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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

Commission File Number 001-15106

 

 

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Brazilian Petroleum Corporation—Petrobras

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

The Federative Republic of Brazil

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Avenida República do Chile, 65

20031-912—Rio de Janeiro—RJ—Brazil

(Address of principal executive offices)

Andrea Marques de Almeida

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investor Relations Officer

(55 21) 3224-4477—dfinri@petrobras.com.br

Avenida República do Chile, 65—23rd Floor 20031-912—Rio de Janeiro—RJ—Brazil

(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)

 

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class:

 

Name of each exchange on which registered:

Petrobras Common Shares, without par value*   New York Stock Exchange*

Petrobras American Depositary Shares, or ADSs

(evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs), each representing two Common Shares

  New York Stock Exchange
Petrobras Preferred Shares, without par value*   New York Stock Exchange*

Petrobras American Depositary Shares

(as evidenced by American Depositary Receipts), each representing two Preferred Shares

  New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Global Notes due 2020, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
5.375% Global Notes due 2021, issued by PGF
(successor to PifCo)
  New York Stock Exchange
8.375% Global Notes due 2021, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
6.125% Global Notes due 2022, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
4.375% Global Notes due 2023, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
6.250% Global Notes due 2024, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
5.299% Global Notes due 2025, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
8.750% Global Notes due 2026, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
7.375% Global Notes due 2027, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
5.999% Global Notes due 2028, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
5.750% Global Notes due 2029, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
6.875% Global Notes due 2040, issued by PGF
(successor to PifCo)
  New York Stock Exchange
6.750% Global Notes due 2041, issued by PGF
(successor to PifCo)
  New York Stock Exchange
5.625% Global Notes due 2043, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
7.250% Global Notes due 2044, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
6.900% Global Notes due 2049, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange
6.850% Global Notes due 2115, issued by PGF   New York Stock Exchange

 

*

Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares pursuant to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.


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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None

The number of outstanding shares of each class of stock as of December 31, 2019 was:

7,442,231,382 Petrobras Common Shares, without par value

5,601,969,879 Petrobras Preferred Shares, without par value

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

    Yes  ☐    No  ☑

If this report is an annual or transitional report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

    Yes  ☐    No  ☑

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ☑             Accelerated filer  ☐             Non-accelerated filer  ☐             Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

U.S. GAAP  ☐     International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board  ☑     Other  ☐

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

    Item 17  ☐    Item 18  ☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ☐    No  ☑

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Disclaimer

     1  

Glossary

     3  

ABOUT US

     10  

Selected Financial Data

     11  

Overview

     13  

RISKS

     19  

Risk Factors

     19  

Corporate Risk Management

     33  

Disclosures about Market Risk

     34  

Insurance

     35  

OUR BUSINESS

     38  

Exploration and Production

     38  

Refining, Transportation and Marketing

     58  

Gas and Power

     76  

Portfolio Management

     93  

External Business Environment

     98  

STRATEGIC PLAN

     104  

2020 – 2024 Strategic Plan

     104  

Digital Transformation

     110  

ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE

     114  

Environment

     114  

Social Responsibility

     119  

Governance

     121  

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

     125  

Group Financial Performance

     125  

Segments Financial Performance

     135  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     137  

Other Information

     148  

MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYESS

     150  

Management

     150  

Employees

     168  

Benefits

     171  

COMPLIANCE AND INTERNAL CONTROL

     176  

Controls and Procedures

     179  

Ombudsman and Internal Investigations

     180  

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

     182  

Listing

     182  

Shares and Shareholders

     183  

Dividends

     191  

Additional Information for Foreign Shareholders

     195  

LEGAL AND TAX

     198  

Regulation

     198  

Material Contracts

     203  

Legal Proceedings

     206  

Tax

     212  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     228  

List of Exhibits

     228  

Signatures

     234  

Abbreviations

     235  

Conversion Table

     236  

Cross reference to Form 20-F

     237  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1  

 

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DISCLAIMER

In prior years, we presented our annual report on Form 20-F following the structure and order of disclosure displayed in the SEC Form 20-F. In this annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 (referred to herein as our “annual report”) we made changes in the structure of our annual report in order to present information to investors in a manner more consistent with how we view our business. To guide the reader, a cross reference guide to SEC Form 20-F is presented under “Cross-Reference to Form 20-F” in this annual report.

Unless the context otherwise indicates, please consider this report the annual report of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Petrobras,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras and its consolidated subsidiaries, joint operations and structured entities.

Our audited consolidated financial statements, presented in U.S. dollars, included in this annual report and the financial information contained in this annual report that is derived therefrom are prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), including the effect of the implementation of IFRS 16 Leases, which became effective as of January 1, 2019.

Our functional currency and the functional currency of all of our Brazilian subsidiaries is the Brazilian real and the functional currency of most of our entities that operate outside Brazil, such as Petrobras Global Finance B.V. or PGF, is the U.S. dollar. In this annual report, references to “real,” “reais” or “R$” are to Brazilian reais and references to “U.S. dollars” or “US$” are to United States dollars.

Forward-Looking Statements

This annual report includes forward-looking statements that are not based on historical facts and are not assurances of future results. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report, which address our expected business and financial performance, among other matters, contain words such as “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “likely,” “potential” and similar expressions (which are not the exclusive means of identifying such forward-looking statements).

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. There is no assurance that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur.

We have made forward-looking statements that address, among other things:

 

   

our marketing and expansion strategy;

 

   

our exploration and production activities, including drilling;

 

   

our activities related to refining, import, export, transportation of oil, natural gas and oil products, petrochemicals, power generation, biofuels and other sources of renewable energy;

 

   

our projected and targeted Capital Expenditures, commitments and revenues;

 

   

our liquidity and sources of funding;

 

   

our pricing strategy and development of additional revenue sources; and

 

   

the impact, including cost, of acquisitions anddivestments.

Our forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to assumptions that may prove incorrect and to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Our actual results could differ materially from those expressed or forecast in any forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of assumptions and factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

our ability to obtain financing;

 

   

general economic and business conditions, including crude oil and other commodity prices, refining margins and prevailing exchange rates;

 

   

global economic conditions;

 

   

our ability to find, acquire or gain access to additional reserves and to develop our current reserves successfully;

 

   

uncertainties inherent in making estimates of our oil and gas reserves, including recently discovered oil and gas reserves;

 

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competition;

 

   

technical difficulties in the operation of our equipment and the provision of our services;

 

   

changes in, or failure to comply with, laws or regulations, including with respect to fraudulent activity, corruption and bribery;

 

   

receipt of governmental approvals and licenses;

 

   

international and Brazilian political, economic and social developments;

 

   

natural disasters, accidents, military operations, acts of sabotage, wars or embargoes;

 

   

the cost and availability of adequate insurance coverage;

 

   

our ability to successfully implement asset sales under our portfolio management program;

 

   

the outcome of ongoing corruption investigations and any new facts or information that may arise in relation to the Lava Jato investigation;

 

   

the effectiveness of our risk management policies and procedures, including operational risk; and

 

   

litigation, such as class actions or enforcement or other proceedings brought by governmental and regulatory agencies.

For additional information on factors that could cause our actual results to differ from expectations reflected in forward-looking statements, see “Risks” in this annual report.

All forward-looking statements attributed to us or a person acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason.

The crude oil and natural gas reserve data presented or described in this annual report are only estimates, which involve some degree of uncertainty, and our actual production, revenues and expenditures with respect to our reserves may materially differ from these estimates.

Documents on Display

We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act, and accordingly our reports and other information filed and furnished by us with the SEC may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain further information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also inspect our reports and other information at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, at 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our ADSs are listed. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and at our website at www.petrobras.com.br/ir. The information available on these websites, which might be accessible through a hyperlink resulting from the URLs, is not and shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this annual report. For further information about obtaining copies of our public filings at the NYSE, call (212) 656-5060.

We also furnish reports on Form 6-K to the SEC containing our interim financial statements and other financial information of our company.

We also file audited consolidated financial statements, interim financial information and other periodic reports with the CVM.

 

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GLOSSARY

Glossary of certain terms used in this Annual Report

Unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the meanings shown below:

 

ACL    Free Marketing Environment (Ambiente de Comercialização Livre). Market segment in which the purchase and sale of electric energy are the subject of freely negotiated bilateral agreements, according to specific marketing rules and procedures.
      
ACR    Regulated Marketing Environment (Ambiente de Comercialização Regulado). Market segment in which the purchase and sale of electric power between selling agents and distribution agents, preceded by a bidding process, except for cases provided by law, according to specific marketing rules and procedures.
      
ADR    American Depositary Receipt.
      
ADS    American Depositary Share.
      
Amex Oil    The NYSE Arca Oil Index is a price-weighted index of the leading companies involved in the exploration, production, and development of petroleum. It measures the performance of the oil industry through changes in the sum of the prices of component stocks. The index was developed with a base level of 125 as of August 27, 1984.
      
AMS    Our health care plan (Assistência Multidisciplinar de Saúde).
      
ANP    The Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency), or ANP, is the federal agency that regulates the oil, natural gas and renewable fuels industry in Brazil.
      
API    Standard measure of oil density developed by the American Petroleum Institute.
      
B3    The São Paulo Stock Exchange.
      
BioQav    Fuel produced from several biomass sources in different production processes, also known as “biojet” or “biokerosine” or “SAF” (synthetic aviation fuel) and named by the ANP as “Alternative Jet Fuel”, which must be added to jet fuel up to a maximum limit that varies from 10% to 50% by volume depending on the production process, as defined in ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) Annex D-7566 and ANP Resolution 778/2019.
      
Biofuel    Any fuel that is derived from biomass (plant, algae material or animal waste). It is produced through biological processes, such as agriculture and anaerobic digestion and it is considered renewable energy. Biodiesel and ethanol can be used as a fuel for vehicles, pure or added to diesel or gasoline to reduce the levels of carbon. Biodiesel is produced from oils or fats using a transesterification process, and ethanol is made by fermentation mostly from carbohydrates produced in sugar or starch crops such as corn, sugarcane or sweet sorghum.
      
Barrels    Standard measure of crude oil volume.
      
BNDES    Brazilian Development Bank (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social).
      
Braskem    Braskem S.A.
      
Brazilian Treasury    The National Treasury is a Federal Government Secretariat, responsible for managing the financial resources that enter in the public safes. The mission of the National Treasury is managing the public accounts in an efficient and transparent way, ensuring a balanced fiscal policy and the quality of public expenditure, in order to contribute to the sustainable economic development.
      
Brent Crude Oil    A major trading classification of light crude oil that serves as a major benchmark price for commercialization of crude oil worldwide.
      
CADE    Administrative Council for Economic Defense
      
Câmara de Arbitragem do Mercado    An arbitration chamber governed and maintained by B3.
      

 

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Capital Expenditures or “CAPEX”    Capital expenditures, or CAPEX, based on the cost assumptions and financial methodology adopted in our strategic plans, which includes acquisition of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, investment in investees and other items that do not necessarily qualify as cash flows used in investing activities, comprising geological and geophysical expenses, research and development expenses, pre-operating charges, purchase of property, plant and equipment on credit and borrowing costs directly attributable to works in progress.
      
CDS    Credit Default Swap.
      
CEO    Chief Executive Officer.
      
CFO    Chief Financial Officer.
      
Central Bank of Brazil    The Banco Central do Brasil.
      
Central Depositária    The Central Depositária de Ativos e de Registro de Operações do Mercado, which serves as the custodian of our common and preferred shares (including those represented by ADSs) on behalf of our shareholders.
      
CGU    The Controladoria Geral da União (General Federal Inspector’s Office), or CGU, is an advisory body of the Brazilian Presidency responsible for assisting in matters related to the protection of federal public property (patrimônio público) and the improvement of transparency in the Brazilian executive branch, through internal control activities, public audits, and the prevention and combat of corruption, among others.
      
CMN    The Conselho Monetário Nacional (National Monetary Council), or CMN, is the highest authority of the Brazilian financial system, responsible for the formulation of the Brazilian currency, exchange and credit policy, and for the supervision of financial institutions.
      
CNODC    CNODC Brasil Petróleo e Gás Ltda.
      
CNOOC    CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda.
      
Condensate    Hydrocarbons that are in the gaseous phase at reservoir conditions but condense into liquid as they travel up the wellbore and reach separator conditions.
      
COMPERJ    The Complexo Petroquímico do Rio de Janeiro – COMPERJ (Petrochemical Complex of Rio de Janeiro).
      
CONAMA    The Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (National Council for the Environment in Brazil).
      
CNPE    The Conselho Nacional de Política Energética (National Energy Policy Council), or CNPE, is an advisory body of the President of the Republic assisting in the formulation of energy policies and guidelines.
      
CVM    The Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission), or CVM.
      
D&M    DeGolyer and MacNaughton.
      
Deepwater    Between 300 and 1,500 meters (984 and 4,921 feet) deep.
      
Depositary    JPMorgan.
      
Development Ratio    Measures the relation between proved developed reserves and total proved reserves.
      
Distillation    The process by which liquids are separated or refined by vaporization followed by condensation.
      
DoJ    The U.S. Department of Justice.
      
E&P    Exploration & Production is our business segment that covers the activities of exploration, development and production of crude oil, NGL and natural gas in Brazil and abroad.
      
Eletrobras    Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S.A. – Eletrobras.
      
EMBI+    Emerging Markets Bond Index Plus.
      
Exchange Act    Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
      
EWT    Extended well test.
      
Fitch    Fitch Ratings Inc., a credit rating agency.
      
Focus Survey    The Central Bank of Brazil carries out the Focus Survey compiling forecasts of about 140 banks, asset managers and others institutions.
      

 

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FPSO    Floating production, storage and offloading unit.
      
Gaspetro    Petrobras Gás S.A.
      
GSA    Long-term Gas Supply Agreement entered into with the Bolivian state-owned company Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales Bolivianos.
      
GTB    Gás Transboliviano S.A.
      
HCC or Hydrocracking    Conversion of heavier intermediate streams into the middle distillates boiling range (kerosene and diesel) in the presence of specific catalyst, hydrogen and severe conditions of temperature and pressure to produce high quality fuels. Depending on feedstock quality and operational conditions it is possible to direct production towards high quality lubes as well.
      
HDT or Hydrotreating    Process widely used in oil refining industry to remove heteroatoms such as sulfur and nitrogen from gasoline, kerosene and/or diesel in the presence of specific catalysts, hydrogen and adequate conditions of temperature and pressure. The aim is to adjust composition to comply with fuels specifications.
      
HSE    Health, Safety and Environmental.
      
IASB    International Accounting Standards Board.
      
IBAMA    The Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources).
      
Ibovespa or IBOV    The gross total return index weighted by free float market cap and comprised of the most liquid stocks traded on the B3. It has been divided ten times by a factor of ten since Jan 1, 1985.
      
Inovar-Auto    This was a government program that proposed automotive industry to invest in research and development of more efficient and safe vehicles in exchange for tax benefits.
      
IMO    International Maritime Organization.
      
IOF    Imposto sobre Operações Financeiras (Brazilian taxes over financial transactions).
      
IPCA    The Índice Nacional de Preços ao Consumidor Amplo (National Consumer Price Index).
      
JPMorgan    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
      
Lava Jato    Operação Lava Jato, as detailed in “Risks Factors” and “Legal and Tax – Legal Proceedings – Lava Jato Investigation” in this annual report.
      
LIBOR    The London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) is a benchmark interest rate at which major global banks lend to one another in the international interbank market for short-term loans.
      
LNG    Liquefied natural gas.
      
LPG    Liquefied petroleum gas, which is a mixture of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, with up to five carbon atoms, used as domestic fuel.
      
MME    The Ministério de Minas e Energia (Ministry of Mines and Energy) of Brazil.
      
Moody’s    Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a credit rating agency.
      
ME    The Ministério da Economia of Brazil (Ministry of Economy, former MPDM – Ministério do Planejamento, Desenvolvimento e Gestão).
      
Natural Gasoline (C5+)    Natural Gasoline C5+ is a NGL produced at natural gas processing plants with a vapor pressure intermediate between condensate and LPG, that may compose a gasoline blend.
      
Nelson complexity index (NCI)    It is a pure cost index that provides a relative measure of the construction costs of a particular refinery based on its crude and upgrading capacity. The NCI compares the costs of various upgrading units to the cost of a pure crude distillation unit, where more complex refineries are able to produce lighter, more heavily refined and valuable products from a barrel of oil. While the complexity factor is independent of the refinery capacity, multiple units of the same process, like multiple hydro treaters or coking units, for example, do increase complexity.
      
NGL    The liquid resulting from the processing of natural gas and containing the heavier gaseous hydrocarbons.
      
NYSE    The New York Stock Exchange.
      
Oil    Crude oil, including NGLs and condensates.
      
Oil Products    Produced through processing at refineries such as diesel, gasoline, liquid fuel, LPG and other products.
      
ONS    The Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico (National Electric System Operator) of Brazil.
      

 

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OPEC    Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
      
Operating income (loss)    The line equivalent to Net income (loss) before finance income (expense), results in equity-accounted investments and income taxes in our audited consolidated financial statements.
      
Organic Reserves Replacement Ratio or Organic RRR    Measures the amount of proved reserves added to a company’s reserve base during the year, excluding disposals and acquisitons of proved reserves, relative to the amount of oil and gas produced.
      
OSRL    The Oil Spill Response Limited.
      
OTC    Offshore Technology Conference
      
Petrochemicals    Chemicals obtained in petrochemical industries such as ethane, propene, benzene, xylenes, polypropylene, polyethylene and others.
      
Petros    Fundação Petros de Seguridade Social, Petrobras’ employee pension fund.
      
Petros 2    Petrobras’ sponsored pension plan.
      
PFLOPS    One PFLOPS equals the processing capacity of a quadrillion mathematical operations per second.
      
PGF    Petrobras Global Finance B.V.
      
PifCo    Petrobras International Finance Company S.A.
      
PLSV    Pipe laying support vessel.
      
Post-salt reservoir    A geological formation containing oil or natural gas deposits located above a salt layer.
      
PP&E    Property, plant and equipment.
      
PPSA    Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A.
      
Pre-salt Polygon    Underground region formed by a vertical prism of undetermined depth, with a polygonal surface defined by the geographic coordinates of its vertices established by Law No. 12,351/2010, as well as other regions that may be delimited by the Brazilian Federal Government, according to the evolution of geological knowledge.
      
Pre-salt reservoir    A geological formation containing oil or natural gas deposits located beneath a salt layer.
      
Proved reserves    Consistent with the definitions in Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-X, proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible – from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations. Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price is the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price during the twelve- month period prior to December 31, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or we must be reasonably certain that we will commence the project within a reasonable time. Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (such as fluid injection) are included in the “proved” classification when successful testing by a pilot project, or the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, provides support for the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based.
      
Proved developed reserves    Reserves that can be expected to be recovered: (i) through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or for which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and (ii) through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserve estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.
      

 

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Proved undeveloped reserves    Reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required. Reserves on undrilled acreage are limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances. Undrilled locations are classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances justify a longer time. Proved undeveloped reserves do not include reserves attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.
      
PTAX    The reference exchange rate for the purchase and sale of U.S. dollars in Brazil, as published by the Central Bank of Brazil.
      
PwC    PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores Independentes.
      
R&D    Research and development.
      
RNEST    The Refinaria Abreu e Lima (Abreu e Lima Refinery).
      
Refining    Refining, Transportation and Marketing is our business segment that covers the activities of refining, logistics, transport and trading of crude oil and oil products in Brazil and abroad, exports of ethanol, petrochemical operations, such as extraction and processing of shale, as well as holding interests in petrochemical companies in Brazil.
      
Reserves Replacement Ratio or RRR    Measures the amount of proved reserves added to a company’s reserve base during the year relative to the amount of oil and gas produced.
      
Reserves to production ratio or R/P    Calculated as the amount of proved reserves of the year relative to the amount of oil and gas produced during the year, indicates a number of years reserves would last if production remains constant.
      
S&P    Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a credit rating agency.
      
SDNY    The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
      
SEC    The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
      
SELIC    The Central Bank of Brazil base interest rate.
      
Sete Brasil    Sete Brasil Participações, S.A.
      
Shell    Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltda.
      
Synthetic oil and synthetic gas    A mixture of hydrocarbons derived by upgrading (i.e., chemically altering) natural bitumen from oil sands, kerogen from oil shales, or processing of other substances such as natural gas or coal. Synthetic oil may contain sulfur or other non-hydrocarbon compounds and has many similarities to crude oil.
      
SPE    Society of Petroleum Engineers.
      
TAG    Transportadora Associada de Gás S.A.
      
TCU    The Tribunal de Contas da União (Federal Auditor’s Office), or TCU, is a constitutionally established body linked to the Brazilian Congress, responsible for assisting it in matters related to the supervision of the Brazilian Federal Government and its resources with respect to accounting, finance, budget, operational and public property (patrimônio público) matters.
      
TBG    Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolívia-Brasil S.A. (TBG).
      
TJLP    The long-term interest rate target (Taxa de Juros de Longo Prazo or TJLP) is set quarterly by the National Monetary Council. The rate is used as the benchmark rate for loans from the BNDES to companies.
      
Total    Total E&P do Brasil Ltda.
      

 

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Transfer of Rights Agreement    An agreement under which the Brazilian Federal Government assigned to us the right to explore and produce up to five billion barrels of oil equivalent “bnboe”) in specified pre-salt areas in Brazil. See “Material Contracts” in this annual report.
      
Transpetro    Petrobras Transporte S.A.
      
Ultra-deepwater    Over 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) deep.
      
UPGN    Natural-gas processing Units (Unidade de Processamento de Gás Natural, in Portuguese). A natural gas processing plant is a facility designed to process raw natural gas from the offshore production fields by separating impurities and various non-methane hydrocarbons and fluids through different technologies to produce specified natural gas for final consumption. Through the process a gas processing plant can also recover natural gas liquids (condensate, natural gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas) with higher added value.
      
YPFB    Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales Bolivianos.
      

 

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LOGO

 

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ABOUT US

We are a Brazilian company with over 57,000 employees committed to generate more value for our shareholders and the society. We are the largest company in market capitalization in Latin America, with a market capitalization of US$101.1 billion as of December 31, 2019. We are one of the largest producers of oil and gas in the world, primarily engaged in exploration and production, refining, energy generation and trading. We have acquired expertise on deep and ultra-deepwater exploration and production as a result of almost 50 years spent developing the Brazilian offshore basins, becoming world leaders in this segment.

Datasheet

Name of the company: Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Date of Incorporation: 1953

Country of Incorporation: Brazil

Registration number at the CVM: 951-2

Central Index Key (or “CIK”) at the SEC: 0001119639

Address of principal executive office: Avenida República do Chile 65, 20031-912, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Telephone number: (55 21) 3224 4477

Corporate and investor relations websites: www.petrobras.com.br and www.petrobras.com.br/ir.

The information on these websites, which might be accessible through a hyperlink resulting from both URL, is not and shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this annual report.

Corporate purpose established in our Bylaws: research, prospecting, extraction, processing, trading and transportation of crude oil from wells, shale and other rocks, its products, natural gas and other fluid hydrocarbons, in addition to other energy-related activities, and the research, development, production, transportation, distribution, sale and trading concerning all forms of energy, as well as other related activities or similar purposes.

 

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Selected Financial Data

The information below should be read jointly with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in this annual report.

Statement of financial position

 

     As of December 31,                          
     2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
                 (in US$ million)              

Assets

          

Cash and cash equivalents

     7,372       13,899       22,519       21,205       25,058  

Marketable securities

     888       1,083       1,885       784       780  

Trade and other receivables, net

     3,762       5,746       4,972       4,769       5,554  

Inventories

     8,189       8,987       8,489       8,475       7,441  

Assets classified as held for sale

     2,564       1,946       5,318       5,728       152  

Other current assets

     5,037       5,401       3,948       3,808       4,194  

Long-term receivables

     17,691       22,059       21,450       20,420       19,426  

Investments

     5,499       2,759       3,795       3,052       3,527  

Property, plant and equipment

     159,265       157,383       176,650       175,470       161,297  

Intangible assets

     19,473       2,805       2,340       3,272       3,092  
          

Total assets

     229,740       222,068       251,366       246,983       230,521  
          
Liabilities and equity                               

Total current liabilities

     28,816       25,051       24,948       24,903       28,573  

Non-current liabilities(1)

     67,918       43,334       42,871       36,159       24,411  

Non-current finance debt(2)

     58,791       80,508       102,045       108,371       111,482  
          

Total liabilities

     155,525       148,893       169,864       169,433       164,466  
          
Equity                               

Share capital (net of share issuance costs)

     107,101       107,101       107,101       107,101       107,101  

Reserves and other comprehensive income (deficit)(3)

     (33,778     (35,557     (27,299     (30,322     (41,865

Equity attributable to our shareholders

     73,323       71,544       79,802       76,779       65,236  

Non-controlling interests

     892       1,631       1,700       771       819  
          

Total equity

     74,215       73,175       81,502       77,550       66,055  
          

Total liabilities and equity

     229,740       222,068       251,366       246,983       230,521  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Excludes non-current finance debt.

(2)

Excludes current portion of long-term finance debt.

(3)

Capital transactions, profit reserves and accumulated other comprehensive income (deficit).

 

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Statement of income and other information

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,                    
     2019(1)     2018(2)     2017(3)     2016(4)     2015(5)(10)  
                 (in US$ million)              
          

Sales revenues

     76,589       84,638       77,884       72,426       97,314  

Operating income (loss)

     20,614       16,788       10,553       4,303       (1,130

Net income (loss) attributable to our shareholders

     10,151       7,173       (91     (4,838     (8,450

From continuing operations

     7,660       6,572       (347     (4,780      

From discontinued operations

     2,491       601       256       (58      

Weighted average number of shares outstanding(6):

 

       

Common

     7,442,231,382 (7)      7,442,231,382 (7)      7,442,231,382 (8)      7,442,231,382 (8)      7,442,231,382 (8) 

Preferred

     5,601,969,879 (7)      5,601,969,879 (7)      5,601,980,132 (8)      5,601,980,132 (8)      5,601,980,132 (8) 

Operating income (loss) per:

          

Common and preferred shares

     1.58       1.29       0.81       0.33       (0.09

Common and preferred ADS(6)

     3.16       2.58       1.62       0.66       (0.18

Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per:

          

Common and preferred shares

     0.78       0.55       (0.01     (0.37     (0.65

From continuing operations

     0.59       0.50       (0.03     (0.36      

From discontinued operations

     0.19       0.05       0.02       (0.01      

Common and preferred ADS(6)

     1.56       1.10       (0.02     (0.74     (1.30

From continuing operations

     1.18       1.00       (0.06     (0.72      

From discontinued operations

     0.38       0.10       0.04       (0.02      

Cash dividends per(9)

          

Common shares

     0.19       0.07                    

Preferred shares

     0.23       0.24                    

Common ADS(6)

     0.38       0.14                    

Preferred ADS(6)

     0.46       0.48                    

 

(1)

In July 2019, we closed the transaction under which we sold a further portion of our interest in BR Distribuidora. After the closing of this transaction, we are no longer the controlling shareholder of BR Distribuidora and, since August 2019, we have been reflecting BR Distribuidora’s results as an equity-accounted investment. Thus, from January to July 2019, we presented our post-tax profit of BR Distribuidora as Net income from discontinued operations in our consolidated statement of income, in accordance with IFRS 5, since it represented a separate major line of business. The statements of income for 2018, 2017 and 2016 were revised accordingly to reflect this classification. In 2019, we recognized impairment losses of US$2,848 million.

