The current rule, requiring all production-sharing contracts to have Petrobras as operator with at least 30% equity, was questioned today by Brazil’s Mines & Energy Minister Eduardo Braga.
"I am in favour of giving Petrobras the right to opt out of participating (in pre-salt contracts)," Braga said at the OTC conference in Houston on Monday.
Brazil has no immediate plans to launch a new licensing round for the pre-salt province, concentrating instead on a new offering of exploration concessions in "non-strategic" areas, showcased at this year’s OTC.
Braga
