, which reportedly attracted as many as 600 people at the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Brasilia.
The groups also held a protest at the office of National Petroleum Agency (ANP) in Rio de Janiero.
"The 11th licence round is a big step backwards for Brazil, which, since 2008 has suspended its oil auctions after a long fight and much pressure from social movements," Joao Antonio Moraes, FUP co-ordinator, said in a union statement.
"In