(2)

In 2018, we recognized the effects of the settlement of open matters with the DoJ and the SEC investigation, in the amount of US$853 million. We also recognized impairment losses of US$2,005 million.

(3)

In 2017, we recognized US$3,449 million as other income and expenses, due to the provision for legal proceedings relating to the agreement to settle our consolidated class action lawsuit before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. We also recognized impairment losses of US$1,191 million.

(4)

In 2016, we recognized impairment losses of US$6,193 million.

(5)

In 2015, we recognized impairment losses of US$12,299 million.

(6)

The ratio of ADR to our common and preferred shares is two shares to one ADR.

(7)

The total number of shares does not include 295,669 shares in treasury, of which 222,760 are common shares and 72,909 are preferred shares.

(8)

The total number of shares does not include 285,416 shares in treasury, of which 222,760 are common shares and 62,656 are preferred shares.

(9)

Pre-tax interest on capital and/or dividends proposed for the periods. Amounts were based on the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the approval by our Board of Directors, except for minimum mandatory dividends, which is based on the closing exchange rate on the date that our audited consolidated financial statements were released.

(10)

Our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 were not retrospectively revised to reflect our sale of BR Distribuidora as a discontinued operation.

 

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Overview

 

LOGO

We have a large base of proved reserves and operate and produce most of Brazil’s oil and gas. Most of our proved reserves are world-class assets located in the adjacent offshore Campos and Santos Basins in southeast Brazil. Their proximity allows us to optimize our infrastructure and limit our costs of exploration, development and production. Additionally, we have developed technical knowledge in deepwater exploration and production from almost 50 years of developing Brazil’s offshore basins, including the Campos and Santos Basins. The Campos and Santos Basins are expected to remain the main source of our future growth in proved reserves and oil and gas production.

Our business, however, goes beyond the oil and gas exploration and production. It entails a long process through which we get the oil and gas to our refineries which themselves must be equipped and in constant evolution to supply the best products.

We operate most of the refining capacity in Brazil. Our refining capacity is substantially concentrated in southeast Brazil, within the country’s most populated and industrialized markets and adjacent to the sources of most of our crude oil in the Campos and Santos Basins. We meet our demand for oil products through a planned combination of domestic refining of crude oil and oil products imports, seeking value creation. We are also involved in the production of petrochemicals through stakes in some companies. We distribute oil products through wholesalers and retailers.

 

 

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We also participate in the Brazilian natural gas market, including the logistics, distribution and processing of natural gas.

To meet domestic demand, we process natural gas derived from our onshore and offshore production (mainly from fields in the Campos, Espírito Santo and Santos Basins), import natural gas from Bolivia and import liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) through our regasification terminals. We also participate in the domestic power market primarily through our investments in gas-fired, fuel oil and diesel oil thermoelectric power plants and in renewable energy.

As a result of the divestments we concluded in 2019 and our portfolio review done as part of our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, we reassessed the presentation of our business into certain segments. Our distribution and biofuels activities are no longer considered separate segments. We currently classify these activities as “Corporate and Other Businesses.” Accordingly, we currently divide our business into three main segments:

 

 

Exploration and Production (“E&P”): this segment covers the activities of exploration, development and production of crude oil, Natutal Gas Liquids (“NGL”) and natural gas in Brazil and abroad, for the primary purpose of supplying our domestic refineries. The E&P segment also operates through partnerships with other companies, including holding interests in non-Brazilian companies in this segment;

 

 

Refining, Transportation and Marketing (“Refining”): this segment covers the activities of refining, logistics, transport, marketing and trading of crude oil and oil products in Brazil and abroad, exports of ethanol, petrochemical operations, such as extraction and processing of shale, as well as holding interests in petrochemical companies in Brazil; and

 

 

Gas and Power (“G&P”): this segment covers the activities of logistics and trading of natural gas and electricity, transportation and trading of LNG, generation of electricity by means of thermoelectric power plants, as well as holding interests in transportation and distribution companies of natural gas in Brazil and abroad. It also includes natural gas processing and fertilizer operations.

Furthermore, our “Corporate and Other Businesses” classification includes the activities that are not attributed to the business segments, notably those related to corporate financial management, corporate overhead and other expenses, provision for the class action settlement, and actuarial expenses related to the pension and medical benefits for retired employees and their dependents. It also comprises biofuels and distribution businesses. The biofuels business covers the activities of production of biodiesel and its co-products and ethanol. The distribution business covers the equity interest in the associate BR Distribuidora and the business for the distribution of oil products abroad (in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia and Uruguay).

For further information regarding our business segments, see Notes 12 and 31 to our audited consolidated financial statements, as well as “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in this annual report.

In accordance with our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, we have reduced our activities to eight countries outside Brazil (i.e., Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Uruguay, the U.S., Netherlands, United Kingdom and Singapore). In Latin America, our operations include exploration and production, marketing and retail services, including natural gas. In North America, we produce oil and gas through a joint venture. Until April 2019, we had refining operations in the United States. We have controlled companies in London, Rotterdam, Houston and Singapore that support our trade and financial activities. They constitute a complete and active trading desk for markets worldwide, and are in charge of market intelligence and marketing of oil, oil products, natural gas, commodity derivatives and shipping.

We operate through 20 direct subsidiaries (18 incorporated under the laws of Brazil and two incorporated abroad) and two direct joint operations as listed below. We also have indirect subsidiaries, including Petrobras Global Finance B.V. (“PGF“).

 

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Companies

  

Location

   Our
shareholding
   

Other shareholders

Petrobras Transporte S.A. – Transpetro

   Brazil      100  

Petrobras Logística de Exploração e  Produção S.A. – PB-LOG

   Brazil      100  

Petrobras Gás S.A. – Gaspetro

   Brazil      51   Mitsui Gás e Energia do Brasil Ltda (49%)

Petrobras Biocombustível S.A.

   Brazil      100  

Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolívia-Brasil S.A. – TBG

   Brazil      51   BBPP Holdings Ltda. (29%)
YPFB Transporte S.A. (12%)
GTB-TBG Holdings S.À.R.L. (8%)

Liquigás Distribuidora S.A.

   Brazil      100  

Araucária Nitrogenados S.A.

   Brazil      100  

Termomacaé S.A.

   Brazil      100  

Breitener Energética S.A.

   Brazil      94  

Alcântara, Mendes & Cia Ltda (1%)

Arcadis Logos Energia S.A. (1%)
Orteng Equipamentos e Sistemas Ltda (1%)
GGR Participações S.A. (3%)

Termobahia S.A.

   Brazil      99   Petros (1%)

Baixada Santista Energia S.A.

   Brazil      100  

Petrobras Comercializadora de Energia S.A. – PBEN

   Brazil      100  

Fundo de Investimento Imobiliário RB Logística – FII

   Brazil      99   Pentágono SA DTVM (1%)

Petrobras Negócios Eletrônicos S.A. – E-Petro

   Brazil      100  

Termomacaé Comercializadora de Energia S.A.

   Brazil      100  

5283 Participações S.A.

   Brazil      100  

Fábrica Carioca de Catalisadores S.A. – FCC(1)

   Brazil      50   Albemarle Brazil Holding Ltda. (50%)

Ibiritermo S.A.(1)

   Brazil      50   Edison S.p.A (50%)

Petrobras International Braspetro – PIB BV

   Abroad      100  

Braspetro Oil Services Company – Brasoil

   Abroad      100  

 

(1)

Joint operations.

For a complete list of our subsidiaries and joint operations, including each of their full names, jurisdictions of incorporation and our percentage of equity interest, see Exhibit 8.1 to this annual report.

 

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LOGO

 

 

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LOGO

 

 

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LOGO

 

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RISKS

The nature of our operations exposes us to a number of business risks that could, individually or together, have an effect on our financial performance. We classify the risks to which we are exposed in the following groups: (i) strategic risks, (ii) operational risks, (iii) financial risks, (iv) compliance, legal and regulatory risks, and (v) business risks. We also describe herein the risks arising from the government ownership and country risks, as well as debt and equity securities risks.

LOGO

Risk Factors

Strategic Risks

We are exposed to health, environment and safety risks in our operations, which may lead to accidents, significant losses, administrative proceedings and legal liabilities.

Some of our main activities present risks capable of leading to accidents, such as oil spills, product leaks, fires and explosions. In particular, deepwater, ultra-deepwater and refining activities present various risks, such as oil spills and explosions in our refineries and exploration and production units, including platforms, ships, pipelines, terminals and dams, among other assets owned or operated by us. These events may occur due to technical failures, human errors or natural events, among other factors. The occurrence of one of these events, or other related incidents, may result in various damages such as death, serious environmental damage and related expenses (including, for example, cleaning and repairing expenses). These events may have an impact on the health of our workforce or on communities, and may cause environmental or property damage, loss of production, financial losses and, in certain circumstances, liability in civil, labor, criminal, environmental and administrative lawsuits. As a consequence, we may incur expenses to repair or remediate the damages caused.

Since 2016, we suffered a significant increase in acts of intentional interference by third parties in our pipelines, including illegal taps (thefts) of oil, gas and oil products, especially in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. If this interference continues, we may experience short-term or long-term accidents, leaks or damage in our facilities as a result, which can impact the continuation of our operations. In addition, we may be compelled to indemnify for any damages caused to the environment or to third parties because of these incidents.

 

 

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In addition, public health epidemics such as the outbreak of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) could cause health restrictions to our workforce and, therefore, impact the operation of some of our facilities, including our platforms, refineries, terminals, among others. This condition could have a negative impact on our results and financial condition. Finally, we may face difficulties in obtaining or maintaining operating licenses and may suffer damages to our reputation.

We may incur losses and spend time and financial resources defending pending litigations and arbitrations.

We are currently party to numerous legal and administrative proceedings relating to civil, administrative, tax, labor, environmental and corporate claims filed against us. These claims involve substantial amounts of money and other remedies, and the aggregate cost of unfavorable decisions could have a material adverse effect on our results and financial condition. These claims include the following: (i) indemnity actions (claiming material damages and loss of profits) brought by ethanol plants in several locations against the Brazilian federal government and us, as a result of diesel and gasoline prices in effect until 2016, and (ii) claims that seek to nullify divestments of assets and subsidiaries.

We may be frequently affected by changes in rules and regulation.

In addition, changes in rules and regulations applicable to us may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results.

Depending on the outcome, litigation can result in restrictions on our operations and have a material adverse effect on some of our businesses.

The selection and development of our investment projects involve risks that may affect our originally expected results.

We have numerous project opportunities in our portfolio of investments. Since most projects are characterized by a long development period, we may face changes in market conditions, such as changes in prices, consumer preferences and demand profile, exchange and interest rates and financing conditions of projects that may jeopardize our expected rate of return on these projects.

In addition, we face specific risks for oil and gas projects. Despite our experience in the exploration and production of oil in deepwater and ultra-deepwater and the continuous development of studies during the planning stages, the quantity and quality of oil produced in a certain field will only be fully known in the phases of deployment and operation, which may require adjustments throughout the project life cycle and expected rate of return on these projects.

Our partnerships and divestments depend on external factors that could impact their successful implementation.

Pursuant to our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, we expect to divest a significant number of assets in the coming years. External factors, such as the sustained decline in oil prices, injunctions and claims by third parties or public authorities in judicial, arbitral or administrative proceedings, exchange rate fluctuations, the deterioration of Brazilian and global economic conditions, the Brazilian political scenario and judicial decisions, among other factors, may reduce, delay or hinder sale opportunities for our assets or affect the price at which we can sell our assets.

If we are unable to successfully implement our planned partnerships and divestments, this may negatively impact our business, results and financial condition, including by potentially exposing us to short and medium-term liquidity constraints. In addition, the sale of assets may result in a decrease in our cash flows, which could negatively impact our long-term operating growth prospects and consequently our results in the medium and long-term.

Changes in the competitive environment of the Brazilian oil and gas market may intensify the requirements for our performance levels to remain in line with the best companies in the sector. The need to adapt to an increasingly competitive and more complex environment may compromise our ability to implement our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.

We may face greater competitive forces in the downstream segment in Brazil, with the emergence of new companies competing against us in this sector. If we are unable to maximize return on capital employed, reduce costs, sell our products competitively, and implement new technologies in our business, we may encounter adverse effects on our results and operations.

Additionally, in the upstream segment, we may not be successful in acquiring exploration blocks in future bidding rounds if our competitors are able to bid based on better cost and capital structures than us. In that case, we may therefore have difficulty in repositioning our portfolio towards upstream assets that offer higher profitability and competitive advantage, especially in the pre-salt layer, which could negatively affect our results.

In addition, changes in the regulatory framework and inquiries regarding compliance with antitrust and competition laws may subject us to business restrictions and penalties, adversely affecting our operations, results and reputation.

 

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Failures in our information technology systems, information security (cybersecurity) systems and telecommunications systems and services can adversely impact our operations and reputation.

Our operations are highly dependent on information technology and communications systems and services. Interruption or malfunction affecting these systems and/ or their infrastructure, as a result of obsolescence, technical failures and/or deliberate acts, may harm or halt our business and adversely impact our operations and reputation.

Moreover, cybersecurity and information security failures, including automation systems, either due to external acts, deliberate or unintentional, such as malware, hacking and cyberterrorism, or internal ones, such as negligence and misuse from employees or contractors, may also cause impacts on our business, our reputation, our relationship with stakeholders and external agents (government, regulatory bodies, partners, suppliers and others), our strategic positioning towards our competitors and our results. According to Law No. 13,709/2018 – Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais (“LGPD”), we will be subject to penalties in cases of disclosure or misuse of personal information, when the law comes into effect in August 2020.

Operational Risks

We are not insured against business interruption for our Brazilian operations, and most of our assets are not insured against war or sabotage.

We generally do not maintain insurance coverage for business interruptions of any nature for our Brazilian operations, including business interruptions caused by labor disputes. If, for instance, our workers or those of our key third-party suppliers, vendors and service providers were to strike, the resulting work stoppages could have an adverse effect on us. In addition, we do not insure most of our assets against war or sabotage. Therefore, an attack or an incident causing an interruption of our operations could have a material adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

Additionally, our insurance policies do not cover all types of risks and liabilities related to safety, environment, health, government fees, fines or punitive damages, which may impact our results. There can be no guarantee that incidents will not occur in the future, that there will be insurance to cover the damages or that we will not be held responsible for these events, all of which may negatively impact our results.

Strikes, work stoppages or labor unrest by our employees or by the employees of our suppliers or contractors could adversely affect our results and our business.

Disagreements on how we manage our business, in particular divestments and their implications for our personnel, changes in our strategy, human resources policies regarding remuneration, benefits and headcount, employee contributions to cover the deficit of our pension plan Petros, implementation of regulations recently created relating to health and pension plans and changes in labor law may lead to judicial inquiries, labor unrest, strikes and stoppages.

Strikes, work stoppages or other forms of labor unrest at any of our facilities or in major suppliers, contractors or their facilities or in sectors of society that affect our business could impair our ability to complete major projects and impact our ability to continue our operations and achieve our long-term objectives.

Our success also depends on our ability to continue to train and qualify our personnel so they can assume qualified senior positions in the future. We cannot assure you that we will be effective in training and qualifying our workforce sufficiently, nor that we will be able to achieve this goal without incurring additional costs. Any such failure could adversely affect our results and our business.

We rely on suppliers of goods and services for the operation and execution of our projects and, as a result, we may be adversely affected by failures or delays of such suppliers.

We are susceptible to the risks of performance and product quality within our supply chain. If our suppliers and service providers delay or fail to deliver goods and services owed to us, we may not meet our operational goals within the expected timeframe. In this case, we may ultimately need to postpone one or more of our projects, which may have an adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

We are subject to minimum local content requirements in some of our concession agreements, in the Transfer of Rights Agreement and in the Production Sharing Agreements. In this case, we may not meet the minimum percentages of local content required in those agreements with appropriate financial conditions and, as a result, we may be pacteded by penalties in our contracts and we may need to search for international providers in the foreign market, which may subject us to consequences as defined in our agreements or delays in our investment projects.

 

 

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Additionally, there may be risks of delays in the customs clearance process caused by external factors, which may impact the supply of goods to us and affect our operations and projects.

Furthermore, disruptions due to health events such as COVID-19 in China and elsewhere could have a negative impact on our results and on our supply chain as well.

Our projects and operations may affect, and be affected by, the expectations and dynamics of the communities where we operate, impacting our business, reputation and image.

It is part of our policy to respect human rights and maintain responsible relationships with the local communities located where we operate. However, the various locations where we operate are exposed to a wide range of issues related to political, social and economic instability, as well as intentional acts, such as illegal diversion, crime, theft, sabotage, terrorism, roadblocks and protests. We cannot control the changes in local dynamics and the expectations of the communities where we operate and establish our businesses.

Social impacts that result from our decisions and direct and indirect activities – especially those related to divestments – and disagreements with these communities and local governments may affect the schedule or budget of our projects, hinder our operations due to potential lawsuits, have a negative financial impact and harm our reputation and image.

Water scarcity in some regions where we operate may impact the availability of water in the quantity and/or quality required for our operations, as well as difficulties in obtaining grants of the right to use water resources, impacting the business continuity of our industrial units.

We have a number of industrial facilities that demand the use of water, ranging from large users such as refineries to small users like distribution bases and terminals, which are logistically important within our chain. In recent years, several regions of the world, including some regions in Brazil, have experienced a shortage of freshwater, including for public consumption. In case of water scarcity, the grants pursuant to which we have the right to use water resources may be suspended or modified and, as a result, we may be required to reduce or suspend our production activities, since water for public consumption and watering of animals has priority over industrial use. This may jeopardize our business continuity, as well as generate financial and environmental impacts on us and our image.

Financial Risks

We have substantial liabilities and may be exposed to significant liquidity constraints in the near and medium term, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results.

We have incurred in a substantial amount of debt related to investments decisions taken in the past and in order to finance the capital expenditures needed to meet our long term objectives.

Since there may be liquidity restrictions on the debt market to finance our planned investments and repay principal and interest obligations under the terms of our debt, any difficulty in raising significant amounts of debt capital in the future may impact our results and the ability to fulfill our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.

The loss of our investment grade credit rating and any further lowering of our credit ratings could have adverse consequences on our ability to obtain financing in the market through debt or equity securities, or may impact our cost of financing, also making it more difficult or costly to refinance maturing obligations. The impact on our ability to obtain financing and the cost of financing may adversely affect our results and financial condition.

In addition, our credit rating is sensitive to any change in the credit rating of the Brazilian federal government. Any further lowering of the Brazilian sovereign’s credit ratings may have additional adverse consequences on our ability to obtain financing or the cost of our financing, and consequently, on our results and financial condition.

 

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We are vulnerable to increased debt service resulting from depreciation of the real in relation to the U.S. dollar and increases in prevailing market interest rates.

As of December 31, 2019, a significant portion of our financial debt was denominated in currencies other than the real. A substantial portion of our indebtedness is, and is expected to continue to be, denominated in or indexed to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies. A further depreciation of the real against any of these other currencies will increase our debt service in reais, as the amount of reais necessary to pay principal and interest on foreign currency debt will increase with this depreciation.

Foreign exchange variations may have an immediate impact on our reported income. According to our cash flow hedge accounting policy, hedging relationships are designated for the existing natural hedge between our U.S. dollar denominated future exports that are considered to be highly probable (hedged item) and U.S. dollar denominated financial debt (hedging instruments).

Following a devaluation of the real, some of our operating expenses, capital expenditures, investments and import costs will increase. As most of our revenues are denominated in reais but linked to Brent prices in dolar, unless we increase the prices of our products in the local market to reflect the depreciation of the real, our cash generation relative to our capacity to service debt may decline.

To the extent we refinance our maturing obligations with newly contracted debt, we may incur additional interest expense.

As of December 31, 2019, a significant portion of our total indebtedness consisted of floating rate debt. We generally do not enter into derivative contracts or similar financial instruments or make other arrangements with third parties to hedge against the risk of an increase in interest rates.

To the extent that such floating rates rise, we may incur in additional expenses. Moreover, as we refinance our existing debt in the coming years, the mix of our indebtedness may change, specifically as it relates to the ratio of fixed to floating interest rates, the ratio of short-term to long-term debt, and the currencies in which our debt is denominated or to which it is indexed.

Changes that affect the composition of our debt and cause rises in short or long-term interest rates may increase our debt service payments, which could have an adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

The obligations relating to our pension plan (“Petros”) and health care benefits (“AMS”) are estimates, which are reviewed annually, and may diverge from actual future contributions due to changes in market and economic conditions, as well as changes in actuarial assumptions.

The criteria used for determining commitments relating to pension and health care plan benefits are based on actuarial and financial estimates and assumptions with respect to (i) the calculation of projected short-term and long-term cash flows and (ii) the application of internal and external regulatory rules. Therefore, there are uncertainties inherent in the use of estimates that may result in differences between the forecasted value and the actual realized value. In addition, the financial assets held by Petros to cover pension obligations are subject to risks inherent to investment management and such assets may not generate the necessary returns to cover the relevant liabilities, in which case extraordinary contributions from us, as sponsor, and the participants, may be required.

With respect to health care benefits (AMS), the projected cash flows can also be impacted by (i) higher medical costs than expected; (ii) additional claims arising from the extension of benefits; and (iii) difficulties in adjusting the contributions of participants to reflect increases in health care costs.

In addition, we and Petros face risks relating to pension funds in lawsuits that may occasionally require additional disbursements from us.

These risks may result in an increase in our liabilities and may adversely affect our results and our business.

 

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We are exposed to the credit risks of certain of our customers and associated risks of default. Any material nonpayment or nonperformance by some of our customers could adversely affect our cash flow, results and financial condition.

Some of our customers may experience financial constraints or liquidity issues that could have a significant negative effect on their creditworthiness. Severe financial issues encountered by our customers could limit our ability to collect amounts owed to us, or to enforce the performance of obligations owed to us under contractual arrangements.

In addition, many of our customers finance their activities through their cash flows from operations, the incurrence of short and long-term debt.

Declining economic conditions in Brazil, and resulting decreased cash flows, combined with a lack of debt or equity financing for our customers may affect us, since many of our customers are Brazilian and may have significantly reduced liquidity and limited ability to make payments or perform their obligations.

This could result in a decrease in our cash flow and may also reduce or curtail our customers’ future demand for our products and services, which may have an adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

Compliance, Legal and Regulatory Risks

Failures to prevent, detect in a timely manner, or correct behaviors inconsistent with our ethical principles and rules of conduct may have a material adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

In the past, some of our senior managers, directors and contractors have engaged in fraudulent activities incompatible with our ethics and compliance standards. We are subject to the risk that our management, employees, contractors or any person doing business with us may engage in fraudulent activity, corruption or bribery, circumvent or override our internal controls and procedures or misappropriate or manipulate our assets for their personal benefit or of third parties, against our interest.

This risk is heightened by the fact that we have a large number of complex, valuable contracts with local and foreign suppliers, as well as the geographic distribution of our operations and the wide variety of counterparties involved in our business.

We cannot guarantee that all of our employees and contractors will comply with our principles and rules of ethical behavior and professional conduct aimed at guiding our management, employees and service providers. Any failure, whether actual or perceived, to abide by our ethical principles or to comply with applicable governance or regulatory obligations could harm our reputation, limit our ability to obtain financing and have a material adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

We are subject to the risk that our internal controls may become inadequate in the future because of changes in conditions, or that our degree of compliance with our policies and procedures may deteriorate.

Because of its inherent limitations, our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. It is also difficult to project the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting for future periods, as our controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or because our degree of compliance with our policies or procedures may deteriorate and we cannot be certain that in the future additional material weaknesses will not occur or otherwise be identified in a timely manner.

Any failure to maintain our internal control over financial reporting could adversely impact our ability to report our financial results in future periods accurately and in a timely manner, and to file required forms and documents with government authorities, including the SEC. We may also be unable to detect accounting errors in our financial reports or may even have to restate our financial results. Any of these occurrences may adversely affect our business and operation, and may generate negative market reactions, potentially affecting our financial conditions leading to a decline of our shareholder value.

 

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Any violation of the agreements that solved the investigations conducted by the SEC and the DoJ and potential future investigations regarding the possibility of noncompliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could adversely affect us. Violations of this or other laws may require us to pay fines and expose us and our employees to criminal sanctions and civil suits.

In 2018, in light of facts uncovered in connection with the Lava Jato investigation, we entered into a nonprosecution agreement (“NPA”) with the DoJ, pursuant to which we admitted that certain of our former executives and officers had engaged in conduct during the period from 2004 to 2012 that gave rise to violations of books and records and internal controls provisions under U.S. law. As part of the SEC resolution, we settled charges of violation of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and the books and records and internal control provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, without admitting the SEC allegations.

The agreements, subject to the terms thereof, fully resolve the investigations carried out by the DoJ and the SEC. Under the terms of the agreements, we paid US$85.3 million to the DoJ and US$85.3 million to the SEC. In addition, the agreements credited our remittance of US$682.6 million to the Brazilian authorities, which we deposited on January 30, 2019. The SEC also credited the payments we already made under our previously announced settlement of a securities class action lawsuit in the United States. The amount of US$853.2 million was recorded in other operating expenses in the third quarter of 2018.

If, during the term of the NPA (three years, unless extended), the DoJ determines that we have committed a felony under U.S. federal law, provided deliberately false or misleading information, or otherwise breached the NPA, we could be subject to prosecution and additional fines or penalties, including charges under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”).

The Lava Jato investigation is still in progress by Brazilian authorities and additional relevant information affecting our interests may come to light. Adverse developments in relation to any of the above matters could negatively impact us and could divert the efforts and attention of our management team from our ordinary business operations. In connection with any further investigations or proceedings carried out by any authorities in Brazil or in any other jurisdiction, or any violation of the NPA, we may be required to pay fines or other financial relief, or consent to injunctions or orders on future conduct or suffer other penalties, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

We may face additional proceedings related to the Lava Jato investigation.

We were subject to a number of U.S. civil proceedings relating to the Lava Jato investigation, including the consolidated securities class action before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”), 33 lawsuits filed by individual investors before the same judge in the SDNY and one lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (collectively, the “Individual Actions.”)

We entered into an agreement to settle the consolidated securities class action, which was approved by the SDNY, as well as agreements to settle the Individual Actions. In connection with the settlement of the consolidated securities class action, we paid US$2,950 million in three different installments in 2018 and 2019, into an escrow account designated by the lead plaintiff. After resolving certain objections and appeals of the settlement, it is now final and no longer subject to appeal.

We are also currently party to a collective action commenced in the Netherlands, an arbitration proceeding in Argentina, and arbitration and judicial proceedings commenced in Brazil, all of which are currently in their initial stages. In each case, the proceedings were brought by investors (or entities that allegedly represent investors’ interests) who purchased our shares traded on the B3 Stock Exchange or other securities issued by us outside of the United States, alleging damages caused by facts uncovered in the Lava Jato investigations.

In Argentina, we are the defendant in two criminal lawsuits related to an alleged fraudulent offer of securities. The first lawsuit alleges non-compliance by us with the obligation to disclose to the Argentinian market a pending class action filed by Consumidores Financieros Asociación Civil para su Defensa before the Judicial Commercial Courts, pursuant to provisions of Argentine capital markets law. The second criminal action alleges a fraudulent offer of securities aggravated by allegedly false information included in our financial statements issued prior to 2015.

