Petrobras (PBR)

Espadarte, Voador, Marimba – EVM Project

Through the structured project finance of the EVM Project, PETROBRAS sought to acquire underwater equipment and related assets for the production of oil in the Espadarte, Voador, Marimba and seven other smaller fields located in the Campos Basin. The EVM Project involves the SPC EVM Leasing Co. (EVMLC), based on the Cayman Islands. With funds generated by its capital (US$ 123 million) and by financing operations obtained in the financial market (US$ 746 million), EVMLC acquired the project’s assets from and leases these assets back to PETROBRAS. Of a total estimated US$ 991 million, assets equivalent to US$ 857 million had been consolidated in the leasing agreement by December 31, 2004. In 2004, PETROBRAS paid EVMLC US$ 156 million in lease installments, which are payable half-yearly on June 16 and December 16.

Guarantees provided by PETROBRAS within the scope of the project are: (i) pledge on pre-defined volumes of oil and on proceeds arising from the sale of such volumes in guarantee of the payment of lease amounts made by PETROBRAS; (ii) PETROBRAS’ commitment to open a bank account pursuant to Resolution No. 2.644 issued by the Brazilian Central Bank (BACEN) to deposit lease amounts, in case reais may not be translated into dollars; and (iii) pledge on an account in reais to receive deposits related to lease payments, in case reais may not be translated into dollars or in the case of any events that prevent deposits in the account maintained in accordance with BACEN Resolution No. 2.644.