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This excerpt taken from the PBR 6-K filed Jul 10, 2009. Clarification on recent news: BM-S-22 Rio de Janeiro, July 10, 2009 – PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S/A - PETROBRAS, responding to Brazilian Securities Exchange Commission written notice - CVM/SEP/GEA-2/n.204/2009, hereby clarifies, certain aspects of articles published in the Brazilian press , titled respectively “Pre-salt well does not bear oil” and “Petrobras securities depreciated after news about dry well.” Block BM-S-22 is located in the Santos Basin and is operated by the Consortium formed by Exxon Mobil (40% - operator), Hess Corporation (40%), and Petrobras (20%). Pursuant to clauses set forth by the Consortium’s agreements (such as the Joint Operation Agreements) and a clause in the concession agreement signed by the Consortium with the National Petroleum Association (ANP), only the operator can announce events, such as well drilling results, to the regulator and to the market at large. The consortium announced to the ANP, through the operator, the results of the second drilling on BMS-22 block. However, as no evidence of hydrocarbons were found, no additional communication to the regulator is required, as determined by legislation, neither to the market at large. Moreover, the company has always stated it cannot comment on blocks that it does not operate. It is also important to stress that oil exploratory activity is a risk business and so there is a chance the well will be dry (that hydrocarbons will not be found in sufficient amounts for commercialization). Therefore a dry well, rather than an extraordinary fact, is a recurring matter in the oil industry. Furthermore, a dry well is by no means conclusive regarding the commerciality of the entire block potential. According to information that has been widely announced by the Company, in the six company-operated oil exploration blocks located in the pre-salt layer in the Santos Basin, a 100% success rate has thus far been achieved, indicating Petrobras’ belief that the occurrence of dry wells is unlikely in this pre-salt area of the Santos Basin, outside of the oil industry’s normal standards. This belief is based on the extensive seismic data program undertaken by the company to date, and on the exploratory wells that have been drilled successfully. With regard to the article about the stock price, it should be recognized that the performance of Petrobras’ stock is linked to a number of factors, such as the performance of the Brazilian and global economies, the exchange rate, the Company’s operating and financial performance.. In addition, as an oil company, the movements in Petrobras’ stock price are highly correlated to oil prices in the international market, and this price has recently been highly volatile. Brent oil prices declined 3.4% on 07/08, with an accumulated of decline 5.9% during the week (from 07/06 to 07/08). During this same period, the Company’s preferred stock fell 0.8% and 3.1%, respectively. It is difficult to single out a single factor or a set of factors that can definitively explain the performance of the Company’s stock traded in stock exchanges in Brazil and abroad.
www.petrobras.com.br/ri/english
This document may contain forecasts that merely reflect the expectations of the Company’s management. Such terms as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “plan”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, along with similar or analogous expressions, are used to identify such forecasts. These predictions evidently involve risks and uncertainties, whether foreseen or not by the Company. Therefore, the future results of operations may differ from current expectations, and readers must not base their expectations exclusively on the information presented herein. SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: July 10, 2009
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates offuture economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. | ||||||||