In addition, EIG Management Company, LLC (“EIG Management”) and eight of EIG Management’s managed funds (“EIG Funds”) (together with EIG Management, “EIG”) filed a complaint against us on February 23, 2016 before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The dispute arises out of the EIG Funds’ indirect purchase of equity interests in Sete Brasil Participações S. A., and EIG currently has claims against us for fraud and aiding and abetting fraud related to the Lava Jato investigation. EIG seeks damages of at least US$221 million.

 

 

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It is possible that additional complaints or claims might be filed in the United States, Brazil, or elsewhere against us relating to the Lava Jato investigation in the future. It is also possible that further information damaging to us and our interests will come to light in the course of the ongoing investigations of corruption by Brazilian authorities. Our management may be required to direct its time and attention to defending these claims, which could prevent them from focusing on our core business.

In addition, as a result of the continuing Lava Jato investigation, substantive additional information may come to light in the future that would make the estimate that we made in 2014 for overpayments incorrectly capitalized appear, retrospectively, to have been materially low or high. In prior years, we were required to write off capitalized costs representing amounts that we overpaid for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment. We may be required to restate our financial statements to further adjust the write offs representing the overstatement of our assets recognized in our audited consolidated financial statements for prior years.

Differing interpretations of tax regulations or changes in tax policies could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results.

We are subject to tax rules and regulation that may be interpreted differently over time, or that may be interpreted differently by us and Brazilian tax authorities (including the federal, state and municipal authorities), both of which could have a financial impact on our business. In some cases, when we have exhausted all administrative appeals relating to a tax contingency, further appeals must be made in the judicial courts, which may require that, in order to appeal, we provide collateral to judicial courts, such as the deposit of amounts equal to the potential tax liability in addition to accrued interest and penalties. In certain of these cases, settlement of the matter may be a more favorable option for us.

In the future, we may face similar situations in which our interpretation of a tax regulation may differ from that of tax authorities, or tax authorities may dispute our interpretation and we may eventually take unanticipated provisions and charges. In addition, the eventual settlement of one tax dispute may have a broader impact on other tax disputes. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results.

Differences in interpretations and new regulatory requirements by the agencies in our industry may result in our need for increased investments, expenses and operating costs, or may cause delays in production.

Our activities are subject to regulation and supervision by regulatory agencies, such as the ANP. Issues such as local content requirements, procedures for the unitization of areas, definition of reference prices for the calculation of royalties and governmental participation, among others, are subject to a regulatory regime overseen by the ANP.

Changes in the regulations applicable to us, as well as differences of interpretation between us and the agencies that regulate our industry, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results. Any future differences in interpretation between us and these regulatory agencies may materially impact our results, since such interpretations directly affect the economic and technical assumptions that guide our investment decisions.

Differing interpretations and numerous environmental, health and safety regulations and industry standards that are becoming more stringent may result in increased capital and operating expenditures and decreased production.

Our activities are subject to evolving industry standards and best practices, and a wide variety of federal, state and local laws, regulations and permit requirements relating to the protection of human health, safety and the environment, both in Brazil and in other jurisdictions where we operate. These laws, regulations and requirements may result in significant costs, which may have a negative impact on the profitability of the projects we intend to implement or may make such projects economically unfeasible.

Any substantial increase in expenditures for compliance with environmental, health or safety regulations may have a material adverse effect on our results and financial condition. These increasingly stringent laws, regulations and requirements may result in significant decreases in our production, including unplanned shutdowns, which may also have a material adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

 

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We are subject to the granting of environmental licenses and permits that may result in delays to deliver some of our projects and difficulties to reach our crude oil and natural gas production objectives.

Our activities are subject to and depend on the granting of environmental licenses and permits by a wide variety of federal, state and local laws, relating to the protection of human health, safety and the environment, both in Brazil and in other jurisdictions in which we operate. As environmental, health and safety regulations become increasingly complex, it is possible that our efforts to comply with such laws and regulations will increase substantially in the future.

We cannot ensure that the planned schedules and budgets of our projects, including the decommissioning of mature fields, will not be affected by demands of new regulatory bodies or that the relevant licenses and permits will be issued in a timely manner. Potential delays in obtaining licenses may impact our crude oil and natural gas production objectives, negatively influencing our results and financial condition.

Operations with related parties may not be properly identified and handled.

Generally, transactions with related parties are part of the business of large companies. Such transactions must follow market standards and generate mutual benefit. Decision processes surrounding such transactions must be objective and documented. Further, we must comply with the rules of competition and adequate disclosure of information, in accordance with the applicable legislation and as determined by the CVM and the SEC. The possible failure of our process to identify and deal with these situations may adversely affect our economic and financial condition, as well as lead to regulatory assessments by agencies.

We may be required by courts to guarantee the supply of products or services to defaulted counterparties.

As a company controlled by the federal government and operating throughout Brazil, we may be required by the Brazilian courts to provide products and services to clients, whether public or private institutions, with the purpose of guaranteeing supplies to the domestic oil market, even in situations where these clients and institutions are in default with contractual or legal obligations. Such supply in exceptional situations may adversely affect our financial position.

Business Risks

Our cash flow and profitability are exposed to the volatility of prices of oil, gas and oil products.

Most of our revenue derives primarily from sales of crude oil, oil products and, to a lesser extent, natural gas. International prices for oil and oil products are volatile and strongly influenced by conditions and expectations of world supply and demand. In addition, public health epidemics (such as the COVID-19 epidemic in early 2020), which is likely to decelerate the expected growth of worldwide oil demand in 2020, has already significantly affected oil prices and, consequently, could affect our financial results. Volatility and uncertainty in international oil prices are structural and likely to continue. Changes in oil prices usually result in changes in the prices of oil products and natural gas.

Currently, diesel and gasoline prices are defined taking into account the international import parity price, margins to remunerate the risks inherent in our operations and the level of market share. Price adjustments can be made at any time. Since one of our pricing objectives is to maintain fuel prices in parity with global market trends, substantial or extended declines in international crude oil prices may have a material adverse effect on our business, results and financial condition, and may also affect the value of our proved reserves.

In the past, our management has adjusted our pricing from time to time. We cannot guarantee that our way of setting prices will not change in the future. In previous years, we have not always adjusted our prices to reflect parity with the global market trends or reflect exchange rate volatility. In the event that our way of setting prices changes based on the decisions of the Brazilian federal government, as our controlling shareholder, we may have periods in the future during which our prices for diesel and gasoline will not be at parity with international prices. Any such changes in our pricing may have a material adverse effect on our businesses, results and financial condition.

 

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Developments in the economic environment and in the oil and gas industry and other factors have resulted, and may result, in substantial write-downs of the carrying amount of certain of our assets, which could adversely affect our results and financial condition.

We evaluate on an annual basis, or more frequently when the circumstances require, the carrying amount of our assets for possible impairment. Our impairment tests are performed by a comparison of the carrying amount of an individual asset or a cash generating unit with its recoverable amount. Whenever the recoverable amount of an individual asset or cash generating unit is less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to the recoverable amount.

Changes in the economic, regulatory, business or political environment in Brazil or other markets where we operate, such as the recent significant decline in international crude oil and gas prices, the devaluation of the real, as well as changes in financing conditions, such as deterioration of risk perception and interest rates, for such projects, among other factors, may affect the original profitability estimates of our projects, which could adversely affect our results.

Climate change could impact our results and strategy.

Climate change poses new challenges and opportunities for our business. More stringent environmental regulations can result in the imposition of costs associated with greenhouse gas emissions, either through environmental agency requirements relating to mitigation initiatives or through other regulatory measures such as greenhouse gas emissions taxation and market creation of limitations on greenhouse gas emissions that have the potential to increase our operating costs.

The risks associated with climate change could also make it difficult for us to access capital due to public image issues with investors; changes in the consumer profile, with reduced consumption of fossil fuels; and energy transitions in the world economy, towards a lower carbon matrix, with the insertion of substitute products for fossil fuels and the increasing use of electricity for urban mobility. These factors may have a negative impact on the demand for our products and services and may jeopardize or even impair the implementation and operation of our businesses, adversely impacting our results and financial condition and limiting some of our growth opportunities.

The ability to develop, adapt, access new technologies and take advantage of opportunities related to innovations in digital technology is fundamental to our competitiveness.

The availability of technologies that ensure the maintenance of our reserve rates and the viability of production in an efficient manner, as well as the development of new products and processes that respond to environmental regulations and new market trends, play a key role in increasing our long-term competitiveness. In the event some disruptive technology is introduced into the oil industry, changing performance standards, it would be important for us to have access to this technology, which may impact our competitiveness in relation to other companies.

Recent advances in data acquisition and analysis, connectivity, artificial intelligence, robotics and other technologies are changing the sources that create competitive advantage. Eventual failure to capture these opportunities may have an impact on our competitiveness in the oil and gas market and our long-term objectives.

Maintaining our long-term objectives for oil production depends on our ability to successfully obtain and develop oil reserves.

Our ability to maintain our long-term objectives for oil production is highly dependent upon our ability to obtain additional reserves and to successfully develop our existing reserves.

Our ability to obtain additional reserves depends upon exploration activities, which demands significant capital investments, exposes us to the inherent risks of drilling, and may not lead to the discovery of commercially productive crude oil or natural gas reserves. We may also obtain additional reserves by proposing and implementing new development projects. Deepwater reservoirs exploitation demands significant resources to be successful and involves numerous factors beyond our control, such as delays in availability of offshore equipment, shortages in access to critical resources, and unexpected operational conditions, including equipment failures or incidents, that may cause operations to be curtailed, delayed or cancelled.

In addition, increased competition in the oil and gas sector in Brazil and our own capital constraints may make it more difficult or costly to obtain additional acreage in bidding rounds for new contracts and to explore existing contracted areas.

 

 

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Our crude oil and natural gas reserve estimates involve some degree of uncertainty, which could adversely affect our ability to generate income.

Our proved crude oil and natural gas reserves set forth in this annual report are the estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be economically recoverable from a given date forward from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions (i.e. using prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made) according to applicable regulations. Reserve estimates presented are based on assumptions and interpretations, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. If the geological and engineering data that we use to estimate our reserves are not accurate, our reserves may be significantly lower than the ones currently indicated in the volume estimates of our portfolio and reported by companies that conduct an evaluation on our reserves estimates. Downward revisions in our reserve estimates could lead to lower future production, which could have an adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

We do not own any of the subsoil accumulations of crude oil and natural gas in Brazil.

Under Brazilian law, the Brazilian federal government owns all subsoil accumulations of crude oil and natural gas in Brazil and, according to the Brazilian concession regime, the concessionaire owns the oil and gas it produces from those subsoil accumulations pursuant to applicable agreements executed with the Brazilian federal government. We possess, as a concessionaire of certain oil and natural gas fields in Brazil, the exclusive right to develop the volumes of crude oil and natural gas included in our reserves pursuant to concession and other agreements. Access to crude oil and natural gas reserves is essential to an oil and gas company’s sustained production and generation of income, and our ability to generate income would be adversely affected if the Brazilian federal government were to restrict or prevent us from exploiting these crude oil and natural gas reserves.

As a result of divestments and partnerships, we are exposed to risks that could lead to unforeseen financial losses.

Upon completion of each divestment or partnership, we must perform integrated management and monitoring of the actions required and provided for in the contracts related to such project, paying attention to the fulfillment of the obligations established for the buyer and the seller. In the event of non-compliance with these obligations, the financial adjustments between the parties may be different from the base scenario adopted at the time of divestment or partnership. In addition, as determined by the ANP, even in the event of total or partial disposal of our participation in E&P contracts, we remain jointly and severally liable for abandonment costs after the new concessionaire’s production closes, should it default on this task. Such joint and several liability covers obligations arising on a date prior to the transfer, regardless of when such obligations arise. The same is true for any environmental liabilities.

Additionally, our sale of assets may negatively impact existing synergies or logistical issues within our company, which may adversely affect our long-term operating growth prospects and, as a result, our medium and long-term results.

In addition, our partners may not be able to meet their obligations, including financial obligations, which may jeopardize the viability of some projects in which we participate. When we act as operators, our partners may have the right to veto certain decisions, which may also affect the viability of some projects. Regardless of the partner responsible for the operations of each project, we may be exposed to the risks associated with those operations, including litigation (where joint liability could apply, in relation to the ANP, in the case of concession agreements, and in relation to the ANP and production sharing regime) and the risk of government sanctions arising from such partnerships, which could have a material adverse effect on their operations, reputation, cash flow and financial condition.

We have assets and investments in other countries, where the political, economic and social situation may negatively impact our business.

We operate and have businesses in several countries, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, in the U.S., in South America, in Europe, in Asia and in Africa, in areas where there may be political, economic and social instabilities. In such regions, external factors may adversely affect the results and the financial condition of our subsidiaries in these countries, including: (i) the imposition of price controls; (ii) the imposition of restrictions on hydrocarbon exports; (iii) the fluctuation of local currencies against the real; (iv) nationalization of our oil and gas reserves and our assets; (v) increases in export tax and income tax rates for oil and oil products; and (vi) unilateral (governmental) and contractual institutional changes, including controls on investments and limitations on new projects.

If one or more of the risks described above occurs, we may lose part or all of our reserves in the affected country and may also fail to achieve our strategic objectives in these countries, or in our international operations as a whole, which may negatively impact our results and financial resources.

 

 

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The performance of companies licensed to use our brands may impact our image and reputation.

Our divestments and partnerships plan includes the sale of some of our companies in the fuel distribution segment. Some of these transactions include licensing our brands to future buyers and partners. Once a licensee holds the right to display our brands in products, services and communications, it can be perceived by stakeholders as our legitimate representative or spokesperson. Licensees’ actions or events related to their business, such as, failures, accidents, errors in business performance, environmental crises, corruption scandals and improper use of our brand, among other factors, may negatively impact our image and reputation.

Government Ownership and Country Risks

The Brazilian federal government, as our controlling shareholder, may pursue certain macroeconomic and social objectives through us that may have a material adverse effect on us.

Our Board of Directors consists of a minimum of seven and a maximum of eleven members, who are elected at our shareholders’ meeting for a term of up to two years, with a maximum of three consecutive reelections allowed. Brazilian law requires that the Brazilian federal government owns a majority of our voting stock, and so long as it does, the Brazilian federal government will have the power to elect a majority of the members of our Board of Directors and, through them, the executive officers who are responsible for our day-to-day management. As a result, we may engage in activities that give preference to the objectives of the Brazilian federal government rather than to our own economic and business objectives, which may have an adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

Elections in Brazil occur every four years, and changes in elected representatives may lead to a change of the members of our Board of Directors appointed by the controlling shareholder, which may further impact the management of our business strategy and guidelines, as mentioned above.

As our controlling shareholder, the Brazilian federal government has guided and may continue to guide certain macroeconomic and social policies through us, pursuant to Brazilian law. Accordingly, we may make investments, incur costs and engage in transactions with parties or on terms that may have an adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

Fragility in the performance of the Brazilian economy, instability in the political environment, regulatory changes and investor perception of these conditions may adversely affect the results of our operations and our financial performance and may have a material adverse effect on us.

Our activities are strongly concentrated in Brazil. Economic policies adopted by the Brazilian federal government may have important effects on Brazilian companies, including us, and on market conditions and prices of Brazilian securities. Our financial condition and results may be adversely affected by the following factors and the response of the Brazilian federal government to these factors:

 

 

exchange rate movements and volatility;

 

 

inflation;

 

 

financing of government fiscal deficits;

 

 

price instability;

 

 

interest rates;

 

 

liquidity of domestic capital and lending markets;

 

 

tax policy;

 

 

regulatory policy for the oil and gas industry, including pricing policy and local content requirements;

 

 

allegations of corruption against political parties, elected officials or other public officials, including allegations made in relation to the Lava Jato investigation; and

 

 

other political, diplomatic, social and economic developments in or affecting Brazil.

 

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Uncertainty over whether the Brazilian federal government will implement changes in policy or regulations that may affect any of the factors mentioned above or other factors in the future may lead to economic uncertainty in Brazil and increase the volatility of the Brazilian securities market and securities issued abroad by Brazilian companies, which may have a material adverse effect on our results and financial condition.

Allegations of political corruption against members of the Brazilian government could create economic and political instability.

In the past, members of the Brazilian federal government and the Brazilian legislative branch have faced allegations of political corruption. As a result, a number of politicians, including senior federal officials and congressmen, resigned or have been arrested.

Currently, elected officials and other public officials in Brazil are being investigated for allegations of unethical and illegal conduct identified during the Lava Jato investigation being conducted by the Office of the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor. The potential outcome of these investigations is unknown, but they have already had an adverse impact on the image and reputation of the implicated companies (including us), in addition to the adverse impact on general market perception of the Brazilian economy. These proceedings, their conclusions or further allegations of illicit conduct could have additional adverse effects on the Brazilian economy. Such allegations may lead to further instability, or new allegations against Brazilian government officials and others may arise in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on us. We cannot predict the outcome of any such allegations nor their effect on the Brazilian economy.

Equity and Debt Securities Risks

The size, volatility, liquidity or regulation of the Brazilian securities markets may curb the ability of holders of ADSs to sell the common or preferred shares underlying our ADSs.

Our shares are among the most liquid traded on the B3, but overall, the Brazilian securities markets are smaller, more volatile and less liquid than the major securities markets in the United States and other jurisdictions, and may be regulated differently from the way in which U.S. investors are accustomed. Factors that may specifically affect the Brazilian equity markets may limit the ability of holders of ADSs to sell the common or preferred shares underlying our ADSs at the price and time they desire.

Holders of our ADSs may be unable to exercise preemptive rights with respect to the common or preferred shares underlying the ADSs.

Holders of ADSs who are residents of the United States may not be able to exercise the preemptive rights relating to the common or preferred shares underlying our ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. We are not obligated to file a registration statement with respect to the common or preferred shares relating to these preemptive rights, and therefore we may not file any such registration statement. If a registration statement is not filed and an exemption from registration does not exist, JPMorgan, as depositary, will attempt to sell the preemptive rights, and holders of ADSs will be entitled to receive the proceeds of the sale. However, the preemptive rights will expire if the depositary cannot sell them. For a more complete description of preemptive rights with respect to the common or preferred shares, see “Shareholder Information – Shares and Shareholders – Other Shareholders’ Rights” in this annual report.

If holders of our ADSs exchange their ADSs for common or preferred shares, they risk losing the ability to timely remit foreign currency abroad and other related advantages.

The Brazilian custodian for our common or preferred shares underlying our ADSs must obtain a certificate of registration from the Central Bank of Brazil to be entitled to remit U.S. dollars abroad for payments of dividends and other distributions relating to our preferred and common shares or upon the disposition of the common or preferred shares.

The conversion of ADSs directly into ownership of the underlying common or preferred shares is governed by CMN Resolution No. 4,373 and foreign investors who intend to do so are required to appoint a representative in Brazil for the purposes of CMN Resolution No. 4,373, who will be in charge for keeping and updating the investors’ certificates of registrations with the Central Bank of Brazil, which entitles registered foreign investors to buy and sell directly on the B3. Such arrangements may require additional expenses from the foreign investor. Moreover, if such representatives fail to obtain or update the relevant certificates of registration, investors may incur in additional expenses or be subject to operational delays which could affect their ability to receive dividends or distributions relating to the common or preferred shares or the return of their capital in a timely manner.

 

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The custodian’s certificate of registration or any foreign capital registration directly obtained by such holders may be affected by future legislative or regulatory changes, and we cannot assure such holders that additional restrictions applicable to them, the disposition of the underlying common or preferred shares, or the repatriation of the proceeds from the process will not be imposed in the future.

Holders of our ADSs may face difficulties in protecting their interests.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our Bylaws and Brazilian Corporate Law, which differ from the legal principles that would apply if we were incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States or elsewhere outside Brazil. In addition, the rights of an ADS holder, which are derivative of the rights of holders of our common or preferred shares, as the case may be, to protect their interests are different under Brazilian Corporate Law than under the laws of other jurisdictions. Rules against insider trading and self-dealing and the preservation of shareholder interests may also be different in Brazil than in the United States. In addition, the structure of a class action in Brazil is different from that in the U.S. Under Brazilian law, shareholders in Brazilian companies do not have standing to bring a class action, and under our Bylaws must, generally with respect to disputes concerning rules regarding the operation of the capital markets, arbitrate any such disputes. See “Shareholder Information – Shares and Shareholders – Dispute Resolution” in this annual report.

We are a state-controlled company organized under the laws of Brazil, and all of our directors and officers reside in Brazil. Substantially all of our assets and those of our directors and officers are located in Brazil. As a result, it may not be possible for holders of ADSs to effect service of process upon us or our directors and officers within the United States or other jurisdictions outside Brazil or to enforce against us or our directors and officers judgments obtained in the United States or other jurisdictions outside Brazil. Because judgments of U.S. courts for civil liabilities based upon the U.S. federal securities laws may only be enforced in Brazil if certain requirements are met, holders of ADSs may face greater difficulties in protecting their interest in actions against us or our directors and officers than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a state or other jurisdiction of the United States.

Holders of our ADSs do not have the same voting rights as our shareholders. In addition, holders of ADSs representing preferred shares do not have voting rights.

Holders of our ADSs do not have the same voting rights as holders of our shares. Holders of our ADSs are entitled to the contractual rights set forth for their benefit under the deposit agreements. ADS holders exercise voting rights by providing instructions to the depositary, as opposed to attending shareholders meetings or voting by other means available to shareholders. In practice, the ability of a holder of ADSs to instruct the depositary as to voting will depend on the timing and procedures for providing instructions to the depositary, either directly or through the holder’s custodian and clearing system.

In addition, a portion of our ADSs represents our preferred shares. Under Brazilian Corporate Law and our Bylaws, except for specific situations, holders of preferred shares do not have the right to vote in shareholders’ meetings. Holders of ADSs representing preferred shares are not entitled to vote most of decisions as well. See “Shareholders – Shares and Shareholders – Shareholders Rights – Shareholders’ Meetings and Voting Rights” in this annual report.

The market for PGF’s debt securities may not be liquid.

Some of PGF’s notes are not listed on any securities exchange and are not quoted through an automated quotation system. Most of PGF’s notes are currently listed both on the NYSE and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and trade on the NYSE Euronext and Euro Multilateral Trading Facility (“MTF”) market, respectively, although most trading in PGF’s notes occurs over-the-counter. PGF can issue new notes that can be listed in markets other than the NYSE and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and traded in markets other than the NYSE Euronext and the Euro MTF market. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or trading markets for PGF’s notes. We cannot guarantee that the holders of PGF’s notes will be able to sell their notes in the future. If a market for PGF’s notes does not develop, holders of PGF’s notes may not be able to resell the notes for an extended period of time, if at all.

We would be required to pay judgments of Brazilian courts enforcing our obligations under the guaranty relating to PGF’s notes only in reais.

If proceedings were brought in Brazil seeking to enforce our obligations in respect of the guaranty relating to PGF’s notes, we would be required to discharge our obligations only in reais. Under Brazilian exchange controls, an obligation to pay amounts denominated in a currency other than reais, which is payable in Brazil pursuant to a decision of a Brazilian court, will be satisfied in reais at the rate of exchange in effect on the date of payment, as determined by the Central Bank of Brazil.

 

 

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A finding that we are subject to U.S. bankruptcy laws and that the guaranty executed by us was a fraudulent conveyance could result in PGF noteholders losing their legal claim against us.

PGF’s obligation to make payments on the PGF notes is supported by our obligation under the corresponding guaranty. We have been advised by our external U.S. counsel that the guaranty is valid and enforceable in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the United States. In addition, we have been advised by our general counsel that the laws of Brazil do not prevent the guaranty from being valid, binding and enforceable against us in accordance with its terms. In the event that U.S. federal fraudulent conveyance or similar laws are applied to the guaranty, and we, at the time we entered into the relevant guaranty:

 

 

were or are insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of our entry into such guaranty;

 

 

were or are engaged in business or transactions for which the assets remaining with us constituted unreasonably small capital; or

 

 

intended to incur or incurred, or believed or believe that we would incur, debts beyond our ability to pay such debts as they mature; and

 

 

in each case, intended to receive or received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration therefor, then our obligations under the guaranty could be avoided, or claims with respect to that agreement could be subordinated to the claims of other creditors. Among other things, a legal challenge to the guaranty on fraudulent conveyance grounds may focus on the benefits, if any, realized by us as a result of the issuance of the PGF notes. To the extent that the guaranty is held to be a fraudulent conveyance or unenforceable for any other reason, the holders of the PGF notes would not have a claim against us under the relevant guaranty and would solely have a claim against PGF. We cannot ensure that, after providing for all prior claims, there will be sufficient assets to satisfy the claims of the PGF noteholders relating to any avoided portion of the guaranty.

Corporate Risk Management

We believe that integrated and proactive risk management is essential for the delivery of results in a safe and sustainable way. Our risk-management process is centralized, allowing the standardization and uniformity of risk analysis and the management of risk responsibilities. We have an executive risk committee to advise our Board of Executive Officers in the analysis of matters relating to risk management. Each of our organizational units must identify, prioritize, monitor and, together with our business risks teams, periodically communicate to the executive risk committee the main risks involved in the activities performed by such unit, as well as planned mitigating actions.

In order to assist in this process, our corporate risk management policy establishes guidelines and responsibilities and is based on the following fundamental principles:

 

 

respect for life and life diversity;

 

 

full alignment and consistency with our Strategic Plan;

 

 

ethical behavior and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

 

integrated risk management; and

 

 

orientation of risk response actions aimed at aggregating or preserving shareholder value and business continuity.

The risks we categorize as “strategic risks” are monitored through specific actions, which are key for the implementation of our Strategic Plan. The scope and probability of these risks, as well as the resources required to address these risks, are particularly important to assess for our business.

The risk management organizational structure, that is under the supervision of our CFO, is responsible for:

 

 

identifying, monitoring and reporting periodically to our Board of Executive Officers and Board of Directors on the effects of major risks on our integrated results;

 

 

promoting integration and synergy of risk management actions taken in the organizational units, as well as in other business processes, support and management;

 

 

establishing a corporate methodology for risk management guided by an integrated and systemic view, which allows for an environment of continuous monitoring of risks in several hierarchical levels;

 

 

disseminating knowledge and the culture of risk management; and

 

 

encouraging managers to develop and implement the necessary measures to align our exposure to acceptable risk levels.

 

 

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In order to support the risk management process, our corporate risk management policy specifies authorities to be consulted, responsibilities to be undertaken, and five principles and ten guidelines that guide our risk management initiatives.

This policy has a comprehensive approach to corporate risk management, which combines the traditional economic and financial risk management approach with other relevant areas of interest, such as protection of life, health and environment, assets and business information protection (property and security) and combating fraud and corruption (legal and compliance), among other corporate risks. With a focus on integrating risk management actions, our policy allows any employee to have access to the terms and concepts related to risk management, as well as to the measures taken and parties responsible for the management of each of the risks we are exposed to.

For further information regarding our revised business risk management policy, please visit our website at https://www.petrobras.com.br/ir. The information on this website, which might be accessible through a hyperlink resulting from this URL, is not and shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this annual report.

