The request aims to expand the operational capacity of PPSA — the state-owned company that manages pre-salt oil exploration contracts.

For PPSA to face the challenges of the auctions for the transfer of rights and the sixth pre-salt round, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) sent a letter to the Federal Budget Secretary, George Soares, asking for the release of R$ 50 million , on the eve of a release of resources in the Budget. This Friday, the 20th, Petrobras began the sale of onshore fields at the Tucano Sul Pole, in Bahia.

The request aims to expand the operational capacity of the state-owned PPSA that manages oil exploration contracts in the pre-salt layer and markets the oil that is up to the Union.

The MME uses the mega oil auction to be held in November as an argument and says that, without the new money in the Budget, there will be a “direct impact on public revenues for the Union, States, municipalities and the Federal District”.

In the document, it says that PPSA has to receive BRL 109,85 million from oil auctions already held, but asks for a smaller complement, of BRL 8,8 million, to enable a total transfer of at least BRL 50 million in this year.

According to the ministry, the resources are necessary for the company to carry out its activities "fully" and also mentions the preparation for the auction rounds of oil areas scheduled for 2020 and 2021.

The request was made in the same note that requests BRL 350 million for the Nuclear Industries of Brazil (INB), under penalty of running out of fuel for the Angra 1 and 2 plants, which supply consumers in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

The economic team hopes to hold a mega auction in November for the exploration of surplus areas of the so-called transfer of rights, which were granted to Petrobras in 2010 for the exploration of up to five billion barrels of oil.

As the area has proven to have greater potential, the government is now going to auction this surplus and hopes to raise R$ 106 billion with the signature bonus as long as they offer a minimum participation of the Union in the oil surplus and, at least, 5%.

After the payment by the Union of a debt with Petrobrás for the renegotiation of the 2010 contract, the government will share the resources with States and municipalities, in a sharing already approved by the Senate and which awaits the approval of the Chamber.

With the approval of the MME, the ANP is authorized to publish the auction notice, starting the deadline for companies to express their interest in participating in the round until September 23rd.

On the 12th of this month, the notice for the 6th pre-salt sharing round was announced. A ANP will offer five areas in the Santos Basin pre-salt polygon (Aram, Bumerangue, Cruzeiro do Sul and Sudoeste de Sagitário) and Campos (North of Brava).

Petrobras will be the operator, with at least 30%, of Aram, Southwest of Sagittarius and North of Brava, guaranteeing revenue of R$ 6,15 billion, which could reach R$ 7,85 billion with the contracting of all areas.

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