Disclosures about Market Risk

Commodity Price Risk

We operate in an integrated manner throughout the various stages of the oil industry. A great part of our results relate directly to oil exploration and production, refining and the sale of natural gas, biofuels and electricity in Brazil. As our purchases and sales of crude oil and oil products are linked to international commodity prices, we are exposed to their price fluctuations, which may influence our profitability, our cash flow from operations and our financial situation.

We prefer to maintain exposure to the price cycle than use financial derivatives to systematically protect purchases and sale transactions that focus on fulfilling our operation needs. However, based on crude oil market conditions and prospects of realization of our Strategic Plan, we may decide to implement protection strategies using financial instruments to manage our cash flow expenses.

In March 2019, we deployed a hedging strategy for part of our expected oil production in 2019, in a volume equivalent to 186 million barrels. Put options were purchased with exercise price referenced to the average price of Brent oil from April through the end of 2019, with an average exercise price of around US$60 per barrel. The options matured at the end of 2019. However, throughout the third quarter of 2019, due to the significant reduction in cash flow uncertainties for the 2019-2023 period, we sold our put options at an exercise price referenced to the average Brent oil prices from April to the end of 2019 at US$60/barrel, with total premium received of US$101 million.

In addition, transactions with derivatives were also implemented to protect our margins for short-term commercial transactions carried out abroad. Our derivatives contracts provide economic hedges for oil product purchases and sales in the global markets, generally expected to occur within a 30 to 360-day period.

For more information about our commodity derivatives transactions, including a sensitivity analysis demonstrating the net change in fair value of a 25% (or 50%) adverse change in the price of the underlying commodity for options and futures, see Note 36 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Exposure to interest rate and exchange rate risk

For information about interest rate and exchange rate risk, see “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in this annual report.

 

 

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Insurance

Regarding operational risks, our policy is to maintain insurance coverage when the obligation to maintain such coverage derives from a legal or contractual instrument or our Bylaws; or the event covered may cause significant damage to our financial results, and coverage is economically feasible.

We maintain several insurance policies, including policies against fire, operational risk, engineering risk, property damage coverage for onshore and offshore assets such as fixed platforms, floating production systems and offshore drilling units, hull insurance for tankers and auxiliary vessels, third party liability insurance and transportation insurance. The coverages of these policies are contracted accordin’s, or B + or higher by A.M. Best.

Our policies are subject to deductibles, limits, exclusions and limitations, and there is no assurance that such coverage will adequately protect us against liability from all possible consequences and damages associated with our activities. Thus, it is not possible to assure that insurance coverage will exist for all damages resulting from possible incidents or accidents, which may negatively affect our results.

Specifically, we do not maintain insurance coverage to safeguard our assets in case of war or sabotage. We also do not maintain coverage for business interruption, except for some specific assets in Brazil. Generally, we do not maintain coverage for our wells in operation in Brazil, except when required by a joint operating agreement. In addition, our third-party liability policies do not cover government fines or punitive damages.

Our national property damage policies have a maximum deductible of US$180 million and their indemnity limits can reach US$2.28 billion for refineries and US$2.5 billion for platforms, depending on the replacement value of our assets. We self-insure less valuable assets, including but not limited to small auxiliary vessels, certain storage facilities and some administrative facilities.

Our general third party liability policy with respect to our onshore and offshore activities in Brazil, including losses due to sudden pollution, such as oil spills, has a maximum indemnity limit of US$250 million with an associated deductible of US$10 million. We also maintain marine insurance with additional protection and indemnity against third parties related to our domestic offshore operations with an indemnity limit of US$50 million up to US$500 million, depending on the type of vessel. For activities in Brazil, in the event of an explosion or similar event on one of our non-fixed offshore platforms, these policies may provide third-party combined liability coverage of up to US$750 million. In addition, although we do not insure most of our pipelines against property damage, we have insurance against damages or losses to third parties arising from specific incidents, such as unexpected infiltration and oil pollution.

Outside Brazil, we maintain different levels of third party liability insurance, as a result of a variety of factors, including country risk assessments, whether we have onshore and offshore operations, or legal requirements imposed by a particular country in which we operate. We maintain separate well-control insurance policies in our international operations to cover liabilities arising from the uncontrolled eruption of oil, gas, water or drilling fluid. In addition, such policies cover claims of environmental damage caused by wellbore explosion and similar events as well as related clean-up costs with coverage limits of up to US$345 million depending on the country.

Emerging Risks

Emerging risks are the long-term strategic risks that we have identified as the most severe and could significantly impact the execution of our Strategic Plan. We detail below these risks already briefly described in “Risks – Risk Factors” in this annual report.

Technology systems, security (cybersecurity) systems, telecommunications systems and services.

Recently, concerns about information security failures have been growing in the world. These failures may have an external source, such as malware, hacking, cyber terrorism, among others. These failures can also have an internal origin, through intentional and fraudulent acts by employees and contractors with the purpose of obtaining personal advantages.

The perception of the severity of this risk by our management has increased significantly over time. Therefore such risk has been classified as a strategic risk in our Strategic Plan. In addition to cybersecurity issues, the concern and actions by our management aimed to improve protection and privacy of personal data held by us.

In Brazil, the LGPD will be completely effective as of August 2020. The LGPD has a series of sanctions, including fines, to be applied to organizations that do not comply with LGPD’s rules.

 

 

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We are using layers of protection over e-mails, analysis of vulnerabilities in networks and applications, audit trails in information systems, privileged access control, updating security packages, authentication of devices and users for access to the internet, corporate network, internet content filters, encryption and segregation of key functions.

Additionally, in order to guarantee our security in a world where data are considered valuable and strategic assets, in December 2019, we created an area dedicated to information security, linked to the Digital Transformation and Innovation Executive Officer, form purposes of centralizing management related to all security information disciplines.

The strategic initiative for digital transformation of our strategic plan aims to prepare for a competitive environment that is being increasingly influenced by digital technologies and a new way of working, based on collaboration. The possibilities for transforming operational and business models bring opportunities to increase the efficiency and safety of operations, reduce costs and bring more robustness and agility to decisions. Efforts go beyond the implementation of technological solutions, also seeking to implement a culture of innovation that promotes experimentation, multifunctional collaboration and information sharing.

For more details, see “Risks – Risk Factors – Strategic Risks” and “Strategic Plan – Digital Transformation” in this annual report.

Changes in the competitive environment.

In June 2019, we signed two commitment agreements with CADE, which consolidate the understanding between the parties on the execution of divestment of refining assets and the promotion of competition in the natural gas industry in Brazil, including the sale of our shareholding in companies operating in the natural gas sector and their related assets. These agreements suspend the administrative investigation started by CADE court to investigate alleged abuse of our dominant position in the refining segment and creates a favorable environment for new investors to enter the natural gas industry.

The implementation of these agreements, associated with possible upstream regulatory changes, could increase the level of competition in the sector.

We are focusing on assets in which we are the natural owner and we expect better prospective return on capital (deepwater and ultra-deepwater activities), constantly pursue a competitive and efficient cost and investment structure, using active portfolio management as a key driver to our partnerships and divestments.

In addition, we have improving our operating efficiencies, reducing significantly our financial debt and we approved a plan of resilience related to our projects and assets, for guarantee profitability even in low oil prices scenarios. Since 2015, we launched some voluntary dismissal programs (see “Management and Employees – Employees – Workforce” in this annual report) and we maintain the efforts to cut others costs, with a rationalization of our physical space as part of risk treatment and strategy.

For more information, see “Risks – Risk Factors – Strategic Risks”, “Strategic Plan – 2020-2024 Strategic Plan” and “Portfolio Management” in this annual report.

 

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LOGO

 

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OUR BUSINESS

Exploration and Production

Overview

Our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are the major components of our investment portfolio and include offshore and onshore exploration, appraisal, development, production and incorporation of oil and natural gas reserves, producing oil and natural gas in a safe and profitable way.

Our activities are focused on deepwater and ultra-deepwater oil reservoirs in Brazil, which accounted for 87% of our total production in 2019. We also have activities in mature fields in shallow waters and onshore, as well as outside Brazil as detailed below in this annual report. Brazilian exploration and production assets represent 92% of our worldwide blocks and fields, 98% of our global oil production and 99% of our oil and natural gas reserves.

 

LOGO

We have 430 assets in exploration and production including 132 joint ventures with other oil and gas companies. From the 430 blocks and fields, 406 are under the concession regime, 14 are Production Sharing Agreements and 10 are regulated by Transfer of Rights Agreements.

 

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Exploration and Production assets

(Number of assets)

 

LOGO

Like most major oil and gas companies, we operate in partnerships using E&P consortia in the exploration of blocks and the production of oil fields in Brazil, mainly in ultra-deepwaters.

We lead and operate E&P consortia that are responsible for some major projects under development, such as Mero (Petrobras 40%, Shell 20%, Total 20%, CNODC 10% and CNOOC 10%), Berbigão, Sururu and Atapu (all with Petrobras 42.5%, Shell 25%, Total 22.5% and Petrogal 10%).

These E&P consortia also comprise some of the biggest production fields in Brazil, such as Lula (Petrobras 65%, Shell 25%, Petrogal 10%), Sapinhoá (Petrobras 45%, Shell 30%, Repsol Sinopec 25%), Roncador (Petrobras 75%, Equinor 25%) and Tartaruga Verde (Petrobras 50%, Petronas 50%). We also operate these fields which are under the concession regime in the Pre-salt Polygon area.

 

LOGO

 

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LOGO

Other Basins

We produce oil and gas and hold exploration acreage in 17 other basins in Brazil. The most significant potential for exploratory success within our other basins are the Equatorial Margin and East Margin.

International

Outside Brazil, we have activies in South America, North America and West Africa. We have focused on opportunities to leverage the deepwater expertise we have developed in Brazil. However, since 2012 we have been substantially reducing our international activities through the sale of assets in accordance with our portfolio management.

South America

We conduct exploration and production activities in Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia.

 

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In Argentina, through our subsidiary Petrobras Operaciones S.A., we have a 33.6% working interest in the Rio Neuquén production asset. Our unconventional gas and condensate production is concentrated in the Neuquén Basin. In 2019, our production of oil and gas in Argentina, including NGL, was 7.7 mboed.

In Bolivia, our gas and condensate production comes, among others, mostly from the San Alberto and San Antonio fields with 35% working interest on each of those service operation contracts, which are operated mainly to supply gas to Brazil and Bolivia. In 2019, our production of oil and gas in Bolivia, including NGL, was 27.5 mboed. The return of those contracts is a proportion of the production.

In Colombia, we operate and hold a 44.44% working interest in the Tayrona offshore exploration block, which includes the Orca gas discovery. We also operate and hold a 50% working interest in the Villarica Norte onshore exploration block.

North America

In the United States, we focus on deepwater fields in the Gulf of Mexico, where we have non-consolidated production from the 20% participation of Petrobras America Inc. (“PAI”) in the joint venture with Murphy Exploration & Production Company (“Murphy”), the MPGOM LLC. The main contributors to the production are the Chinook, Saint Malo and Dalmatian fields. In 2019, our 20% participation represents a production of 13.5 mboed, including NGL.

In Mexico, we were party to the non-risk service contracts through our joint venture with PTD Servicios Multiplos SRL for the Cuervito and Fronterizo blocks in the Burgos Basin. This was terminated in March 2019.

West Africa

We used to explore oil and gas opportunities in West Africa exclusively through our 50% equity interest in Petrobras Oil & Gas B.V. (“PO&G”), a joint venture with BTG Pactual. The assets of this joint venture included the Agbami, Akpo, and Egina fields, and the Preowei and Egina South discoveries appraisal projects in Nigeria. In 2019, our 50% participation represents a production of 33.6 mboed, including NGL.

On October 31, 2018, our subsidiary Petrobras International Braspetro BV (”PIBBV”) signed a sale and purchase agreement for the sale of its 50% equity interest in PO&G with Petrovida Holding B.V. (“Petrovida”). Petrovida is owned by Africa Oil Corp. The transaction closed on January 14, 2020.

For more information on our divestments, see “Portfolio Management” in this annual report.

Main Assets

 

     2019      2018      2017  

Exploration and Production

        

Production wells (oil and natural gas)(1)

     6,587        7,256        7,888  

Floating rigs

     16        16        30  

Operated platforms in production(2)

     107        113        114  

 

(1)

Includes information from outside Brazil, corresponding to our shares in affiliated companies.

(2)

Includes only definitive production systems, EWT and EPS units.

 

 

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Exploration

 

LOGO

The oil and gas industry value chain begins in the exploratory phase, with the acquisition of exploratory blocks either through bid rounds conducted by governments or by purchases from other companies.

In Brazil, the Brazilian federal government owns the oil deposits, but companies and consortia are allowed to extract and explore such oil upon payment in several forms, such as royalties. Forms of payment vary depending on the applied regulatory model. Biddings rounds are the main process for the acquisition of rights over the exploratory blocks.

There are currently three regulatory models in Brazil: Concession Agreements; Transfer of Rights Agreements and Production Sharing Agreements. The concession model fully governed the oil and natural gas exploration and production until 2010, when the Brazilian federal government enacted laws establishing Transfer of Rights Agreements and Production Sharing Regimes in the Pre-salt Polygon. Currently, our main production fields follow the concession regime. However, our production fields under the Transfer of Rights Agreement and Production Sharing Regime will represent an important part of our production in the medium and long term.

Projected production by regulatory regime

(2020-2024 Strategic Plan)

 

LOGO

For information on the regulatory models applicable to our exploration and production activities, see “Legal and Tax” in this annual report.

The Transfer of Rights Agreement Amendment

The Transfer of Rights Agreement signed in 2010 between us and the Brazilian federal government is governed by Law No. 12,276/2010. This agreement regulates the transfer of oil and natural gas exploration and production rights in specific pre-salt areas and establishes provisions such as:

 

 

Volume that can be extracted in these areas, up to five billion barrels of oil equivalent;

 

 

Price paid for the Transfer of Rights Agreement;

 

 

Term of the Transfer of Rights Agreement and percentage of local content; and

 

 

Provisions that define a later revision on the following items: value, maximum volume, term and percentage of local content.

As a counterpart to the right of exploration and production, we paid the Brazilian federal government R$74.8 billion (US$42.5 billion as of September 1, 2010).

 

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The Transfer of Rights Agreement defined that the revision of its clauses of value, maximum volume to be produced by area, the term of validity and minimum percentages of local content could occur after the first declaration of an area’s commercial feasibility. We have already declared commercial feasibility in fields of all six blocks provided for in the agreement: Franco (Búzios), Florim (Itapu), Nordeste de Tupi (Sépia), Entorno de Iara (Norte de Berbigão, Sul de Berbigão, Norte de Sururu, Sul de Sururu, Atapu), Sul de Guará (Sul de Sapinhoá) and Sul de Tupi (Sul de Lula).

We acquired a significant volume of information through the drilling of more than 50 wells and long-term production tests and also have extensive knowledge of the Santos Basin pre-salt layer. This allowed us to characterize the existence of volumes exceeding five billion equivalent oil barrels originally contracted (“surplus volume”).

We formed an internal committee, composed of the two directors elected by the minority shareholders, and by an independent external member with notable knowledge in the area of technical and financial analysis of investment projects. The committee was responsible for negotiating the review of the Transfer of Rights Agreement with representatives of the Brazilian federal government.

In November 2019, we signed an amendment to the Transfer of Rights Agreement with the Brazilian federal government. Under this amendment, we maintain the total contracted volume of five billion barrels of oil equivalent, guarantee the reimbursement of US$8.3 billion, and adopt revised local content requirements. In December 2019, we received the amount owed to us by the Brazilian federal government.

For more information on the Transfer of Rights Agreement, see “Legal and Tax” in this annual report.

Bid rounds

We acted selectively in the bidding rounds carried out by the ANP, aiming to reorganize our exploratory portfolio and maintain the relationship between our reserves and our production in order to ensure the sustainability of our future oil and gas production. Our joint operation with important companies in consortia is also aligned with our strategic goal to strengthen partnerships, with the intent to share risks, combine technical and technological skills and capture synergies to leverage results and reflect the importance of these areas in Brazil for world-class oil companies.

In September and October 2017, we acquired 10 new exploratory blocks (nine offshore and one onshore), with a total area of 11.4 thousand km2. In the offshore blocks outside the Pre-salt Polygon, contracted under the concession regime, we hold 50% of the working interest in partnerships with ExxonMobil. Under the Production Sharing Agreements, we acquired three blocks inside the pre-salt area, in partnership with Shell, Repsol Sinopec, CNODC and BP.

In 2018, we acquired 11 new offshore exploratory blocks, with a total area of 8.8 thousand km2. In the Pre-salt Polygon, we acquired four areas under the production sharing regime, in partnerships with Chevron, Shell, Equinor, ExxonMobil, BP and Galp. In the Campos Basin, we acquired four blocks outside of the Pre-salt Polygon, under the concession regime, in partnerships with ExxonMobil, Qatar Petroleum and Equinor. We also acquired three blocks in the Potiguar Basin, two of them in partnership with Shell.

 

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In 2019, the ANP held three bidding rounds for exploratory blocks in Brazil.

The table below summarizes the areas acquired by us in each bidding round.

 

LOGO

 

Round

  

Asset

  

Consortium

  

Bonus

  

Bonus

  

Profit Oil

  

Area Acquired

               (R$ million)    (USD Million)(2)    %    km2

16th Round Concession

   C-M-477   

Petrobras(1) 70%

BP 30%

   1,432    348    n/a    1,363

Transfer of Rights Surplus Production Sharing Bidding Round

   BÚZIOS   

Petrobras(1) 90%

CNOOC 5%

CNODC 5%

   61,375    14,912    23.24    n/a
   ITAPU    Petrobras 100%    1,766    429    18.15    n/a

6th Round Production Sharing

   ARAM   

Petrobras(1) 80%

CNODC 20%

   4,040    982    29.96    4,476

 

(1)

Operator

(2)

Using an exchange rate of R$ 4.1158 per USD for 4Q19

Búzios and Itapu fields

The Búzios field started production in April 2018 and has already produced around 100 million boe. The Búzios field is the largest discovered deepwater field in the world. It has light oil and high productivity wells.

The Búzios field is an asset with significant reserves and low lifting costs. It is economically resilient to a low oil price scenario.

In 2019, we acquired the exploration and production rights of the surplus volume of the Búzios field from the Transfer of Rights Agreement, in a partnership with CNODC Brasil Petróleo e Gás Ltda. (5%) and CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda. (5%). This acquisition is consistent with the strategy of focusing our investments on world class assets. New units will be installed in the field to produce the surplus volume of the Transfer of Rights Agreement. The number and capacity of the new units will be established with the formalization of the co-participation agreement between the consortium participants. The co-participation agreement must be signed until September2021, but we have the agreement with CNODC and CNOOC to conclude it until December 2020. The Chinese partners in the consortium have the right to acquire more 5% of participation, or, if the agreement has not been signed by Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. (“PPSA”) until September 2021, they have the right to leave the consortium.

 

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Additionally, we acquired 100% of the exploration and production rights of Itapu field’s surplus volume. In July 2019 we started the procurement process of the production unit, which will now be responsible for production under the Transfer of Rights Agreement and production of the surplus volumes. The full acquisition of the area is extremely attractive economically, given the low additional investments and the bid conditions.

The bidding round results help us ensure the maintenance of the operation in these fields, which enhance our global leadership in ultra-deepwaters. This is consistent with our strategy of focusing on the exploration and production of world-class offshore assets.

As of December 31, 2019, we had 117 exploratory blocks (39 with 100% working interest) which had 22 discoveries under evaluation. We also had five discoveries being assessed in production areas. We serve as the operator in 52 of these exploration partnership blocks.

The table below breaks down our participation in exploration activities in 2019:

Our participation in exploration activities in 2019

 

     Net exploratory area     

Exploratory blocks

  

Evaluation plans

  

Wells drilled

     (km²)      (number)    (number)    (number)
     2019      2018      2017     

2019

  

2018

  

2017

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

Brazil

     40,625        51,600        41,820      113    133    123    24    26    28    8    8    8

Other S. America

     6,081        6,081        5,425      4    4    2    1    1    1    1    0    1

North America

     0        0        198      0    0    10    0    0    0    0    0    0

Africa

     0        0        0      0    0    0    2    2    2    0    0    0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

TOTAL

     46,706        57,681        47,443      117    137    135    27    29    31    9    8    9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

These investments mainly cover the costs of drilling, seismic surveys and acquisition of blocks, which contributed to the following endeavors.

In 2019, two exploratory wells were drilled in the Moita Bonita Appraisal plan area, Sergipe Basin. These wells confirmed Campanian oil and gas-bearing reservoirs extensions. A Drilling Stem Test (“DST”) in the gas-bearing accumulation has shown encouraging results regarding reservoir continuity and productivity.

An exploratory well was drilled in 2019 in Marlim Leste, Campos Basin. This well confirmed the Aptian pre-salt oil reservoirs extensions discovered. Future extended well testing at the discovery site is intended to provide better measurements to guarantee the project’s economic viability and future resources incorporation.

In order to achieve greater return on invested capital, while always prioritizing safety, the speed at which our new projects are implemented is key. Thus, we have a strategic program (PROD1000) with the objective of reducing the implementation time of our projects, with the ambition to reach 1,000 days between field discovery and the beginning of production, compared to current average for pre-salts of 3,000 days. Our efforts in such program are related to the integration of exploration and production development teams, the optimization of reservoir processes, the standardization of FPSO design, the early supplier engagement, the reduction of the construction time, and the optimization of processes through the use of digital technologies and agile methods. In addition, we are also implementing a strategic program (EXP100) that has the ambition to increase the chance of discovering oil to 100% in exploratory wells, reducing project risks and costs by expediting production development. This program aims to better evaluate the prediction of geological properties through the use of an integrated upstream data platform and high performance computing capacity, that enables the application of more complex algorithms in the processing of large volumes of data.

 

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Production

 

LOGO

Production Development

After a field is declared commercially viable, the process of production development begins. The investments made in this phase are mainly focused on designing and contracting production systems, which includes platforms, subsea systems, drilling, and the completion of wells.

In the last three years, we have installed several major systems, mainly in the pre-salt area of the Santos Basin, which helped to mitigate the Santos Basin’s natural decline. In 2019, we started four new production systems: (i) the P-76 and P-77 platforms, located in the Búzios field; (ii) the P-67 platform, located in the Lula field; and (iii) the P-68, located in the Berbigão and Sururu fields. Those new systems connected 19 new wells (13 production and six injection wells) in our production systems. We expect several major systems to be installed in the next five years.

Over the last nine years, we pursued substantial cost optimizations regarding project development. Time to drill and complete wells in the Santos Basin pre-salt area decreased by 63% in 2019 when compared to 2010. In 2019, we spent an average of 116 days in the drilling and completion of a pre-salt well on the Santos Basin. This helped to significantly reduce our capital expenditures per well. Due to the wells’ high productivity, we have been able to complete the ramp-up of the platforms with fewer wells.

In the Búzios field, we hit a production record with 63 mbbl/d from a single well connected to the P-75 platform. The Búzios field’s greater productivity made the P-75 and P-76 complete their ramp-up with just three wells each. This productivity plus the reduction on FPSO commissioning time allowed us to beat our ramp-up time record twice in 2019. In July, the P-75 reached its production capacity in 8.6 months; in October, the P-76 reached its full capacity in only 7.7 months.

We have installed eight new systems since 2018, including the systems that were implemented in 2019. In total, we have installed 10 new systems throughout the last three years, and expect to install other systems in the next five years.

Currently, we own 89 and lease 18 offshore platforms. Besides those, there are three platforms on fields operated by our partners. In 2019, these 110 platforms had a daily production of 2.09 million barrels of oil and 380.4 million cubic feet of natural gas (discounting the liquefied volume).

Pre-salt and the fields under the transfer of rights fiscal regime will be particularly important to support our production growth.

In 2020, the P-70 platform will be installed in the Atapu field. The P-70 platform has the capacity to process 150 mbbl/d and 6 million m3 of natural gas per day and arrived in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro on January 2020. A dry tow was used to transport the unit from China to Rio de Janeiro. It was loaded on a semi-submersible vessel used to transport heavy cargo instead of being driven by ocean tugs. Due to this transportation method, we were able to reduce the average transportation time from 100 days to around 45 days. Time is an extremely important variable for the return of a project, which highlights the contribution of the decrease in transportation time obtained through the use of dry tow.

As for the production sharing contracts areas, we expect to install the first definitive system in the Mero field in 2021.

 

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Installed Systems since 2010

 

Start up (year)

   Basin    Field/Area    Production unit    Crude oil
nominal
capacity
(bbl/d)
     Gas
nominal
capacity
(mmcf/d)
     Water
depth
(meters)
     Fiscal regime    Main
production
source
   Type

2019

   Santos    Berbigão    Petrobras 68      150,000        211.9        2,280      Concession    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Búzios 4    Petrobras 77      150,000        247        2,000      Transfer of Rights    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Búzios 3    Petrobras 76      150,000        247        2,030      Transfer of Rights    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Lula Norte    Petrobras 67      150,000        211.9        2,130      Concession    Pre-Salt    FPSO

2018

   Campos    Tartaruga Verde    Cid. de Campos dos Goytacazes      150,000        117        765      Concession    Post-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Lula Extremo Sul    Petrobras 69      150,000        211.9        2,200      Concession    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Búzios 1    Petrobras 74      150,000        247        2,005      Transfer of Rights    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Búzios 2    Petrobras 75      150,000        247        2,010      Transfer of Rights    Pre-Salt    FPSO

2017

   Santos    Lula Sul    Petrobras 66      150,000        211.9        2,100      Concession    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Mero    Pioneiro de Libra      50,000        141.3        2,040      Production Sharing    Pre-Salt    FPSO

2016

   Santos    Lula Central    Cidade de Saquarema      150,000        211.9        2,100      Concession    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Lula Alto    Cidade de Maricá      150,000        211.9        2,100      Concession    Pre-Salt    FPSO

2015

   Santos    Lula    Cidade de Itaguaí      150,000        282.5        2,200      Concession    Pre-salt    FPSO

2014

   Santos    Sapinhoá    Cidade de Ilhabela      150,000        211.9        2,140      Concession    Pre-salt    FPSO
   Santos    Lula    Cidade de Mangaratiba      150,000        282.5        2,220      Concession    Pre-salt    FPSO
   Campos    Roncador    Petrobras 62      180,000        211.9        1,600      Concession    Post-salt    FPSO
   Campos    Jubarte    Petrobras 58      180,000        211.9        1,400      Concession    Pre-salt    FPSO

2013

   Campos    Roncador    Petrobras 55      180,000        141.3        1,795      Concession    Post-salt    SS
   Campos    Papa-Terra    Petrobras 63      145,000        35.3        1,200      Concession    Post-salt    FPSO
   Santos    Lula    Cidade de Paraty      120,000        176.6        2,140      Concession    Pre-salt    FPSO
   Santos    Baúna    Cidade de Itajai      80,000        70.6        275      Concession    Post-salt    FPSO
   Santos    Sapinhoá    Cidade de São Paulo      150,000        176.6        2,140      Concession    Pre-salt    FPSO

2012

   Campos    Jubarte    Cidade de Anchieta      100,000        123.6        1,220      Concession    Pre-salt    FPSO

2011

   Campos    Marlim Sul    Petrobras 56      140,000        211.9        1,700      Concession    Post-salt    SS
   Santos    Mexilhão    Mexilhão      20,000        529.7        170      Concession    Post-salt    Fixed

2010

   Campos    Jubarte    Petrobras 57      180,000        70.6        1,260      Concession    Post-salt    FPSO
   Santos    Lula    Cidade de Angra dos Reis      100,000        176.6        2,150      Concession    Pre-salt    FPSO
   Santos    Uruguá /Tambaú    Cidade de Santos      25,000        353.1        1,300      Concession    Post-salt    FPSO
   Campos    Jubarte    Capixaba      110,000        113.0        1,300      Concession    Post-salt    FPSO

Main Systems to be installed until 2024

 

Start up (year)

  

Basin

  

Field/Area

  

Production unit

  

Crude oil
nominal
capacity
(bbl/d)

  

Gas
nominal
capacity
(mmcf/d)

  

Water
depth
(meters)

  

Fiscal regime

  

Main
production
source

  

Type

Expected 2020

   Santos    Atapu 1    Petrobras 70    150,000    211.9    2,300    Transfer of Rights    Pre-Salt    FPSO

Expected 2021

   Santos    Sépia    Carioca    180,000    211.9    2,150    Transfer of Rights    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Mero 1    Guanabara    180,000    423.8    2,100    Production Sharing    Pre-Salt    FPSO

Expected 2022

   Campos    Marlim 1    Anita Garibaldi    80,000    51.2    670    Concession    Post-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Búzios 5    Alm. Barroso    150,000    211.9    2,100    Transfer of Rights    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Lula (Lula Recovery Factor Project)    N/D    150,000    211.9    2,000    Concession    Pre-Salt    FPSO

Expected 2023

   Campos    Parque das Baleias    N/D    100,000    176.6    1,400    Concession    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Mero 2    Sepetiba    180,000    423.8    2,000    Production Sharing    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Campos    Marlim 2    Anna Nery    70,000    33.2    927    Concession    Post-Salt    FPSO

Expected 2024

   Santos    Búzios 6(1)    N/D    150,000    254.3    2,025    Transfer of Rights/Production Sharing    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Santos    Mero 3    N/D    180,000    423.8    2,070    Production Sharing    Pre-Salt    FPSO
   Sergipe Alagoas    SEAP    N/D    120,000    353.1    2,250    Concession    Deepwater    FPSO
   Santos    Itapu    N/D    120,000    106    2,010    Transfer of Rights/ Production Sharing    Pre-Salt    FPSO

 

(1)

Regarding the production system to be installed in the Module 7 area of the Búzios field.

 

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Critical Resources in Exploration and Production

We seek to procure, develop and retain all of the critical resources that are necessary to meet our production targets. Drilling rigs and special vessels are important resources for our exploration and production operations, and are centrally coordinated to assure both technical specifications and proper lead time.

Since 2008, we have grown from three rigs capable of drilling in waters with depth greater than 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) to 15 rigs with this capacity as of December 31, 2019.

We have sufficient rigs to meet our production targets, and we will continue to evaluate our drilling and special vessels demands and will adjust our fleet size as needed.

 

 

Drilling units in use by exploration and production as of December 31,

 

     2019      2018      2017  
     Leased      Owned      Leased      Owned      Leased      Owned  

Brazil

     18        0        17        4        29        7  

Onshore

     2        0        1        3        1        4  

Offshore, by water depth (WD)

     16        0        16        1        28        3  

Jack-up rigs

     0        0        0        0        0        2  

Floating rigs:

     16        0        16        1        28        1  

500 to 999 meters WD

     0        0        1        0        1        0  

1000 to 1999 meters WD

     1        0        2        0        3        1  

2000 to 3200 meters WD

     15        0        13        1        24        0  

Outside Brazil

     1        0        1        0        4        0  

Onshore

     1        0        1        0        3        0  

Offshore

     0        0        0        0        1        0  

Worldwide

     19        0        18        4        33        7  

In order to achieve our production goals, we have also secured a number of specialized vessels (such as Pipe Laying Support Vessels or “PLSVs”) to connect wells to production systems. As of December 31, 2019, we had 13 PLSVs and our specialized vessels were sufficient to meet our needs.

Production

After several years of stagnation, our operating performance has improved significantly, reaching daily, quarterly and annual oil and gas production records. In 2019, our total production of oil and gas, including NGL, was 2.77 mmboed, of which 2.69 mmboed were produced in Brazil and 82.3 mboed were produced abroad, a 5.4% increase compared to 2018. This production growth was due to the ramp-up of the eight new systems in Búzios (P-74, P-75, P-76 and P-77), Lula (P-67 and P-69), Berbigão/Sururu (P-68) and Tartaruga Verde (FPSO Campos dos Goytacazes) fields.

Our 2019 operating performance reflected better results in the second half, leveraged by the ramp-up of new production systems, compensating for the challenges faced during the first half. The oil production in Brazil was 2.17 million bbl/d, 6.7% above production achieved in 2018, exceeding the revised target in July (2.1 million bbl/d). The oil production represented 81% of the average of 2.69 mmboed oil and gas produced in Brazil.

Our production in the pre-salt layer reached 1.28 million bbl/d in 2019, representing an increase of 28.4% in relation to our production in 2018. In 2019, the oil production in the pre-salt layer represented more than half of our total oil production in Brazil,59% compared to 49% in 2018.

 

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Oil and gas production (mboed)

 

     2019      2018      2017      2019 vs 2018  

Crude oil and natural gas—Brazil

     2,688        2,527        2,654        6.4

Crude oil (mbbl/d)(1)

     2,172        2,035        2,154        6.7

Onshore

     124        135        150        -8.1

Shallow waters

     66        90        118        -26.7

Post-salt deep and ultra-deepwaters

     704        816        977        -13.7

Pre-salt

     1,277        994        908        28.5

Natural gas (mboed)

     516        492        500        4.9

Crude oil and natural gas -Abroad

     82        101        112        -18.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,770        2,628        2,767        5.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Including NGL

Pre-salt oil production increased 28.5%, reflecting higher production in the Búzios and Lula fields. The pre-salt area is comprised of large accumulations of light oil, of excellent quality and with high commercial value.

The post-salt oil production, in deep and ultra-deepwaters, decreased by 13.7% . This was due to (i) the closure of the production cycle of platforms P-33 and P-37 (which will be replaced by new units for the Marlim field revitalization project) and (ii) the postponement of new wells on platforms that need adjustments in discharged water processing plants.

Main production fields

 

           

Production units

                 

Basin

 

Field

 

Main
source

 

Owned

 

Capacity
(mbbl/d)

 

Leased

 

Capacity
(mbbl/d)

 

Consortium

 

API
gravity

 

Sulphur
content
(% wt)

  2019 oil
production
(mbbl/d)
 

Santos

  Lula   Pre-salt   3   3 units with 150   6  

1 unit with 100

1 unit with 120

4 units with 150

 

Petrobras (65%),

Shell (25%),

Petrogal (10%)

  28 – 32   0.29 –0.38     615  

Santos

  Búzios   Pre-salt   4   4 units with 150       Petrobras (100%)(1)   28.4   0.31     252  

Santos

  Sapinhoá   Pre-salt       2   2 units with 150  

Petrobras (45%),

Shell (30%),

Repsol Sinopec (25%)

  29.8   0.4     106  

Campos

  Jubarte   Pre-salt   2   2 units with 180   2  

1 unit with 100

1 unit with 110

  Petrobras (100%)   17 – 30   0.29 –0.56     205  

Campos

  Roncador   Post-salt   4  

3 units with 180

1 unit with 190

     

Petrobras (75%),

Equinor (25%)

  17 – 28   0.53 – 0.74     121  

Campos

  Marlim Sul   Post-salt   3  

1 unit with 140

1 unit with 180

1 unit with 200

      Petrobras (100%)   17 – 23   0.59 – 0.73     135  

Campos

  Tartaruga Verde   Post-salt       1   1 unit with 150   Petrobras (100%)(1)   26.9   0.61     94  

Campos

  Marlim   Post-salt   7  

1 unit with 50

1 unit with 75

4 units with 100

1 unit with 180

      Petrobras (100%)   19 – 23   0.68 – 0.77     75  

Campos

  Marlim Leste   Post-salt   1   1 unit with 180   1   1 unit with 100   Petrobras (100%)   23 – 29   0.50 – 0.51     55  

Other pre and post-salt fields

                    324  

Onshore

                      124  

Shallow waters

                      66  
                   

 

 

 

TOTAL

                      2,172  
                   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Including operations in 2019.

Shallow waters oil production decreased by 24 mbbl/d due to the divestment of Polo Pargo, the maintenance stop of the PNA-2 platform and the end of the PNA-1 production. Onshore oil production decreased 11 mbbl/d due to the natural decline in reservoir.

 

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We have produced 91.8 million m3/d of gas in 2019. From that volume, we have used 49 million m3/d in our production processes (reinjected, flared, consumed), and destinated 42.8 million m3/d to our processing plants.

In 2019, our average lifting cost excluding government fees was US$9.5 per boe, 11% less than the average cost of US$10.7 per boe in 2018.

PRODUCTION 2019

 

LOGO

We also carry out limited oil shale mining operations in São Mateus do Sul, in the Paraná Basin of Brazil, and convert the kerogen (solid organic matter) from these deposits into synthetic oil and gas. This operation is conducted in an integrated facility and its final products are fuel gas, liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”), shale naphtha and shale fuel oil. Our business units in Brazil do not utilize the fracking method or the hydraulic fracturing method for oil production, since they are not appropriate in the context of our operations. Also, we do not inject any water or chemicals in the soil in connection with our open pit oil shale mining operations. Our process consists of crushing, screening and subsequently heating all the shale at high temperatures (pyrolysis) and we have in place a proper segregation process for the by-products derived from such process.

For more information on our production of crude oil, natural gas, synthetic oil and synthetic gas by geographic area in 2019, 2018 and 2017, see Exhibit 15.3 to this annual report.

Customers and Competitors

Crude oil is primarily sold through long-term contracts and also in the spot market. Our overseas portfolio includes approximately 60 clients, such as refiners that process or have processed Brazilian oils regularly, distributed throughout the Americas, Europe, China, and Asia.

Oil clients (% vol)

 

LOGO

In the exploration and production industry, we deal with several competitors when we participate in bidding rounds conducted by the ANP.

 

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Reserves

Preparation of reserves estimates

We apply SEC rules [Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-X] for estimating and disclosing oil and natural gas reserve quantities included in this annual report. In accordance with those rules, we estimate reserve volumes by considering average prices calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, except for the reserves of the Amazon fields for which volumes are estimated using gas prices as set forth in our contractual arrangements for the sale of gas. Reserve volumes of non-traditional reserves such as synthetic oil and gas are also included in this annual report in accordance with SEC rules.

We estimate reserves based on forecasts of field production, which depends on an array of technical information, such as seismic surveys, well logs and tests, rock and fluid samples, and geoscience, engineering and economic data. All reserve estimates involve some degree of uncertainty. The uncertainty depends primarily on the amount of reliable geological and engineering data available at the time of the estimate and the interpretation of that data. Our estimates are thus made using the most reliable data and technology at the time of the estimate, in accordance with the best practices in the oil and gas industry and SEC rules and regulations.

Thus, the reserve estimation process begins with an initial evaluation of our assets by geophysicists, geologists and engineers. Reserves coordinators in each business unit in Brazil and the corporate reserves team provide guidance for reserves estimates in compliance with SEC requirements to the asset teams. General managers in our business units in Brazil and executive officers of companies outside Brazil where we have interests are responsible for regional reserves estimates in compliance with SEC requirements. The corporate reserves team is responsible for consolidating our reserves estimates, standardized measures of discounted net cash flows related to proved oil and gas reserves and other information related to proved oil and gas reserves. Our reserves estimates are approved by our Board of Executive Officers, which then informs our Board of Directors about the approval. The technical person primarily responsible for overseeing the preparation of our reserves is the manager of the corporate reserves team, who has a degree in engineering and 17 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.

DeGolyer and MacNaughton (“D&M”) conducted a reserves evaluation of 97% of our net proved crude oil, condensate and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2019 in Brazil. The amount of reserves reviewed by D&M corresponds to 96% of our total proved reserves company-wide on a net equivalent barrel basis. For disclosure describing the qualification of D&M’s technical person primarily responsible for overseeing our reserves evaluation, see Exhibit 99.1 to this annual report.

For a description of the risks relating to our reserves and our reserve estimates, see “Risks” in this annual report.

We discover new areas through exploratory activity. Such areas constitute our fields after the declaration of commerciality. We then prepare a development plan for each field. As projects achieve adequate maturity, proved reserves may be reported.

Our fields’ proved reserves can be later increased with additional drilling, operational optimizations and improved recovery methods, such as water injection, among other activities.

 

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Our net proved oil, condensate and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2019 were estimated at 9,590 million boe.

Proved reserves (million boe)*

 

LOGO

 

*

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

Oil and gas reserves volumes change yearly. Quantities included in our previous year’s reserves that are produced during the year are no longer reserves at year-end. Other factors, such as reservoir performance, revisions in oil prices, discoveries, extensions, purchases and sales of assets that occurred during the year, also influence year-end reserves quantities.

Proved reserves (million boe)(1)

 

LOGO

 

(1)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

(2)

The 913 million boe production volume is the net volume withdrawn from our proved reserves. It therefore excludes NGL, as we estimate our oil and gas reserves at a reference point located prior to the gas processing plants, except for the United States of America and Argentina. The production does not consider injected gas volumes, production of EWTs in exploratory blocks and production in Bolivia, since Bolivian reserves are not included in our reserves due to restrictions determined by Bolivian Constitution.

 

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In 2019, we incorporated 944 million boe of proved reserves by revising previous estimates, including:

 

 

addition of 529 million boe resulting from technical revisions, mainly due to good performance and increased production experience in reservoirs in the pre-salt layer of Santos Basin;

 

 

addition of 267 million boe related to contractual revisions, including the rearrangement of volumes due to the revision of Transfer of Rights Agreement and renewals of concession contracts in Brazil;

 

 

addition of 243 million boe due to approvals of new projects in the Santos, Campos and Espírito Santo Basins; and

 

 

reduction of 95 million boe related to economic revisions, mainly due to the decrease in oil prices.

In addition, we added 26 million boe to our proved reserves due to extensions and discoveries, mainly in the pre-salt of Santos Basin, and reduced 72 million boe due to sales of proved reserves.

RESERVES INDEXES 2019

 

LOGO

Proved Undeveloped Reserves

As of December 31, 2019, our proved undeveloped reserves were estimated at 3,553 million boe, a net decrease of 19% when compared to 2018 year-end. This decrease is a result of the following changes:

 

 

we converted a total of 1,701 million boe of proved undeveloped reserves to proved developed reserves, mainly as a result of pre-salt fields platforms start-ups in the Santos Basin and offshore and onshore drilling and tieback operations;

 

 

we incorporated 867 million boe into our proved undeveloped reserves as a result of revisions to previous estimates, including: technical revisions (580 million boe), mainly due to the good performance and increased production experience in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin; new project approvals (241 million boe) in the Santos, Campos and Espírito Santo Basins; contractual revisions (59 million boe); and a reduction of 12 million boe due to economic revisions.

 

 

we added 20 million boe to our proved undeveloped reserves due to extensions and discoveries, mainly in the pre-salt of the Santos Basin; and

 

 

we reduced 22 million boe from our proved undeveloped reserves as a result of sales of proved reserves.

 

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Variation in proved undeveloped reserves (million boe)(1)

 

LOGO

 

(1)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

As of December 31, 2019, 42% (1,489 million boe) of our proved undeveloped reserves have remained undeveloped for five years or more, mainly due to the inherent complexity of ultra-deepwater development projects in giant fields, particularly in the Santos and Campos Basins, in which we are investing in the required infrastructure.

In 2019, we invested a total of US$7.0 billion in development projects, of which 98% (US$6.8 billion) was invested in Brazil.

Most of our investments relate to long-term development projects, which are developed in phases due to the large volumes and extensions involved, the deep and ultra-deepwater infrastructure and the production resources complexity. In these cases, the full development of the reserves related to these investments can exceed five years.

For further information on our reserves, see the unaudited section “Supplementary Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production” in our audited consolidated financial statements.

Oil and Gas Additional Information

The following tables show (i) the number of gross and net productive oil and natural gas wells and (ii) total gross and net developed and undeveloped oil and natural gas acreage in which we had working interests as of December 31, 2019. A gross well or acre is a well or acre where we own a working interest, while the number of net wells or acres is the sum of fractional working interests in gross wells or acres. We do not have any material acreage expiring before 2025.

 

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Gross and net productive wells

 

     As of December 31, 2019  
     Oil      Natural gas      Synthetic oil      Synthetic
gas
 
     Gross      Net      Gross      Net      Gross      Net      Gross      Net  

Consolidated subsidiaries

                       

Brazil

     5,870        5,841        346        339        —          —          —          —    

International

                       

South America (outside of Brazil)

     55        24        197        96        —          —          —          —    

Total international

     55        24        197        96        —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total consolidated

     5,925        5,864        543        435        —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity method investees:

                       

South America (outside of Brazil)

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —    

North America

     42        5,0        1        0,1        —          —          —          —    

Africa

     67        4        —          —          —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gross and net productive wells

     6,034        5,874        544        435        —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross and net developed and undeveloped acreage

 

     As of December 31, 2019  
     Developed acreage      Undeveloped acreage  

Acreage (in acres)

   Gross      Net      Gross      Net  

Consolidated

           

Brazil

     4,664,280.7        4,168,906.0        559,717.3        461,612.3  

South America (outside of Brazil)

     2,304.0        774.1        2,310.0        776.2  

Total consolidated

     4,666,584.7        4,169,680.1        562,027.3        462,388.5  

Equity method investees

           

Africa

     35,978.3        2,575.3        —          —    

North America

     23,024.0        2,354.6        153,336.0        15,067.7  

Total equity method investees

     59,002.3        4,929.9        153,336.0        15,067.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gross and net acreage

     4,725,587.0        4,174,610.0        715,363.3        477,456.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For “net” figures, we used our working interest held on December 31, 2019. The division in oil and gas in the acreage table was not included because, usually, oil and gas are produced from the same acreage. Gross and net developed and undeveloped acreage presented in this table does not include exploratory areas.

 

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The following table sets forth the number of net productive and dry exploratory and development wells drilled in the last three years.

Net productive and dry exploratory and development wells

 

     2019      2018      2017  

Net productive exploratory wells drilled:

        

Consolidated subsidiaries:

        

Brazil

     5.5        4.0        7.0  

South America (outside of Brazil)

     1.0            

Total consolidated subsidiaries

     6.5        4.0        7.0  

Equity method investees:

        

North America(1)

     —          —          —    

Africa

     —          —          —    

Total productive exploratory wells drilled

     6.5        4.0        7.0  

Net dry exploratory wells drilled:

        

Consolidated subsidiaries:

        

Brazil

     1.0        4.0        0.4  

South America (outside of Brazil)

     —          —          0.4  

Total consolidated subsidiaries

     1.0        4.0        0.8  

Equity method investees:

        

North America(1)

     —          —          —    

Africa

     —          —          —    

Total dry exploratory wells drilled

     1.0      4.0        0.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total number of net exploratory wells drilled

     7.5        8.0        7.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net productive development wells drilled:

        

Consolidated subsidiaries:

        

Brazil

     98.3        103.7        174.8  

South America (outside of Brazil)

          3.7        2.7  

Total consolidated subsidiaries

     98.3        107.4        177.5  

Equity method investees:

        

North America(1)

     0.14        0.1        0.6  

Africa

     0.6        0.4        1.0  

Total productive development wells drilled

     99.04        107.9        179.1  

Net dry development wells drilled:

        

Consolidated subsidiaries:

        

Brazil

     —          —          —    

South America (outside of Brazil)

     —          —          —    

Total consolidated subsidiaries

     —          —          —    

Equity method investees:

     —          —          —    

North America(1)

     —          —          —    

Africa

     —          —          —    

Total dry development wells drilled

     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total number of net development wells drilled

     99.04        107.9        179.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)   Due to the joint venture formed by PAI and Murphy, information regarding proved reserves, acreage and wells in the United States are reported in the “equity method investees” section. For “net” figures, we used the working interest held as of December 31, 2019.

 

 

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The following table summarizes the number of wells in the process of being drilled as of December 31, 2019.

Number of wells being drilled as of December 31, 2019

 

     Year-end
2019
 
     Gross      Net  

Wells Drilling

     

Consolidated Subsidiaries:

     

Brazil

     7.0        5.45  

International:

     

South America (outside of Brazil)

     1.0        1.0  

North America

     1.0        0.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total wells drilling

     9.0        6.65  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table sets forth our average sales prices and average production costs by geographic area and by product type for the last three years.

Average sales prices and average production costs (US$)

 

     Brazil      South
America
     North
America
     Total      Equity
method
investees(2)
 

2019

              

Average sales prices

              

Oil and NGL, per barrel

     61.25        36.89        —          61.25        64.71  

Natural gas, per thousand cubic feet(1)

     7.72        3.65        —          7.55        2.60  

Synthetic oil, per barrel

     50.55        —          —          50.55        —    

Synthetic gas, per thousand cubic feet

     3.53        —          —          3.53        —    

Average production costs, per barrel – total

     7.05        4.69        —          7.02        31.20  

2018

              

Average sales prices

     66.66        42.44        67.21        66.65        72.76  

Oil and NGL, per barrel

     7.15        4.09        3.56        7.00        0.76  

Natural gas, per thousand cubic feet(1)

              

Synthetic oil, per barrel

     60.04        —          —          60.04        —    

Synthetic gas, per thousand cubic feet

     4.47        —          —          4.47        —    

Average production costs, per barrel – total

     10.21        4.57        9.75        10.11        31.85  

2017

              

Average sales prices

              

Oil and NGL, per barrel

     50.48        34.18        47.92        50.42        53.87  

Natural gas, per thousand cubic feet(1)

     6.30        3.53        3.31        6.10        —    

Synthetic oil, per barrel

     42.42        —          —          42.42        —    

Synthetic gas, per thousand cubic feet

     3.97        —          —          3.97        —    

Average production costs, per barrel – total

     11.15        3.65        9.17        10.99        27.00  

 

(1)

The volumes of natural gas used in the calculation of this table are the production volumes of natural gas available for sale and are also shown in the production table above. Natural gas amounts were converted from bbl to cubic feet in accordance with the following scale: 1 bbl = 6 cubic feet.

(2)

Operations in Venezuela until 2016, in Africa until October 2018, and in the United States from December 2018, following the creation of a joint venture with Murphy, in which our wholly-owned subsidiary PAI has a 20% stake.

 

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For more information about our capitalized exploration costs, see Note 26 to our audited consolidated financial statements and the unaudited supplementary information on oil and gas exploration and production contained in our audited consolidated financial statements.

Refining, Transportation and Marketing

We processed 71% of all our oil production, which includes oil and LNG and excludes natural gasoline (“C5+”), in our refineries. The remainder was exported. In 2019, our production of oil products of 1.779 million bbl/d from the processing of 90% of Brazilian oil, complemented with imported oil. We traded these oil products both in Brazil and abroad.

Furthermore, we operate in the petrochemical sector with interests in companies, as well as in the production of biofuels through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Petrobras Biocombustível S.A. (“PBIO”).

Overview

We own and operate 13 refineries in Brazil, with a total net crude distillation capacity of 2,176 mbbl/d. This represents 99% of all refining capacity in Brazil, according to the 2019 statistical yearbook published by the ANP.

Most of our refineries are located near our crude oil pipelines, storage facilities, refined product pipelines and major petrochemical facilities, easing access to crude oil supplies and end-users.

We also operate a large and complex infrastructure of pipelines and terminals, and a shipping fleet to transport oil products and crude oil to Brazilian and global markets. We operate 44 of our own terminals through our wholly-owned subsidiary Petrobras Transporte S.A. (“Transpetro”), and we have contracts for the use of some of the storage capacity of 19 third-party terminals.

 

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LOGO

 

*

Operated by Transpetro, a 100% Petrobras subsidiary

 

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Our Refining, Transportation and Marketing also include activities such as (i) petrochemicals (ii) extraction and processing of shale and (iii) production of biofuels.

We are repositioning ourselves in the refining business through divestment, a strategy which allows us to share risks and the establishment of a dynamic, competitive and efficient industry, while generating liquidity for us.

In line with our repositioning process, in June 2019, we signed a commitment with the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (“CADE”) which consolidates our understanding on the execution of divestment of refining assets in Brazil. The purpose of the agreement is to provide competitive conditions, encouraging new economic agents to enter the downstream market, as well as suspending the CADE’s court administrative investigation related to the alleged abuse of our dominant position in the refining segment. The agreement considers the divestment of approximately 50% of our refining capacity. We intend to divest from seven refining units (Reman, Lubnor, Rnest, Rlam, Regap, Repar and Refap) and a shale industrialization unit (SIX).

For more information on our partnerships and divestments, see “Portfolio Management” in this annual report.

Main Assets

 

     2019      2018      2017  

Transport and storage

        

Pipelines (km)

     7,719        7,719        7,719  

Vessel fleet (owned and chartered)

     128        123        128  

Own

     45        43        39  

Chartered

     83        80        89  

Terminals

     63        56        55  

Own

     44        44        44  

Third party’s(1)

     19        9        8  

Refining

        

Refineries

     13        14        14  

Brazil

     13        13        13  

Abroad

     —          1        1  

Nominal installed capacity (mbbl/d)

     2,176        2,276        2,276  

Brazil

     2,176        2,176        2,176  

Abroad

     —          100        100  

 

(1)

Third party terminals that have existing contracts for the use of the storage service, except Transpetro contracts.

 

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Refining

 

LOGO

We serve our oil products clients in Brazil through a coordinated combination of oil processing, importing and exporting that seeks to optimize our margins, considering different opportunity costs of domestic and imported oil, oil products in the several markets, as well as the costs for transport, storage and processing involved.

In 2019, we processed 1,720 mbbl/d of oil in our 13 refineries, based on the processing of 91% of domestic oil. The following graphs show the processed feedstock and the performance of our refineries.

Processed feedstock (mbbl/d)

 

LOGO

In 2019, there was an increase in the production of oil products and utilization factor of the refining system as compared to 2018. The higher production volume was directed to the export of bunker oil and high octane gasoline, which is valued in the U.S. market.

Diesel output fell due to the use of some of its streams to produce 0.5% bunker according to IMO 2020 specifications and the lower availability of the refining system. Diesel sales in 2019 dropped compared to 2018, with an increased portion of imported diesel.

The volume of gasoline production remained stable between 2019 and 2018. There was a drop in sales due to the higher market share of importers and hydrated ethanol. This drop was offset by an increase in exports of 34 mbbl/d.

Fuel oil production increased in 2019 due to the bunker oil price rose in the global market, which brought fuel oil export opportunities in particular to Singapore. There was a drop in sales volume in the Brazilian market between 2019 and 2018 due to lower deliveries for thermal power generation.

Naphtha production increased in 2019, enabling the reduction of imports compared to 2018.

LPG production and sales remained stable in 2019 and 2018.

In 2019, there was a decrease in the production of jet fuel following the reduction in sales due to a retraction in demand.

In addition to constructing new refineries, over the past 10 years, we have made substantial investments in our existing refineries to increase our capacity to economically process heavier Brazilian crude oil, improve the quality of our oil products to meet stricter regulatory standards, modernize our refineries, and reduce the environmental impact of our refining operations. These investments in our existing refineries have been largely completed.

 

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The following table sets out the performance of our refineries.

Performance of refineries

 

     Crude
distillation
capacity
(mbbl/d)
     Nelson
Complexity
Index
     Average throughput(1)
(mbbl/d)
     Operational
availability

%
     Utilization rate %  

Refinery

   2019      2019      2019      2018      2017      2019      2018      2017      2019      2018      2017  

LUBNOR

     8        3.5        7        8        7        95.3        97.5      98.0        82.7        94.5        89.9  

RECAP

     57        6.8        50        50        50        96.2        97.6      97.5      87.8        93.1        94.0  

REDUC

     239        14.9        190        190        178        96.9        95.3        93.9        79.5        79.7      74.5  

REFAP

     201        5.7        138        135        138        93.7        95.8        97.3      68.8        66.8        68.4  

REGAP

     157        7.8        134        141        143        96.3        97.7        97.2        85.3        89.7      91.0  

REMAN

     46        1.8        32        30        32        97.9        97.1        97.6        69.1        64.3        69.8  

REPAR

     208        7.7        168        173        162        94.2        96.6        96.0        80.9        83.1      78  

REPLAN

     434        6.9        326        286        324        96.2        87.2        95.7        75.2        68.8      77.9  

REVAP

     252        8.5        185        213        208        94.5        96.5        94.8        73.5        84.8      82.8  

RLAM

     279        7.7        206        201        198        92.9        95.2        93.9        73.9        63.8        62.7  

RPBC

     170        9.6        133        140        144        95.3        97.5        96.9      78.3        82.4        85.0  

RPCC

     38        1.0        32        32        33        —          —          98.7      —          —          87.8  

RNEST

     88        8.5        74        67        68        97.8        94.6      94.6      84.4        90.2        92.4  

Average crude oil throughput

     —          —          1,675        1,664        1,686        —          —        —          —        —        —  

Average NGL throughput

     —          —          45        51        50        —          —          —          —        —          —    

Average throughput

     —          —          1,72        1,715        1,736        —          —          —          —        —          —  

Crude Distillation capacity

     2,176        —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —        —  

 

(1)

Considers oil and NGL processing (fresh feedstock).

Main products, markets and storage capacity of our refinaries

 

               Storage capacity
(mbbl)
 

Refinery

  

Main products

  

Main markets in Brazil

   Crude
oil
     Oil
products
 

LUBNOR

  

Asphalt (45%); Fuel Oil (31%); Lubricants (12%); Diesel (11%)

  

Lubricant Oil – sold to distributors and marketed nationwide

  

 

0.3

 

  

 

0.6

 

  

Asphalts – states in Northern and Northeastern Brazil and Minas Gerais

RECAP   

Diesel (44%); Gasoline (34%); LPG (8%)

  

Part of the São Paulo metro region and petrochemical plants

     0.5        1.8  

REDUC

  

Diesel (23%); Gasoline (15%); Fuel Oil (15%); LPG – Jet Fuel—Naphtha (10%)

  

Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Ceará, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul

     5.7        12.5  

REFAP

  

Diesel (50%); Gasoline (26%); LPG (7%)

  

Rio Grande do Sul, part of Santa Catarina and Paraná, in addition to other states by means of coastal shipping

     3.2        1.4  

REGAP

  

Diesel (45%); Gasoline (25%); Jet Fuel (8%); LPG (7%)

  

Currently supplies the state of Minas Gerais and, occasionally, the state of Espírito Santo. It can also expand its reach to the Rio de Janeiro market

     1.7        6.0  

REMAN

  

Gasoline (36%); Diesel (28%); Naphtha (10%); Jet Fuel (9%); Fuel Oil (8%)

  

Amazonas, Acre, Roraima, Rondônia, Amapá and Pará

     0.7        1.5  

REPAR

  

Diesel (46%); Gasoline (27%); LPG (8%)

  

Paraná, Santa Catarina, Southern São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul

     2.9        1.9  

REPLAN

  

Diesel (43%); Gasoline (24%); LPG – Jet Fuel (7%)

  

Countryside of the state of São Paulo, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Rondônia and Acre, Southern Minas Gerais and the so-called “Triângulo Mineiro”, Goiás, Brasília, and Tocantins

     6.7        12.9  

 

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               Storage capacity
(mbbl)
 

Refinery

  

Main products

  

Main markets in Brazil

   Crude
oil
     Oil
products
 

REVAP

  

Diesel (28%); Gasoline (22%); Jet Fuel (14%); Fuel Oil (13%) Diesel (35%); Fuel Oil (28%);

  

Paraíba Valley, the northern coast of the state of São Paulo, southern Minas Gerais, the São Paulo metro region, Midwestern Brazil and Southern Rio de Janeiro. It supplies 80% of the demand for jet fuel in the São Paulo state market and 100% of the Guarulhos International Airport

     3.3        12.0  

RLAM

  

Gasoline (22%); LPG (7%)

  

Primarily the northeastern region of Brazil, followed by the north region and the state of Minas Gerais

     (1)        4.3  

RPBC

  

Diesel (46%); Gasoline (29%); Fuel Oil (9%); LPG (6%)

  

Most products are intended for São Paulo’s capital. A portion is also shipped to Santos and to the Northern, Northeastern, and Southern Brazilian regions

     2.5        6.8  

RPCC

  

Fuel Oil (67.5%); Diesel (15%); Jet Fuel (11.5%); Gasoline (6%)

  

Rio Grande do Norte and southern Ceará

     0.12        0.12  

RNEST

  

Diesel (66%); Naphtha (15%); Coke (10%); Fuel Oil (6%)

  

North and Northeast of Brazil

     (2)        0.7  

 

(1)

Crude oil is supplied directly to RLAM tank farms of 4.1 mbbl, with no external crude oil storage.

(2)

Crude oil is supplied directly to RNEST’s tank farms of 5.1 mbbl, with no external crude oil storage.

The Pasadena refinery was sold on May 1, 2019 to Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (“Chevron”) for US$467 million, which included the sale of the Pasadena Refining System (“PRSI”). Therefore, Chevron began operating the Pasadena refinery.

With respect to oil products, we produced 1,779,000 bbl/d of oil products in 2019, as shown in the following graphic:

Oil products production (mbbl/d)

 

LOGO

International Maritime Organization

In 2016, the International Maritime Organization (“IMO”) decided to reduce the allowable upper limit for sulfur content in marine fuels (bunker fuel) from 3.5% to 0.5% from January 1, 2020 on.

From 2017 to the first quarter of 2019, we carried out studies and analyses in order to prepare our refineries and logistics to produce and deliver a compliant fuel. Furthermore, our increasing production of oil from pre-salt has low sulfur, allowing us to obtain fuel oil that already practically meets the bunker fuel specifications without requiring the addition of high amounts of diluents which give us a competitive edge in the global market.

 

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We have a competitive advantage in the production of the IMO 2020 compliant marine fuel, allowing us to anticipate the market trend and satisfying the needs of our clients.

On October 1, 2019, we started selling bunker fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 0.5% (Low Sulfur Fuel Oil – LSFO) in all Brazilian ports. We began doing this 90 days before the deadline set by the IMO.

In the last quarter of 2019, the demand for LSFO increased in all ports where we offered the product while the international prices have risen significantly.

By December 2019, the appreciation of the cargo exports of fuel oils reached US$80 per ton higher than gasoil low sulfur (10 parts per million).

Ongoing undertakings

In the last few years, we initiated the construction of GASLUB Itaboraí, previously denominated COMPERJ, to process our domestically produced heavy oil for oil products that were in highest demand in the Brazilian market and with growing shortage.

Located in southeastern Brazil (Itaboraí, in the state of Rio de Janeiro), the GASLUB Itaboraí project is comprised of the GASLUB Itaboraí Refinery, UPGNs and other underlying utilities. With respect to UPGN, in 2019, all critical bidding for UPGN utilities was successfully completed and the unit start up is scheduled for 2021. We are studying project alternatives for the GASLUB Itaboraí area that include integration with the refinery operating in Duque de Caxias (REDUC) for the production of basic lubricants G-II and high quality fuels.

In October, 2019, we entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Equinor ASA (“Equinor”), to maximize value in the downstream segment of both companies through natural gas thermoelectric generation projects as well as feasibility studies related to gas processing assets and pipelines in TECAB (Cabiúnas Terminal in Macaé, RJ) and GASLUB Itaboraí, where an UPGN is under construction, both belonging to Petrobras.

Logistics

 

LOGO

Oil and oil products logistics connect the oil production systems to refineries and markets, seeking to minimize the costs involved with transportation and storage. The system seeks to optimize the result of oil refining operations and the commercialization of oil and oil products in Brazil and abroad.

We directly manage some assets of this system, while we contract others with our wholly owned subsidiary Petrobras Transporte S.A. (“Transpetro”).

Transpetro is a logistics company which performs operations for the storage and handling of oil and its derivates, ethanol, gas and biofuels for the supply of Brazilian machinery, thermoelectric and refineries, including import and export activities.

The terminals and pipelines operation is an important link in our supply chain. The oil is transported from the production fields to Transpetro terminals either by pipeline or by ship. From there, it is transported to refineries or for export. After refining, the oil products are again drained through pipelines to the terminals to be delivered to fuel distribution companies, which supply the Brazilian and global markets.

This operation covers a 7,719 km pipeline network and 44 terminals, 24 of which are marine and 20 onshore. The terminals have a total nominal storage capacity of 10.24 million m3. In 2019, Transpetro handled 567.2 million m3 of oil and oil products, totaling 8,161 operations with tankers and oil barges.

 

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Volume moved at terminals and pipelines (million m3)

 

LOGO

In 2019, we launched the Integrated Pipeline Protection Program (“Pró-Dutos”), which aims to expand and integrate all of our actions to mitigate the risks caused by illegal taps (thefts) of oil and oil products in its onshore pipelines. The scope of Pró-Dutos is multidisciplinary and, therefore, we act preventively with several actions, focusing on six areas: intelligence, legislation, social responsibility, communication, technology and contingency. We seek, in cooperation with public intelligence and security agencies, to reduce theft of oil and oil products by 75% by December 2021. Alongside the integrity of our operations our key concern is to protect life and the environment around the regions where we operate.

In 2019, we managed to reduce the number of incidents of oil and derivatives thefts by 22% compared to the 261 thefts that occurred in 2018 and reduced the volume of oil and derivatives stolen by 35% compared to the 10.8 million liters of products stolen in 2018. We also launched a wide range advertising campaign to raise public awareness of this type of risk, which has encouraged the population to collaborate through our communication channel, telephone 168, effectively reporting criminal actions. We also reviewed and improved our crisis management procedures and responding to emergencies caused by theft. In 2019, 3 emergency drills were conducted with a focus on illegal taps.

 

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Terminals

 

Location

  

Terminal

  

Type

  

Nominal capacity (m³)

Alagoas

   Maceió    Marine    58.266

Amazonas

   Manaus (REMAN)    Marine   
   Coari    Marine    81,705

Bahia

   Candeias    Onshore    36,472
   Itabuna    Onshore    28,845
   Jequié    Onshore    28,111
   Madre de Deus    Marine    663,582

Ceará

   Mucuripe    Marine   

Espírito Santo

   Barra do Riacho    Marine    107,883
   Norte Capixaba    Marine    85,205
   Vitória    Marine    10,706

Distrito Federal

   Brasília    Onshore    72,309

Goiás

   Senador Canedo    Onshore    127,449

Maranhão

   São Luís    Marine    78,895

Minas Gerais

   Uberaba    Onshore    54,615
   Uberlândia    Onshore    47,226

Pará

   Belém    Marine    48,100

Paraíba

   Cabedelo    Marine    10,745

Pernambuco

   Suape    Marine    108,713

Paraná

   Paranaguá    Marine    204,499

Rio de Janeiro

   Ilha d’ Água    Marine    179,150
   Angra dos Reis    Marine    1,004,861
   Campos Elíseos    Onshore    547,243
   Ilha Redonda    Marine    81,833
   Japeri    Onshore    37,729
   Volta Redonda    Onshore    29,649

Rio Grande do Norte

   Guamaré    Marine    258,521
   Osório    Marine    842,100

Rio Grande do Sul

   Niterói    Marine    26,978
   Rio Grande    Marine    101,408

Santa Catarina

   Biguaçu    Onshore    37,916
   Itajaí    Onshore    56,806
   Guaramirim    Onshore    18,926
   São Francisco do Sul    Marine    472,408

Sergipe

   Aracaju    Marine    156,940

São Paulo

   Santos    Marine    382,561
   São Sebastião    Marine    2,041,906
   Barueri    Onshore    206,262
   Cubatão    Onshore    160,836
   Guararema    Onshore    1,030,673
   Guarulhos    Onshore    164,194
   Paulínia    Onshore    274,349
   Ribeirão Preto    Onshore    50,826
   São Caetano do Sul    Onshore    227,496
  

 

  

 

  

 

Total

   44    —      10,244,896
  

 

  

 

  

 

In 2019, Transpetro received the last two ships from its fleet modernization program. Transpetro’s transport capacity, when combined with the wholly-owned subsidiary Transpetro International B.V.–TIBV, is 4.8 million deadweight tonnage, through 59 vessels (owned and chartered). Additionally, we have 69 more vessels chartered by us. These vessels are used both for the flow of offshore production and for the transportation of oil and oil products, LPG and ethanol to supply the Brazilian and global markets.

For more information on the vessels chartered or owned by us and Transpetro, see Exhibit 15.4 to this annual report.

 

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Marketing

 

LOGO

 

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Sales volumes of oil products to Brazilian market, per product and total in the year*

(mbbl/d)

 

LOGO

 

 

*

Due to the diverstment of Petrobras Distribuidora, the data for 2017 and 2018 do not consider its sales.

 

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LOGO

 

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Besides oil and oil products, we also trade natural gas, nitrogen fertilizers, renewables and other products.

Brazilian sales volumes and exports (mbbl/d)

 

     2019      2018      2017  

Total oil products

     1,738        1,787        1,815  

Ethanol, nitrogen fertilizers, renewables and other products

     7        17        96  

Natural gas

     350        345        361  

Total Brazilian market

     2,095        2,149        2,272  

Exports(1)

     735        594        659  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Brazilian market and exports

     2,830        2,743        2,931  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

It mainly includes crude oil and oil products.

Oil products prices

Crude oil is a commodity, the value of which depends on its quality. A lighter crude oil has a better value than a heavier one, given that it can generate higher value products. A low-sulfur crude oil also has a better value than oil with a higher sulfur content. Different refineries assign different values to the same crude oil, depending on their conversion capacity and the products they intend to produce to supply their specific market. Refineries can process a wide variety of different crude oils, which make different crude oils competitors among themselves.

Crude oils are globally traded and their prices used to be referenced on international quotations, as WTI, Brent or Dubai. Depending on the quality, offer, demand, size lot, commercial conditions and logistics costs to make a crude oil cargo available at a certain delivery point, a premium or a discount negotiated between buyer and seller will be added to the reference quotation.

Refined oil products are commodities and their prices in the global market are driven by the supply and demand balance, crude oil price and crack spread. Crack spread refers to the overall pricing difference between a barrel of crude oil and oil products refined from it. It is an industry-specific type of gross processing margin. The “crack” being referred to is an industry term for breaking apart crude oil into the component products, including gases like propane, heating fuel, gasoline, light distillates like jet fuel, intermediate distillates like diesel fuel and heavy distillates like grease. Typically, a crack is defined in terms of one specific product versus one specific crude. For example, the diesel crack on Brent indicates how much the price of the individual product is contributing to refining profitability.

The price of a barrel of crude oil and the various prices of the products refined from it are not always in perfect synchronization. Depending on seasonality and global inventories among other factors, the supply and demand for particular distillates results in pricing changes that can impact the profit margins on a barrel of crude oil for the refiner.

As oil products are traded globally and can be transported between markets, prices around the world tend to fluctuate together.

Therefore, the oil products in Brazil are priced to the parity with international prices.

Diesel and Gasoline

Diesel and gasoline prices are defined taking into account the international parity price and margins to remunerate the risks inherent in the operation.

In 2019, we announced adjustments to selling prices at refineries, resulting in price increases of 27.1% for gasoline and 28.9% for diesel, when comparing prices in place on December 31, 2019 with those effective as of December 31, 2018.

In addition, we have the option to use derivatives, aiming to give additional flexibility to the management of prices of these products. The derivative mechanism may be applied in times of high market volatility in order to achieve a result equivalent to those that would be obtained through daily adjustments, a practice that also remains an option for us, in this case, the derivative mechanism can not be used for speculation purposes.

 

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LPG

In August 2019, the price for the sale of LPG to distributors marketed began to be defined considering the international parity price and margins to remunerate the risks inherent in the operation. Price adjustments are made without defined periodicity, according to market conditions and analysis of internal and external environments.

Imports, Exports, and International Sales

Our import and export of crude and oil products are driven by economic factors involving our domestic refining, the Brazilian demand levels and international prices. Most of the crude oil we produce in Brazil is classified as medium API gravity. We import some light crude oil to balance the slate for our refineries, and export mainly medium crude oil from our production in Brazil. In addition, we continue to import oil products to balance any shortfall between production from our Brazilian refineries and the market demand for each product.

In 2019, net exports increased by 138,000 bbl/d, reaching 381,000 bbl/d. This level represented the monthly record for oil exports and it encompasses an increase in gasoline exports and an increase in chain exports for bunker formulation 0.5% due to the appreciation caused by the entry of IMO 2020. In addition, there was a drop in naphtha imports due to the Brazilian market’s own production.

We also export oil products from our refineries.

Exports and imports of crude oil and oil products (mbbl/d)

 

     2019      2018      2017  

Exports

        

Crude oil

     536        428        512  

Fuel oil

     133        121        119  

Other oil products

     66        43        28  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total exports

     735        592        659  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Imports

        

Crude oil

     168        154        127  

Diesel

     70        59        12  

Gasoline

     28        19        11  

Other oil products

     88        117        158  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total imports

     354        349        308  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our crude oil, oil products and LNG trading activities aim to meet our internal demands or potential businesses opportunities identified by our commercial teams, seeking to optimize the buying and selling operations in the Brazilian and global markets, as well as offshore operations.

The international trading teams are based in the major global commercial hubs of oil and oil products, such as London, Houston and Singapore, Rotterdam and Buenos Aires, and are comprised of crude oil and product traders, shipping and support operators.

Our most representative trade in terms of volume and profitability is crude oil. We sell crude oil through long-term and spot-market contracts. In 2019, the crude oil volume committed through long-term contracts with fixed quantity subject to final agreement on commercial terms is approximately 200 mbbl/d and the volume committed through long-term contracts subject to mutual agreement is expected to be around 60 mbbl/d. Considering the planned processing rates of our refineries for the coming year and considering the impacts of the divestment projects, we believe that our production will be sufficient to allow us to continue delivering all contracted volumes.

 

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Distribution

 

LOGO

We sell our oil products to several distribution companies in Brazil. Until July 2019, we had a 71.25% stake in Petrobras Distribuidora (“BRDT”), one of the largest distribution companies in the country. As a result of the follow-on offering closed in July 2019, the first privatization of a state-owned company through capital markets in the history of Brazil, we have a 37.5% participation in BRDT as of December 31, 2019.

Even after completing the sale of part of our shareholding in BRDT, we remain the owner of the main brands used by it, including those that identify service stations, fuel, loyalty program, aviation segments and certification program, among others.

A 10-year trademark license agreement, is in place and grants BRDT a non-exclusive, paid, temporary license on certain trademarks we own, including but not limited to “Petrobras,” “Petrobras Podium,” “Petrobras Premmia,” “De Olho no Combustível,” “BR Aviation” and “Petrobras Grid.” The trademark license agreement was renegotiated before the follow on to incorporate changes necessary for both companies. It was signed in 2019, and is renewable for an additional 10-year period. Under the terms of this agreement, the license is granted exclusively to the service station and aviation segments, for which BRDT shall exclusively use the brands licensed by us. BRDT must also exclusively use our licensed brands in the oil and gas and biofuels segments. Meanwhile, during the term of the trademark license agreement, we undertake to refrain from operating in the service stations across the Brazilian territory. The definition of a “service station” under this agreement is any facility where oil and gas products and services and/or services related to any other energy sources (renewable or otherwise) intended to power automotive vehicles and watercrafts are offered to the Business-to-Consumer (or B2C) public, including convenience stores. We operate in the bottling, distribution and sale of LPG through our subsidiary Liquigás Distribuidora S.A. (“Liquigás”). On November 19, 2019, we entered into an agreement with Copagaz and Nacional Gás Butano for the sale of our entire equity stake in Liquigás Distribuidora, pursuant to a purchase and sales agreement. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent, including CADE’s approval.

This transaction is in line with the optimization of our portfolio and with the improvement of our capital allocation, aiming to create value for our shareholders.

For more information on the sale of part of our shareholding position in Petrobras Distribuidora and our equity stake in Liquigás Distribuidora, see “Portfolio Management” in this annual report.

For more information on oil products clients, see “Customers and Competitors” in this annual report.

We also participate in the retail sector in other South American countries, as follows:

 

 

Colombia: Our operations include 123 service stations and a lubricant plant with a production capacity of 54,000 m³/year.

 

 

Uruguay: We have 87 service stations;

 

 

Chile: Following the sale of our distribution operations in Chile, which was concluded in January 2017, we entered into a brand licensing agreement in that country, for the initial term of eight years. To operate our acquired assets in Chile, Southern Cross created Esmax, a company that operates as our licensee in the fuel distribution segment;

 

 

Paraguay: Until March 8, 2019, our operations included 201 service stations, the distribution and sales of fuel at three airports and an LPG refueling plant. Our operations were sold to Paraguay Energy, a subsidiary of Copetrol Group. The sale agreement also included the licensing for the exclusive use of our brands by Nextar (the successor of Petrobras Paraguay Operaciones y Logística SRL) in service stations in Paraguay, for the initial term of five years.

 

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Customers and Competitors

We interact with around 400 clients in Brazil, in regards to liquid oil products, seven of which account for 67% of the total volume sold.

Liquid oil products clients (% vol)

 

LOGO

The sale of oil products to distribution companies is done by contracts executed in accordance with ANP regulations.

We offer a virtual commercial platform, called Canal Cliente to Brazilian market companies. The platform works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Through this online platform, clients can place orders for products, schedule withdrawals and track the entire business process up to the payment phase.

According to information provided by the ANP, we have a dominant participation in the Brazilian market for refining. We own and operate 14 refineries in Brazil, including a shale industrialization unit (“SIX”). SIX is presented in the Shale Industrialization section in this annual report.

In June 2019, we signed a commitment with CADE which consolidates the understanding between the parties on the execution of divestment of refining assets in Brazil. The purpose of the agreement is to provide competitive conditions, encouraging new economic agents to enter the downstream market, as well as suspending the administrative investigation opened by the CADE court to investigate alleged abuse of our dominant position in the refining segment. The agreement considers the divestment of approximately 50% of our refining capacity. We intend to divest from seven refining units (Reman, Lubnor, Rnest, Rlam, Regap, Repar and Refap) and a shale industrialization unit (SIX).

With respect to the trading of oil products in the Brazilian market, we face competition from importers, formulators, other domestic producers and petrochemical plants. In 2019, our participation in diesel and gasoline markets decreased compared to the previous year, mainly due to the increase in imports by third parties. In the specific case of gasoline, demand also reflected competition with a substitute product, hydrous ethanol, which recorded a sharp increase in consumption during 2019.

 

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Other Activities

Petrochemicals

We engage in the petrochemical sector through the following companies:

Our shareholding in petrochemical companies in Brazil

 

    

Location

  

Nominal
capacity
(mmt/y)

  

Our
shareholding

  

Other shareholding

Braskem:

           

Ethylene

      5.00      

Odebrecht (38.32%);

Others (25.53%)

Polyethylene

   Bahia    4.11    36.15%

Polypropylene

      4.50   

DETEN Quĺmica S.A.:

           

LAB(1)

   Bahia    0.22    27.88%    Petresa (69.78%);

LABSA(1)

   0.12    Others (2.34%)

METANOR S.A./COPENOR S.A.(2):

           

Methanol(3)

   Bahia    0.00      

GPC –Grupo Peixoto de Castro (45,22%);

Tesouraria (0.59%);

Others (20.44%)

Formaldehyde

   0.09    34.34%

Hexamine

   0.01   

FCC Fábrica Carioca de Catalisadores S.A.:

           

Catalysts

   Rio de Janeiro    0.04    50.00%    Albemarle (50.00%)

Additives

   0.01

PETROCOQUE S.A.:

           

Calcined petroleum coke

   São Paulo    0.55    50.00%    Universal Empreendimentos e Participações Ltda (50.00%)

 

(1)

Feedstock for the production of biodegradable detergents.

(2)

Copernor S.A. is a subsidiary of Metanor S.A.

(3)

The company decided to stop the production of methanol in 2016. On October 18, 2019, the company sold the plant (equipment) to International Process Plants and Equipments Corporation.

Shale Industrialization

We operate shale processing through our shale industrialization unit (“SIX”), an operating unit with installed capacity of 5,880 t/d, located in São Mateus do Sul, Brazil. We have developed a technology that covers all stages of the manufacturing process. The products obtained from shale processing are fuel oil, naphtha, fuel gas, liquefied gas, sulfur and paving inputs that are used by various industries, such as ceramics, oil refineries, cement plants, sugar mills and agricultural undertakings. The process also produces shale water, which is an input used to formulate foliar fertilizers.

Fuel oils obtained from shale are suitable for industrial consumption in urban centers because they are highly fluid, very easy to handle and eliminate the need for pre-heating. This allows for reductions in burning operating costs and, as such, is ideal for cold climates.

In conducting our operation, we work to repair mined areas through an environmental program that consists of reforestation with native species and the return of fauna to rehabilitated land.

In line with our repositioning process, in June 2019, we signed a commitment with the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (“CADE”) which consolidates our understanding on the execution of divestment of refining assets in Brazil. We intend to divest from seven refining units (Reman, Lubnor, Rnest, Rlam, Regap, Repar and Refap) and SIX.

For more information on our partnerships and divestments, see “Portfolio Management” in this annual report.

 

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Biofuels

We also operate in the production of biodiesel and ethanol through our wholly owned subsidiary Petrobras Biocombustível S.A. (“PBIO”), which manages our activities for the production, logistics and marketing of these products.

Brazil is a global leader in the use and production of biofuels. The anhydrous ethanol content requirement for gasoline sold in Brazil is 27%. Historically, Brazil has been a producer of ethanol and sugar and sold the exceeding electricity generated from burning sugarcane bagasse. PBIO currently holds a 8.4% stake in the Bambuí Bioenergia, an ethanol and power plant, located in the city of Bambuí in the state of Minas Gerais. However, there is an arbitration process in progress, and in parallel a divestment process of PBIO’s equity interest in Bambuí Bioenergia.

There is mandatory blend of 11% biodiesel in all diesel sold in Brazil since September 2019, with gradual scheduled increases of 1% per year, until it reaches a mandated 15% in 2023. The ANP confirmed a mandatory blend of 12% for biodiesel deliveries for March 2020, when it announced the auction for biodiesel acquisitions. PBIO has a 50% interest in the company BSBIOS Sul Brasil S.A. (“BSBIOS”) which owns two biodiesel plants. The company RP Biocombustíveis S.A. owns the other 50% interest. PBIO has three biodiesel plants for its own operations. However, one of our directly owned units, the Quixada biodiesel plant, stopped operating in November 2016, as a result of its economic performance. The unit is currently in a restorative hibernation state. Our biodiesel production capacity in the other two in operation is 8.1 mbbl/d. In 2019 we supplied 6% of Brazil’s biodiesel demand, according to ANP.

Main Assets

 

     2019      2018      2017  

Biofuels

        

Biodiesel production units

     5(1)        5(1)        5(1)  

Biodiesel production capacity (mbbl/d)

     22.1(1)        18.2(1)        18.2(1)  

 

(1)

Includes total production capacity in two plants in which we have 50% interest through BSBIOS Sul Brasil, as well as the capacity of Quixadá, which is mothballing.

With respect to divestments, in November 2019 the sale of PBIO’s 50% stake in Belém Bioenergia Brasil (“BBB”), to Galp Bioenergy B.V., which holds the other 50% stake in the company, was concluded. We also announced the sale of PBIO’s 100% stake in Bioóleo Industrial e Comercial S.A. (“Bioóleo”). This stake represented 6.07% of Bioóleo shares, and was sold to 2H Participações Societarias EIRELI, which holds the other 93.93% stake in the company. In addition, PBIO is in the process of divesting its stake in BSBIOS. In January 2020, we announced the beginning of the non-binding phase related to the planned sale by PBIO, the wholly-owned subsidiary of BSBIOS, of all its BSBIOS shares.

For more information on our divestments, see “Portfolio Management” in this annual report.

In accordance with our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, we decided to exit the biodiesel and ethanol production market. Nevertheless, we are working to produce renewable diesel and BioQav, in response to the sustainability policies of the Brazilian energy matrix. We entered into several strategic transactions to this end.

 

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Biofuels production* (thousand m3)

 

LOGO

 

*

Includes 100% of the volume of affiliates.

Gas and Power

Overview

We process gas produced in our oil fields in our natural gas processing units (“UPGNs”) that have the capacity to treat 105.12 million m3/d of natural gas in Brazil. We market this natural gas, along with gas imported from Bolivia and LNG acquired in the global market, to several consumers and to the thermoelectric plants.

We also operate in the generation and sale of electric energy through thermal power plants fired by natural gas, diesel oil and fuel oil.

Main Assets

 

     2019      2018      2017  

Natural gas

        

Gas pipelines in Brazil (km)

     9,190        9,190        9,190  

Processing Units

     22        23        23  

Brazil

     19        20        20  

Bolivia

     3        3        3  

Processing capacity (million m3/day)

     149        149        149  

Brazil

     105        105        105  

Bolivia

     44        44        44  

Regasification terminals

     3        3        3  

Regasification capacity (million m3/day)

     47        47        41  

Power

        

Number of thermal power plants

     20        20        20  

Installed capacity (thousand MW)

     6.1        6.1        6.1  

 

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LOGO

 

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Natural Gas

Our Gas and Power segment comprises gas processing, transmission and distribution, LNG regasification (Ceará, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro), gas-fired, oil-fuelled and flex fuel power generation.

The Gas and Power segment strategy is:

 

 

optimize our thermoeletric portfolio, prioritizing the self-consumption and commercialization of own natural gas;

 

 

act in a competitive way, with a focus on the commercialization of own natural gas; and

 

 

completely exit of natural gas distribution and transport business.

Processing of Natural Gas

 

LOGO

Natural gas from our exploration and production activities needs to be processed in processing units, to be transformed into marketable products. These products serve as fuel and raw material for different uses, such as vehicular, industrial and residential uses, as well as uses in the fertilizer industry and thermoelectric power generation.

Our UPGNs are located in the states of Amazonas, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil as well as in Bolivia, where we have the capacity to process natural gas in its gaseous and condensed forms.

The current processing capacity and production of our UPGNs in Brazil is:

Processing capacity and production of our UPGNs in Brazil

 

                      2019     2018     2017  
     Location    Number
of units
    2019
Processing
capacity
    Unprocessed
natural gas
    Processed
natural gas
    LPG     Unprocessed
natural gas
    Processed
natural gas
    LPG     Unprocessed
natural gas
    Processed
natural gas
    LPG  
                (million m³/d)     (million m³/d)     (million m³/d)     (thousand t/d)     (million m³/d)     (million m³/d)     (thousand t/d)     (million m³/d)     (million m³/d)     (thousand t/d)  

UTGCAB

   Rio de Janeiro      1       24.60       23.37       17.35       0.71       22.15       17.85       0.61       23.42       18.68       0.78  

UTGCA

   São Paulo      1       20.00       14.68       14.03       0.70       11.47       10.95       0.47       14.51       13.82       0.57  

UTGC

   Espírito Santo      1       16.61       4.89       4.36       0.82       6.41       5.83       0.92       7.52       6.92       1.01  

UTGSUL

   Espírito Santo      1       2.50       0.58       0.57       —         1.01       0.96       —         1.34       1.32       —    

REDUC

   Rio de Janeiro      1       5.00       1.46       1.02       0.06       1.02       0.71       —         1.05       0.73       —    

RPBC

   São Paulo      1       2.00       0.46       0.43       —         0.52       0.37       —         0.73       0.51       —    

LUBNOR

   Ceará      1       0.35       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

URUCU

   Amazonas      4       12.10       12.10       11.56       1.21       12.32       11.45       1.26       11.64       10.84       1.16  

GUAMARÉ

   Rio Grande
do Norte
     3       6.10       1.36       1.25       0.15       1.45       1.34       0.16       1.57       1.45       0.18  

PILAR

   Alagoas      1       1.98       1.24       1.19       0.07       1.40       1.34       0.10       1.40       1.34       0.09  

ATALAIA

   Sergipe      1       2.98       0.78       0.73       0.06       0.83       0.76       0.08       1.05       0.96       0.10  

CATU

   Bahia      1       1.95       1.57       1.45       —         1.71       1.58       —         1.80       1.67       —    

CANDEIAS

   Bahia      1       2.95       —         —         —         —         —         —         0.01       —         —    

EVF MANATI

   Bahia      1       6.00       3.54       —         —         4.80       —         —         4.77       —         —    

TOTAL

        19       105.12       66.33       53.95       3.78       65.09       53.16       3.60       70.81       58.25       3.89  

 

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LOGO

 

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Logistics

 

LOGO

We use a pipeline system to transport natural gas from processing plants, regasification terminals and the border with Bolivia, to the local distributors, as well as for the internal consumption of our units. Brazil has an integrated pipeline system centered around two main interlinked pipeline networks, a gas pipeline connection with Bolivia and an isolated pipeline in the northern region of Brazil (all together spanning over 9,190 km).

Our share in gas transportation companies in Brazil

 

Company

  

Gas pipeline
extension
(km)

  

Our
shareholding

  

Other shareholders

Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolívia Brasil S.A (“TBG”)

   2,593    51%   

BBPP Holdings Ltda. (29%);

YPFB Transporte S.A. (12%);

GTB –TBG Holdings S.A.R.L. (8%)

Transportadora Associada de Gás S.A. (“TAG”)

   4,504    10%   

Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec (CDPQ)

(31,50%);

GDF International (GDI) (29,25%);

Engie Brasil Energia S.A. (EBE) (29,25%)

Nova Transportadora do Sudeste S.A. (“NTS”)

   2,043    10%   

Nova Infraestrutura Fundo de Investimento em Participações (FIP) (82,35%);

Investimentos Itaú S.A. (Itaúsa) (7,65%)

Transportadora Sulbrasileira de Gás S.A. (“TSB”)

   50    25%    Tucunaré Empreendimentos e Participações Ltda. (25%)
  

 

  

 

  

 

TOTAL

   9,190    —     
  

 

  

 

  

 

In June 2019, we sold 90% of our stake in Transportadora Associada de Gás S.A. (“TAG”) to the group comprised of ENGIE and the Canadian fund Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec (“CDPQ”).

For more information on our divestments, see “Portfolio Management” in this annual report.

In addition, outside Brazil we hold an 11% stake in Gás Transboliviano S.A. (“GTB”), which is responsible for the Bolivian side of the Bolivia-Brazil gas pipeline, measuring 557 km.

 

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LOGO

In order to derive natural gas from our production of the Santos Basin pre-salt pole, in addition to using part of the existing infrastructure, we invested in the construction of flow routes integrated with the processing units, which seek to optimize the use of natural gas.

We have invested in the following flow routes:

ROUTE 1 AND GASMEX: The 359 km pipeline consists of two stretches: Route 1, the Lula- Plataform stretch of Mexilhão, with capacity to flow up to 10 million m³/d, and the stretch connecting GASMEX—the Mexilhão platform to the Monteiro Lobato Gas Treatment Unit, in the city of Caraguatatuba in the state of São Paulo, with capacity to flow up to 20 million m³/d of gas produced in the Santos Basin pre-salt. We own 65% of Route 1, Shell owns 25% and Petrogal owns the remaining 10%.

ROUTE 2: The 401 km pipeline links the Santos Basin pre-salt to the UTGCAB processing asset, in the city of Macaé in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It had an initial capacity to flow up to 13 million m³/d, then increased to 16 million m³/d. In July 2019, the ANP authorized the pipeline to operate with 20 million m³/d. We own 65% of Route 2 Lula-Cernambi, Shell owns 25% and Petrogal owns the remaining 10%. We own 55% of Route 2 Cernambi-TECAB, Shell owns 25%, Petrogal owns 10%, and Repson owns the remaining 10%.

ROUTE 3: This 355 km gas pipeline will connect the pre-salt to the natural gas processing plant located in Itaboraí in the state of Rio de Janeiro, for the disposal of up to 18 million m³/d. Three hundred seven km of the pipeline will be offshore, and 48 km onshore. The natural gas processing plant will have two units with a total capacity of processing 21 million m³/d of natural gas, which will increase the supply of natural gas, LPG and natural gasoline (C5+) to the market. Route 3 is scheduled to start up in 2021. We own 100% of Route 3.

Recently installed and upcoming units in the Santos Basin pre-salt will be progressively connected to Route 2 (P-66, P-74, P-69, P-68, P-76) and to Route 3 once they become operational (P-67, P-75, P-77, P-70, FPSO Carioca and FPSO Almirante Barroso). All projects will be able to flow through any of the three flow routes once the system is fully implemented.

 

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Marketing

 

LOGO

The volume of our natural gas consumption to industrial, gas-fired electric power generation, commercial and retail customers in 2019 was 76.5 million mm³/d, representing a small increase of approximately 1.5% compared to 2018. This increase is mainly attributable to a higher power generation from gas-fired power plants.

In 2019, the consumption of natural gas by our refineries and fertilizer plants decreased by 9% compared to 2018. This decrease is mainly attributable to the recent mothballing of our fertilizer factories.

Below we present our sources and consumption in 2019:

 

LOGO

 

 

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Regarding changes in the Brazilian gas market, in July 2019, we signed an agreement with CADE, which consolidates our understandings between the parties on the promotion of competition in the natural gas industry in Brazil. This agreement includes the sale of shareholdings in gas transportation and distribution companies and, among other matters, increases the flexibility for third parties to have access to our processing plants and release capacity in certain gas transportation contracts to which we are part. The purpose of the agreement is to preserve and protect the competitive conditions, aiming to open the Brazilian natural gas market, encouraging new agents to enter this market, as well as suspending administrative procedures established by CADE court to investigate our natural gas business.

Opening the gas market

Full compliance with the commitments signed with CADE, anticipating the deadlines initially agreed

 

LOGO

For more information on the agreement with the CADE, see “Portfolio Management” in this annual report.

 

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Natural gas sales contracts and long-term gas purchase and transportation commitments

We sell our gas primarily to local gas distribution companies and to gas-powered plants, generally based on standard take-or-pay, long-term supply contracts. This represents 70% of total demand volumes. The price formulas under these contracts are mostly aligned with Brent oil prices. Additionally, we have a number of sales contracts designed to create flexibility in matching customer demand with our gas supply capabilities. These include interruptible long-term gas sales contracts.

In 2019, we renegotiated some existing long-term natural gas sales contracts with local natural gas distribution companies in order to promote adjustments to commercial conditions tailored to specific market demands. We ultimately negotiated with 14 local distribution companies that represent 79% of the non-thermoelectric natural gas market and they were negotiated by the new gas policy. The renegotiations will continue in 2020 with four local distribution companies, using the same adjustments in commercial conditions adapted to specific market demands that we carried out with the other companies in 2019.

When we began construction of the Bolivia-Brazil pipeline (“GASBOL”) in 1996, we entered into a long-term Gas Supply Agreement (“GSA”), with the Bolivian state-owned company Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales Bolivianos (“YPFB”), to purchase certain minimum volumes of natural gas at prices linked to the global fuel oil price through 2019. The agreement may thereafter be extended until all contracted volume has been delivered by YPFB. At present, we estimate that the agreement will be extended at least through March 2024 under the existing terms.

In December 2019, we signed a transition agreement with YPFB under the GSA which sets a transition period (from January 1, 2020 to March 10, 2020), during which we will continue the ongoing negotiation process. Our purpose is to change certain commercial conditions according to the Brazilian natural gas market opening process and the new context of the Bolivian market.

Following the transition agreement, in March 2020 we and YPFB signed a new amendment to the GSA which refers to the volume of gas initially contracted that has not yet been delivered by YPFB until December 31, 2019. This amendment provides for the reductions of (i) the YPFB supply obligation to us from the current volume of 30.08 million m³/d to 20 million m³/d and (ii) our take-or-pay obligation from the current volume pf 24.06 million m³/d (annual basis) to 14 million m³/d (daily basis), without any changes on the gas price formula, thus allowing the surplus volume of natural gas to be traded directly by YPFB with other market agents in Brazil.

Therefore, the execution of this amendment reaffirms Petrobras’ commitment to the opening of the Brazilian natural gas market, stimulating its competition by encouraging new agents to enter the market.

On the Bolivian side of GASBOL, while YPFB has shipper’s obligations, we agreed to pay, on behalf of YPFB, the amounts related to 24 million m3/d directly to GTB until 2019 and pre-paid 6 million m3/d until 2039.

On the Brazilian side of GASBOL, after 2020, there will be 12 million m3/d of remaining volume related to Bolivian gas imports and 5.2 million m3/d related to extra capacity between Paulínia, in the state of São Paulo, and Araucária, in the state of Paraná. Any additional capacity must be contracted through a public process conducted by the ANP, in accordance with Brazilian law. In December 2019, the ANP approved the resumption of the ANP Public Call January 2019 process, authorizing Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolívia-Brasil S.A. (“TBG”) to disclose the result of the guaranteed proposal stage and the signing of transport service contracts. TBG hired us for the years 2020 and 2021, respectively, 18 million m3/d and 8 mmm3/d.

Our volume obligations under the ship-or-pay arrangements entered into with GTB and TBG were originally designed to match our gas purchase obligations under the GSA through 2019. Because of the transition agreement under the GSA, the ship-or-pay arrangements entered into with GTB will last until March 10, 2020.

 

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The table below shows these contractual commitments under the above agreements for the five-year period from 2020 through 2024.

Future commitments under natural gas sales contracts, million m3/d

 

     2020     2021     2022      2023      2024  

To local gas distribution companies:

            

Related parties(1)

     17.27       9.04       1.59        1.34        1.34  

Third parties

     21.33       18.66       8.17        7.35        7.33  

To gas-fired power plants:

            

Related parties(1)

     2.80       2.96       2.99        3.26        3.02  

Third parties

     9.26       8.50       10.49        11.04        9.71  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total(2)

     50.66       39.15       23.24        22.99        21.40  

Estimated amounts to be invoiced (US$ billion)(3)(4)

     5.07       4.46       2.28        2.01        1.79  

Purchase Commitments

            

Purchase commitments to YPFB

            

Volume obligation (mmm³/d)(5)

     14.00       14.00       14.00        14.00        14.00  

Volume obligation (mmcf/d)(5)

     495.00       495.00       495.00        495.00        495.00  

Brent Crude Oil projection (US$)(6)

     65.21       65.00       65.00        65.00        —    

Estimated payments (US$ million)(7)

     931,73       851,34       806,18        827,48        848,57  

Transportation Commitments

            

Ship-or-pay contract with GTB

            

Volume commitment (mmm³/d)

     6.00 (12)       6.00       6.00        6.00        6.00  

Volume commitment (mmcf/d)

     211.89       211.89       211.89        211.89        211.89  

Estimated payments (US$ million)(8)(9)

     0.32     0.32     0.32      0.32      0.32  

Ship-or-pay contract with TBG (11)

            

Volume commitment (mmm³/d)(10)

     51.71 (13)       27.02 (13)       11.20        11.20        11.2  

Volume commitment (mmcf/d)

     1,826.08       954.21       395.53        395.53        395.53  

Estimated payments (US$ million)(8)

     385.10       210.80       13.05        13.16        13.27  

Ship-or-pay contract with NTS (11)

            

Volume commitment (mmm³/d)

     158.21       158.21       158.21        158.21        158.21  

Volume commitment (mmcf/d)

     5,587.01       5,587.01       5,587.01        5,587.01        5,587.01  

Estimated payments (US$ million)(8)

     1,270.13       1,305.26       1,319.18        1,329.82        1,337.00  

Ship-or-pay contract with TAG (11)

            

Volume commitment (mmm³/d)

     74.28       73.58       73.58        73.58        73.58  

Volume commitment (mmcf/d)

     2,623       2,598       2,598        2,598        2,598  

Estimated payments (US$ million)(8)

     1,536.40       1,590.43       1,607.39        1,620.36        1,629.11  

 

(1)

For purposes of this table, “related parties” include all local gas distribution companies and power generation plants in which we have an equity interest and “third parties” refer to those in which we do not have equity interest.

(2)

Estimated volumes are based on “take or pay and ship or pay” agreements in our contracts, expected volumes and contracts under negotiation (including renewals of existing contracts), not maximum sales.

(3)

Estimates are based on outside sales and do not include internal consumption or transfers.

(4)

Prices may be adjusted in the future, according to formula defined in contract, and actual amounts may vary.

(5)

23.95% of contracted volume supplied by Petrobras Bolivia.

(6)

Brent Crude Oil price forecast based on our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.

(7)

Estimated payments are calculated using gas prices expected for each year based on our Brent Crude Oil price forecast. Gas prices may be adjusted in the future based on contract clauses and amounts of natural gas purchased by us may vary annually.

(8)

Amounts calculated based on current prices defined in natural gas transport contracts.

(9)

No estimated payments from 2020 due to Contract TCO-Bolivia prepayment.

(10)

Includes ship-or-pay contracts relating to TBG’s capacity increase.

(11)

We undertook divestment processes for TAG in of 2019. The ship-or-pay contracts shown with TBG, NTS and TAG are not included in our audited consolidated financial statements, since such contracts are intercompany transactions.

(12)

The TCQ Bolivia and TCX Bolivia Contracts were extended until March 20, 2020.

(13)

The sum of legacy point-to-point contracts (TCO, TCX and CPAC) was considered with the new entry and exit contracts, object of public call No. 001/2019.

 

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Distribution

 

LOGO

Distributors provide gas through their distribution networks to commercial establishments, residences, industries, vehicles and thermoelectric plants.

In February 2020 we have released the teaser for the full sale of our 51% equity stake in Petrobras Gás S.A. (“Gaspetro”). Gaspetro is a holding company that consolidates our equity interests in 19 of the 27 state natural gas distributors, and Mitsui holds the remaining 49% interest. In addition, we hold a 37.5% stake in Petrobras Distribuidora which operates the distribution of natural gas in the state of Espírito Santo. In 2019, of the total of 38.16 mmm³/d of gas sold to distributors, 46% was distributed through distributors which participation is partially held by Gaspetro.

In Uruguay, through Petrobras Uruguay S.A. de Inversión, we held, until September 2019, participation in two companies in the natural gas distribution business which are responsible for the distribution of natural gas throughout the Uruguayan territory. Due to the lack of economic viability, we returned the natural gas distribution concessions to the Uruguayan State through the transfer of shares of the distributors. In 2018, these two companies sold 162,000 m³/d to 59,000 customers. In the first three quarters of 2019, they sold 166,000 m³/d to 59,000 customers.

Power

Brazilian electricity needs are mainly met by hydroelectric power plants and other sources of energy (wind, coal, nuclear, fuel oil, diesel oil, natural gas used in thermoeletrics, and others). The Free Marketing Environment (“ACL”) and the Regulated Marketing Environment (“ACR”) are involved in the regulation of the electric energy market in Brazil.

Hydroelectric power plants are dependent on the annual level of rainfall. When rainfall is abundant, Brazilian hydroelectric power plants generate more electricity. As a result, under these circumstances, there is less demand for power generation by thermoelectric power plants.

We generate and sell electric power from a generator park consisting of 20 thermoelectric power plants that we own or lease, operating under the authorization regime as an independent power producer. They are powered by natural gas, diesel or fuel oil, with a total installed capacity of 6,148 MW. These plants are designed to supplement power from the hydroelectric power plants.

In 2019, the total electricity generated in Brazil, according to the ONS, was 67,763 MWavg. Our thermoelectric power plants contributed 2,028 MWavg (2,205 MWavg in 2018 and 3,165 MWavg in 2017). This was due to the increase in storage of the reservoirs supplying the hydroelectric plants of the National Interconnected System (as a result of the favorable rainfalls throughout the year).

We also have plants with generation through renewable sources. In addition, we hold participation in other projects. This adds up to 316 MW to our electricity generation capacity.

Sales and generation of electricity(1)

 

     2019      2018      2017  

Electricity Sales (ACL) – average MW(2)

     1,168        1,231        1,212  

Electricity Sales (ACR) – average MW

     2,788        2,788        3,058  

Electricity generation – average MW

     2,028        2,205        3,165  

 

(1)

The generation value in the table above includes only the plants where we manage the operation.

(2)

Includes electricity sales from the Gas and Power segment to other operating segments, service and other revenues from electricity companies.

 

 

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Electricity sales and commitments for future generation capacity

Under Brazil’s power pricing regime, a thermoelectric power plant is only allowed to sell electricity that is certified by the MME and which corresponds to a fraction of its installed capacity. The certificate is granted to ensure a constant sale of commercial capacity over the course of years to each power plant, given its role within Brazil’s system to supplement hydroelectricity power during periods of unfavorable rainfall. The amount of certified capacity for each power plant is determined by its expected capacity to generate energy over time.

The total capacity certified by the MME (garantia física) may be sold through long-term contracts in auctions to power distribution companies (standby availability), and through bilateral contracts executed with free customers and used to meet the energy needs of our own facilities.

In exchange for selling this certified capacity, the thermoelectric power plants must produce energy whenever requested ONS it. In addition to a capacity payment, thermoelectric power plants also receive a reimbursement for variable costs (declared to MME to calculate commercial certified capacity) incurred whenever they are requested to generate electricity.

In 2019, the commercial capacity certified by MME for all thermoelectric power plants we control was 3,770 MWavg. Our total generating capacity was 6,148 MWavg. Of the total 4,161 MWavg of commercial capacity available for sale in 2019, approximately 67% was sold as standby availability in public auctions in the regulated market (compared to 59% in 2018) and approximately 28% was committed under bilateral contracts and self-production, i.e. sales to related parties, (compared to 26% in 2018).

Under the terms of standby availability contracts, we receive a fixed amount whether or not we generate any power. Additionally, whenever we have to deliver energy under these contracts, we receive an additional payment for the energy delivered that is set on the auction date and is revised monthly or annually, based on inflation-adjusted international fuel price indexes.

The table below shows the evolution of our installed thermoelectric power plants’ capacity, our purchases in the free market and the associated certificated commercial capacity.

Installed power capacity and utilization

 

     2019      2018      2017  

Installed capacity (MW)

     6,148        6,148        6,148  

Certified commercial capacity (Mwavg)

     3,770        3,900        4,040  

Purchases in the free market (Mwavg)

     391        821        888  

Commercial capacity available (Lastro) (Mwavg)

     4,161        4,720        4,928  

 

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The table below shows the allocation of our sales volume between our customers and our revenues for each of the past three years:

Volumes of electricity sold (MWavg)

 

     2019      2018      2017  

Total sale commitments

     3,958        4,020        4,270  

Bilateral contracts

     812        832        788  

Internal consumption

     356        399        424  

Public auctions to distribution companies

     2,788        2,788        3,058  

Generation volume

     2,028        2,205        3,165  

Revenues (US$ million)(1)

     2,334        3,066        4,162  

 

(1)

Includes electricity sales revenues from the Power segment to other operating segments, service and other revenues from electricity companies.

Our power assets and their respective locations are listed in the table below.

Our power assets (MW)

 

       

Type

  

Region

  

Power Plant

  

Fuel

   Installed
Capacity
     Shareholding
or PIE
     Petrobras
Capacity
    

Partners

  1         Ibirité    NG      226        100      226     
  2         Baixada Fluminense    NG      530        100      530     
  3         Seropédica    NG/DO      386        100      386     
  4         Cubatão    NG      219        100      219     
  5      Southeast/ Midwest    Nova Piratininga    NG      386        100      386     
  6         Piratininga    NG      190        100      190     
  7         Termorio    NG      1,058        100      1,058     
  8         Juiz de Fora    NG/ET      87        100      87     
  9         Três Lagoas    NG      386        100      386     
  10         Termomacaé    NG      923        100      923     
Petrobras   11      South    Canoas    DO/NG      249        100      249     
Management   12         Termobahia    NG      186        100      186     
(own, lease   13   UTE       Vale do Açu    NG      323        100      323     
or   14         Termocamaçari    NG      138        100      138     
controlled)   15      Northeast    Termoceará    NG/DO      220        100      220     
  16         Bahia I    FO      32        100      32     
  17         Arembepe    FO      150        100      150     
  18         Muricy I    FO      147        100      147     
  19         Jaraqui NG    NG      76        93.66      71      Breitener Jaraqui S.A. and Breitener
                         Tambaqui S.A. 100% owned by
          Jaraqui FO    FO      81        93.66      76      Breitener Energética – Petrobras:
       North                   93.66%; GGR Participações S.A.:
          Tambaqui NG    NG      93        93.66      87      3.34%; Alcântara, Mendes & Cia: 1%
  20                        Arcadis Logos Energia S.A.: 1%; Orteng
                  Tambaqui FO    FO    63      93.66%      59      Equipamentos e
Sist. Ltda: 1%.

UTEs Petrobras Management

           6,148        100      6,128     
                                                  
    21   WIND    Northeast    Parque Eólico         2      100%      2     
                  Guamaré                               
                                                  
    22   PV    Northeast    Solar Alto do         1      100%      1     
                  Rodrigues                               

Subtotal Petrobras Management

           6,151           6,131     

 

 

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             Type      Region     

Power Plant

   Fuel      Installed
Capacity
     Shareholding
or PIE
     Petrobras
Capacity
    

Partners

    1        
Southeast\
Midwest
 
 
   Goiânia II         145        30%        44     

Enegen Participações S.A.: 70%;

Petrobras: 30%

    2         South      Araucária      GN        484        18.80%        91     

Copel: 20,3%; Copel GeT: 60.9%;

Petrobras: 18.8%

    3          Suape II      OC        381        20%        76     

Savana SPE Incorporação Ltda.: 80%,

Petrobras: 20%

    4      UTE        Northeast      Termocabo      OC        50        12%        6     

Brasympe Energia S.A.: 60% (Petrobras has 20% of shareholding at Brasympe); EBRASIL S.A.: 24%;

SZF Participações Ltda: 14%;

OZ&M Incorporação Participação Ltda: 2%

    5               North      Manauara      GN/OC        85        52%        44     

Petrobras: 40%; TEP: 60%

(Petrobras has 20% of shareholding at TEP)

  Petrobras Shareholdings   6          Mangue Seco 1         26        49%        13     

Alubar Energia S.A.: 51%;

Petrobras 49%

    7          Mangue Seco 2         26        51%        13      Eletrobrás: 49%; Petrobras: 51%
    8      WIND        Northeast      Mangue Seco 3         26        49%        13     

Wobben Windpower Industria e Comércio

Ltda: 51%; Petrobras: 49%

    9                      Mangue Seco 5               26        49%        13     

Wobben Windpower Industria e Comércio

Ltda: 51%; Petrobras: 49%

    10      PCH       
Southeast
/Midwest
 
 
   Água Limpa         14        14%        2     

TEP: 70% (Petrobras has 20% of

shareholding at TEP); RPE—Produtora de

Energia Elétrica Ltda: 30%

    11                      Areia               11        14%        2     

TEP: 70% (Petrobras has 20% of

shareholding at TEP); RPE—Produtora de

Energia Elétrica Ltda: 30%

 

Subtotal Petrobras Shareholdings

                 1,275           316     
                  

 

 

       

 

 

    
 

Total

                 7,426           6,447     
                  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

Note:

NG—Natural Gas; FO—Fuel Oil; DO—Diesel Oil; ET—Ethanol; PIE—Independent Power Producer; UTE—Thermoelectric Power Plant; PCH—Small Hydroelectric Plant; PV—Photovoltaic.

Contracts of our thermoelectric power plant at Regulated Marketing Environment (or “ACR”) and their respective contrated power and contract expiration date are listed in the table below.

 

 

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Our contracts at regulated marketing environment (ACR)

 

Region

  

Power plant

   Contracted
power

(MWavg)
    

Contract expiration date

   Baixada Fluminense      416.4      2033
   Seropédica      336.0      2019 (58MW), 2023 (278MW)

Southeast /Midwest

   Cubatão      197.0      2019 (56MW), 2024 (141MW)
   Termorio      957.0      2019 (253MW), 2022 (352MW), 2024 (352MW)
   Três Lagoas      334.0      2019 (207MW), 2023 (127MW)
   Termomacaé      200.0      2025
   Termoceará      141.0      2023 (64MW) e 2024 (77MW)

Northeast

   Bahia I      5.0      2025
   Arembepe      101.0      2023
   Muricy I      101.0      2023

We also have invested, independently and in partnership with other companies, in renewable power generation sources in Brazil, including wind. We hold indirect interests in two small hydroelectric power plants (Areia and Água Limpa) through our associate Termoelétrica Potiguar S.A. (“TEP”). We also own a solar power plant unit, Unidade Fotovoltaica de Alto Rodrigues. Additionally, we participate in joint ventures in four wind power plants (Mangue Seco 1, 2, 3 and 4), two of them (Mangue Seco 1, 2) in divestment process. Our strategy is to maximize value through active portfolio management, maintaining investments in research and development in renewable energy. In order to invest in such areas in the future, we are planning to invest US$70 million/year in R&D for decarbonization and renewables. The power generation capacity we have (alone and through the equity interests we hold in renewable energy companies) is as follows:

 

 

3.6 MW of hydroelectric capacity,

 

 

1.1 MW of solar capacity; and

 

 

51.5 MW wind capacity, corresponding to 49.5% of the 104 MW of Mangue Seco 1, 2, 3 and 4.

We and our partners sell energy from these plants directly to the Brazilian federal government through auctions.

Furthermore, we signed in 2018 a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with the Norwegian company Equinor ASA (“Equinor”), to evaluate a joint business development in the offshore wind energy industry in Brazil.

The MoU with Equinor has evolved to jointly evaluate a future wind project in the Campos Basin, using R&D funding.

For more information on our divestment process, see “Portfolio Management”.

 

 

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Customers and Competitors

Natural gas is marketed to 22 clients, most of which are distributors. The entire demand for natural gas includes our non-thermoelectric, thermoelectric, refining and fertilizer segments, as well as the consumption by natural-gas carriers contracted by us for the provision of transportation services.

 

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In the energy segment, we operate in the regulated market (energy distributors) and free market (marketers and free consumers/large consumers). We have 142 clients, of which 41 are distributors, 48 are marketing companies, and 53 are free consumers. All contracts are registered at the Electricity Trading Chamber, a sector agent responsible for the settlement and accounting of these contracts.

In the commercialization of natural gas, we act as importers and domestic producers who can directly sell our product to the distributors or thermoelectric plants. We expect an increase in competition due to new regulation under discussion which aims to improve the regulatory framework of the natural gas sector and to establish guidelines for a new design of the market that allows the entry of new agents in the sector in order to promote competition.

The transportation of natural gas also consists of a monopoly of the Brazilian federal government. There is no competition since the area of activity of the carriers is divided by region across the national territory.

In the natural gas distribution segment we operate through indirect participation in state companies, where each distributor has a monopoly for its concession area, and there is no competition, since the Brazilian federal constitution provides that the natural-gas distribution segment can only be exercised through concession by public authorities of each state.

As mentioned before, in July 2019, we signed an agreement with CADE, which consolidates understandings between the parties on the promotion of competition in the natural gas industry in Brazil. This agreement includes the sale of shareholdings in gas transportation and distribution companies and, among other matters, increase the flexibility for third parties to have access to our processing plants and release capacity in certain gas transportation contracts to which we are a part. The purpose of the agreement is to preserve and protect the competitive conditions, aiming to open the Brazilian natural gas market, encouraging new agents to enter this market, as well as suspending administrative procedures established by CADE court to investigate our natural gas business.

In the energy segment, we operate in generation and sale. In generation, we compete with third-party thermoelectric plants, as well as other generators with other energy sources (hydro, wind, solar). In terms of commercialization, we compete with other energy marketers.

 

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Fertilizers

We have two fertilizer plants in Brazil, one located in the state of Bahia, (“FAFEN-BA”), and other in the state of Sergipe (“FAFEN-SE”), and one subsidiary located in Paraná, Araucaria Nitrogenados S.A. (“ANSA”). Their main products are ammonia and urea. Together these plants have an installed capacity of 1.852 million t/year of urea, 1.406 million t/y of ammonia, 319,000 t/y of ammonium sulfate and 800,000 tons/y of ARLA-32. The ammonium sulfate unit in Sergipe, however, did not operate in 2019. Most of our ammonia production is used to produce urea, and the excess production is mainly sold in the Brazilian market.

We continue to pursue our strategy of leaving the fertilizer segment and focusing on assets that generate greater financial return and are more adherent to our business. In 2019, we mothballed our plants located in Bahia and Sergipe and, after that, we signed lease agreements with Proquigel Química S.A. (“Proquigel Química”), a company of the Unigel Group, leasing FAFEN-BA and FAFEN-SE for a total amount of R$177 million. The agreements have an initial term of 10 years and may be extended for additional 10 years. Leases will become effective upon approval by CADE and issuance of mandatory operation permits for Proquigel Química.

In January 2020, following our attempts to sell ANSA, we approved the mothballing of this fertilizer plants. With this decision, we continue our strategy of leaving the fertilizer segment and focusing on assets that generate value.

In February 2020, we announced the beginning of the non-binding phase related to the sale of all our equity stake in the Nitrogen Fertilizer Unit (UFN-III). UFN-III is a nitrogen fertilizer industrial project located in Três Lagoas, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The construction of UFN-III began in September 2011, but was interrupted in December 2014, with a physical advance of about 81%.

After completion, UFN-III will have a projected urea and ammonia production capacity of 3,600 t/d and 2,200 t/d, respectively. The completion of UFN-III will be the responsibility of the potential buyer.

Fertilizer production (thousand tons)

 

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Main Assets

 

Fertilizers

   2019     2018      2017  

Fertilizer plants

     3 (1)      3        3  

Urea production capacity (thousand ton/year)

     1,852 (1)      1,852        1,852  

Ammonia production capacity (thousand ton/year)

     1,406 (1)      1,406        1,406  

 

(1)

Includes FAFEN-BA, FAFEN-SE and ANSA capacity, although in November 2019, we signed lease agreements leasing two of our nitrogen fertilizer plants (FAFEN-BA e FAFEN-SE) to third parties and in January 2020 we are mothballing ANSA’s plant.

 

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Portfolio Management

Our active portfolio management, part of our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, is the key driver of our partnerships and divestments, which aim to improve our operating efficiencies and returns on capital, and generate additional cash to reduce our debt, while supporting best investment opportunities. Currently, our partnerships and divestments comprise the sale of minority, majority or entire participations in certain of our subsidiaries, affiliates, and assets to strategic or financial investors or by means of public offerings.

In line with the TCU, guidelines and current legislation, the following stages of our divestment projects are disclosed to the public:

 

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From January 1, 2019 through March 16, 2020, we completed, among others, the following divestitures.

 

Signing date

  

Closing date

  

Main transactions

   Transaction
nominal
value(1)
(US$billion)
 

June 27, 2018

   March 8, 2019    Full sale of stake in Petrobras Paraguay Distribución Limited (“PPDL UK”), Petrobras Paraguay Operaciones y Logistics SRL (“PPOL”) and Petrobras Paraguay Gas SRL (“PPG”).      0.38  

January 30, 2019

   May 1, 2019    Sale of all the shares held by PAI in the companies that encompass Pasadena’s entire refining operations system: PRSI and PRSI Trading LLC (“PRST”).      0.56  

April 25, 2019

   June 13, 2019    Sale of 90% of stake in the TAG.      8.72(2)  

July 23, 2019

   July 26, 2019    Sale of 33.75% of Petrobras Distribuidora’s capital stock through the secondary public offering of shares.      2.55(3)  

March 8, 2019

   Sept. 10, 2019    Sale of our full stake in the Maromba field      0.09  

Nov. 28, 2018

   Oct. 8, 2019    Sale of stake in the fields of Pargo, Carapeba and Vermelho, the so-called “Polo Nordeste”, located in shallow waters off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state.      0.37  

August 8, 2019

   Nov. 1, 2019    Sale of 50% of stake in Belem Bioenergia Brasil (“BBB”).      0.006(4)  

April 25, 2019

   Dec. 9, 2019    Sale of full stake in 34 onshore production fields, located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.      0.38  

April 25, 2019

   Dec. 27, 2019    Sale of 50% working interest in Tartaruga Verde field (BM-C-36 Concession) and Module III of Espadarte field.      1.29  

Oct. 31, 2018

   Jan. 14, 2020    Sale of entire 50% interest in PO&G.      1.53  
        

 

 

 

Total

     15.88  
        

 

 

 

 

(1)

Considering agreed amounts at the signing of the transaction.

(2)

The transaction was negotiated in reais in the amount of R$33.5 billion. Thus, for purposes of table composition, the amount was translated at the exchange rate R$3.84 per US Dollar on the closing day (June 13, 2019). The total amount includes US$0.536 billion destined to settle TAG’s debt with BNDES.

(3)

The transaction was negotiated in reais in the amount of R$9.6 billion. Thus, for purposes of table composition, the amount was translated at the exchange rate R$3.77 per US Dollar on the closing day (July 26, 2019). The amount includes the full exercise of overallotment option also known as a “Greenshoe Option”.

(4)

The transaction was negotiated in reais in the amount of R$24.7 million. Thus, for purposes of table composition, the amount was translated at the exchange rate R$3.97 per US Dollar on the closing day (November 1, 2019). Despite the completed transaction, the amount will be retained by Galp Bioenergy B.V until December 2020 to offset potential indemnity payments.

 

 

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From January 1, 2018 through March 16, 2020, we have signed agreements for transactions that are currently pending closing. Completion of such transactions is subject to compliance with certain contractual and legal conditions precedent.

 

Signing date

  

Main transactions

   Transaction
nominal
value(1)

(US$billion)
 

Dec. 21, 2018

   Assignment of 10% rights from the Lapa field to Total, in Block BM-S-9. Exercise of the option to sell the remainder of our interest, as provided for in the agreement signed in January 2018, when Total acquired 35% of our stake, within the scope of the strategic partnership.      0.05  

July 24, 2019

   Sale of 100% of interest in the Pampo and Enchova clusters, located in shallow waters in the Campos Basin.      0.851  

July 24, 2019

   Sale of 100% of interest in the Baúna field (awarded area BM-S-40), located in shallow waters in the Santos Basin.      0.665  

Sept. 8, 2019

   Sale of entire working interest in a set of onshore and maritime producing fields in the Potiguar Basin, denominated Macau Cluster, located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.      0.191  

Sept. 30, 2019

   Sale of stake in the onshore fields of Ponta do Mel and Redonda, located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte,Brazil.      0.007  

Oct. 11, 2019

   Sale of entire working interest in the onshore fields of the Lagoa Parda Cluster, located in Espĺrito Santo state, Brazil.      0.009  

Nov. 19, 2019

   Sale of 100% stake in Liquigás Distribuidora S.A.      0.879 (2) 

Nov. 28, 2019

   Sale of 30% stake in the Frade concession, located in the Campos Basin, north coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.      0.100  

Mar. 9, 2020

   Sale of all participations in four onshore fields, located in Bahia, jointly called Polo Tucano Sul      0.003  
     

 

 

 

Total

     2.76  
     

 

 

 

 

(1)

Agreed amounts subject to adjustment at the closing of the transaction.

(2)

The transaction for this operation was negotiated in reais. Thus, for purposes of table composition, the amount was translated at the exchange rate R$4.208 per US Dollar the signing day (November 19, 2019).

Our divestment process is aligned with TCU and subject to judicial review by Brazilian authorities.

In 2019, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court (“STF”) understood that the sale of subsidiaries of state-owned companies does not require prior legislative authorization and public bidding, confirming the legality of the procedure we currently adopt to sell our shareholding in other companies. For more information on judicial proceedings related to our divestments, see “Legal and Tax – Legal Proceedings – Other Legal Proceedings – Legal Proceedings and Preliminary Procedure on TCU – Divestments” in this annual report.

Agreements with CADE

In 2019, we signed two agreements with CADE, which consolidates understandings between the parties related to (i) the execution of divestment of refining assets, and (ii) promoting competition in the natural gas industry in Brazil.

Refining agreement

With the execution of refining agreement, among other related commitments, we are committed to divesting approximately 50% of our refining capacity, which represents the full sale of seven refineries (REPAR, REFAP, RLAM, RNEST, REGAP, LUBNOR, REMAN) and a shale industrialization unit (SIX) with their associated logistics.

The agreement also provides that, of the following subgroups (i), (ii) and (iii), the companies listed may not be acquired by the same buyer or by companies of the same economic group, as the companies listed in each subgroup are considered competitors with one another: (i) RLAM and RNEST; (ii) REPAR and REFAP; and (iii) REGAP and RLAM. An external agent that we contract, according to specifications to be established by mutual agreement, will accompany the schedule and compliance with the commitments assumed with CADE.

 

 

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Natural gas agreement

The agreement includes the sale of our shareholding participation in companies of the gas transportation and distribution segments:

 

(i)

10% stake in NTS;

 

(ii)

10% stake in TAG;

 

(iii)

51% stake in TBG; and

 

(iv)

indirect participation in gas distribution companies, either by selling our 51% stake in Gaspetro, or by selling indirect participation in distribution companies.

In transportation, we undertake to indicate in the transportation systems the maximum injection and withdrawal volumes at each receiving point and delivery area, for further adjustments to the current transportation service contracts, so that transportation companies, under the supervision of the ANP, can offer the remaining capacity to the market, thus enabling other companies to use the transportation network not used by us. Furthermore, we are committed to other actions to allow greater competitiveness in the natural gas market, such as: (i) negotiating access to outflow and processing assets, (ii) refraining from purchasing new gas volumes from partners/third parties, except in certain situations provided for in the agreement, and (iii) leasing of the regasification terminal in the state of Bahia.

The purpose of the agreement is to preserve and protect the competitive conditions, aiming to open the Brazilian natural gas market, encouraging new agents to enter this market, as well as suspending administrative procedures established by CADE to investigate our natural gas business.

In addition, we have in our portfolio other projects in their structuring phase, and believe in a strategy for our portfolio management that focuses on core assets, in order to improve our capital allocation, enable debt and capital cost reduction, and ultimately increase value generation for us and our shares.

 

 

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We have disclosed the teasers, non-binding and binding phases related to the following assets that are currently part of our divestment portfolio.

 

Phase

  

Summary scope of main transactions(1)

   Sale of the entire stake in the Papa-Terra field, located in deepwaters in the Campos Basin.
   Sale of the entire stake in Merluza and Lagosta fields, located in shallow waters in the Santos Basin.

Teaser

   Sale of the totality of participation in two sets of maritime concessions in deep waters in the post-salt, called Polo Golfinho and Polo Camarupim, located in the Espírito Santo Basin.
   Full sale of stakes in the wind power companies Eólica Mangue Seco 1, Eólica Mangue Seco 2, Eólica Mangue Seco 3 and 4.
   Sale of the totality of participation in our fuel and lubricant distribution company in Colombia, named Petrobras Colombia Combustibles (PECOCO)

Non-binding

   Sale of the entire stake (100%) in the fertilizer unit UFN-III (Unidade de Fertilizantes Nitrogenados III).
   Sale of the totality of our 51% equity stake in Petrobras Gas S.A. (Gaspetro).
   Full sale of interest in Petrobras Uruguay Distribuición S.A. (PUDSA).
   Sale of the remaining stake (10%) in Transportadora Associada de Gás S.A. (TAG).
   Sale of assets in refining and associated logistics in the country: Gabriel Passos Refinery (REGAP) in Minas Gerais, Isaac Sabbá Refinery (REMAN) in Amazonas, Northeast Lubricants and Petroleum Derivatives (LUBNOR) in Ceará and SIX in Paraná, as well as their corresponding logistics assets.
   Sale of assets in refining and associated logistics in the country: Abreu e Lima Refinery (RNEST) in Pernambuco, Landulpho Alves (RLAM) in Bahia, Presidente Getúlio Vargas (REPAR) in Paraná and Alberto Pasqualini (REFAP) in Rio Grande do Sul and its corresponding logistics assets.
   Full disposal of 34% interest in the Company MEGA S.A.
   Total assignment of two land concessions, including drainage facilities, called Polo Cupiúba and Carapanaúba, located in the state of Amazonas.
   Sale of all stakes in nine onshore fields, located in Bahia, jointly called Polo Miranga.

Binding

   Sale of all stakes in eight onshore exploration and production concessions, located in the state of Bahia, jointly called Polo Rio Ventura.
   Sale of all shares in 14 onshore exploration and production concessions, located in the state of Bahia, jointly known as the Polo Recôncavo.
   Total assignment of rights in 27 mature onshore fields, located in Espírito Santo, jointly called Polo Cricaré.
   Total assignment of rights in four sets of onshore fields (totaling 12 concessions), in Ceará and Sergipe.
   Sale of all stakes in the Peroá production fields, and in the BM-ES-21 concession, located in the Espĺrito Santo Basin.
   Sale of partial participation of up to four exploration and production blocks in deep waters concessions, located in the states of Sergipe and Alagoas.
   Sale of all stakes in 11 production fields located in shallow waters in the Campos Basin, jointly called Polo Garoupa.

 

(1)

Information updated as of March 20, 2020.

 

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External Business Environment

We are subject to external variables that can impact the performance of our business and the way we plan for the future. We describe key variables in 2019 below.

Global Economy

Growth of the global economy slowed from 3.6% in 2018 to 2.9% in 2019, according to the World Economic Outlook published by the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”) in January 2020. The year was marked by the escalation of the trade war between the U.S. and China, which increased the uncertainty and risk aversion in global markets. During the year, the U.S. set importing tariffs of over US$550 billion on Chinese products. China in turn retaliated on over US$185 billion in American exports.

The main impact of the trade war was in the global trade, which slowed from a 3.6% growth in 2018 to 1.1% in 2019, according to data from the IMF. Consequently, the two main world economies suffered a deceleration in the GDP in the last year. The U.S. fell from a growth closer to 3% to around 2%, and the Chinese economy, from a growth of around 6.7% to approximately 6%, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Bureau of Statistics of China. The slowdown was mainly due to the worsening of exports performance.

The deceleration in the growth of the world economy and, in particular, of the U.S. economy, caused the American monetary authority to stop increasing the policy interest rate, or the Fed Funds Rate (“FFR”). During the year, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) made three cuts in the FFR, causing the rate, which began the year at 2.50% p.a., to reach 1.75% p.a. in December.

The downward movement in U.S. interest rates was accompanied by other regions and countries. Thus, overnight interest rates in the United Kingdom, Europe and Japan also fell over the year. The higher liquidity in global markets encouraged an increase in stock exchanges around the world. In the U.S., the Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) reached its historical maximum (monthly average) in December 2019.

GDP global growth rate (%)

 

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Source: IMF, 2019

In the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020, two new factors affected growth expectations for this year. On the one hand, there were advances in the negotiations between China and the U.S. for the resolution of the trade war. The two countries signed what was called “phase one of the agreement. On the other hand, the coronavirus epidemic, originating in China, has negatively influenced growth projections due to its potential impact on the circulation of people and products worldwide.

 

 

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Global Oil & Gas Market

2019

In the beginning of 2019, the anticipation of the “OPEC+ agreement” between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and non-OPEC groups, which contemplated a total cut of 1.2 million bbl/d compared to the October 2018 level, triggered prospects of crude oil supply constraints in the global market. In addition, there was pressure from sanctions imposed on Iran, as the U.S. indicated that it would not renew the waivers granted in November 2018 for the imports of Iranian oil by some oil-importing countries. As a result, the first quarter of 2019 saw a consistent rise in oil prices, which had been on a downward trend since September 2018. This was due to the bearish market outlook for growth in oil products demand and upward revisions in tight oil supply in the U.S.

In mid-2019, the trade war between the U.S. and China escalated and feelings of uncertainty about the dynamics of the world economy were reflected in the market, resulting in the reversal of the upward trajectory of oil prices. Crude oil prices fell again during the month of June to levels near those of the beginning of the year, causing the Brent average price in the first half of 2019 to be 7% below the same period in the previous year.

On September 14, 2019, an attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities led to a sharp rise in oil prices. Brent increased by US$8 per barrel at the closing of the first working day after the bombing, reversing a downward trend in prices throughout the year. However, the rapid re-establishment of the Saudi supply defied market expectations, again driving the price down to US$64 per barrel on the annual average. In December 2019, the OPEC+ group decided to carry out an additional cut of 500,000 bbl/d, increasing its total cut to 1.7 million bbl/d in comparison to the October 2018 level. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia announced that it would voluntarily cut another 400,000 bbl/d from its production, increasing the adjustments to 2.1 million bbl/d.

LNG international benchmark prices fell significantly in 2019. Henry Hub fell by 17% and NBP by 35%. Among the main reasons are new supply projects that came onstream, demand slowdown and high inventory levels during the whole year, including winter periods.

Brent – crude oil price (US$/bbl)

 

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Source: Bloomberg, 2019

2020

2020 begins with high volatility on the supply side. On January 3, 2020, the United States carried out an air strike on the Baghdad airport in Iraq, killing Iran’s top military leader, Qasem Soleimani. The attack increased tensions between Washington and Tehran, as well as in the international oil market. In response, Brent’s volatility increased and its price rose to levels near US$70/bbl during the first week of January. However, as the United States announced that it would not pursue new military action against Iran, opting for trade sanctions instead, market tensions subsided. In the second week of January, the price of oil stabilized around US$64 per barrel, near the average price of 2019.

 

 

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Over the first weeks of 2020, the spread of coronavirus infections in China led the government to isolate cities affected by the epidemic. The cancellation of commercial flights, the closing of the border with Russia and the constraints on the supply and demand of goods and services in the country resulted in a sharp reduction in the consumption of oil products. In the face of this new constraint, the oil price fell to US$58 per barrel in the last week of January, which represented a drop of 14% in comparison with the first week of the year. The potential for damage to oil markets lies in the fact that China is currently the main driver of global oil demand growth. Between 2010 and 2018, Chinese oil demand and imports grew by 44% and by 94%, respectively, according to IHS Markit.

In March, the OPEC+ meeting failed to reach the expected outcome of increasing the oil production cuts until December 2020 by 1.5 million bbl/d, which would have brought the total reduction to 3.6 million bbl/d (OPEC+ agreed on a cut of 2.1 million bbl/d in December 2019). The disagreement between the leading members of OPEC+, Saudi Arabia and Russia, led to the non-renewal of the production cuts in force, thus allowing participating countries to produce without limits after April 1, 2020.

In response to all these shocks, oil prices fell, reaching levels of US$32 per barrel (on March 9, 2020). The perspective of Russia and Saudi Arabia not agreeing on new oil production cuts and the uncertain evolution of the economic shock associated to the spread of the COVID-19 bring volatility to the oil price outlook.

Brazilian Economy

The Brazilian economy grew 1.2% in 2019, according to the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (“IBGE”). Despite the ongoing reforms and more accommodative monetary policy, the results were hindered by the fiscal consolidation in place and the smaller growth in the world economy and in the global trade, which increased risk aversion for emerging markets. The Argentinian crisis also affected the Brazilian economy, as Brazilian exports to Argentina fell by 35% in 2019, according to Foreign Trade Studies Center Foundation (“Funcex”).

Exchange rate (BRL/USD, average)

 

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Source: Central Bank of Brazil

The modest growth was driven by domestic demand, especially private consumption and investment. Driven by the recovery of the construction sector, the industry sector grew 0.5% in 2019, while the service sector grew by more than 1%. In this context of moderate economic activity, there were no relevant demand pressures on price levels. The national consumer price index (IPCA) variation ended the year at 4.3%, according to the IBGE, giving room to a more accommodative monetary policy. SELIC ended 2019 at 4.25% p.a., the lowest historical level, according to the Central Bank of Brazil.

The exchange rate recorded a devaluation of 7.9%, reaching an average of R$/US$ 3.95 in 2019, compared to the 2018 average of R$/US$ 3.66. This trend was not limited to the Brazilian economy as there was a wide movement of appreciation of the U.S. dollar in the global market. The dollar index, the dollar exchange rate relative to a basket of the main international currencies, recorded an increase of 4.1% in 2019, according to Bloomberg.

In addition, there was a reduction in the risk assessment of the Brazilian economy in 2019, measured by EMBI+ (-22.5%) and CDS (-20.3%), indicating an optimistic expectation about the ongoing reforms and the fiscal consolidation in place (Bloomberg).

 

 

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Brazilian Oil and Gas Market

Oil and oil products demand

For the last three years, the Brazilian economy has been growing slowly. This is reflected in oil products consumption by the economic segments (i.e. industry and services segments). The market for oil products in 2019 was about 1% greater than in 2018. In specific terms, the volume of gasoline is diminishing due to the substitution of gasoline by hydrous ethanol, which is motivated by the competitive prices of hydrous ethanol compared to fossil fuel. Additionally, vehicles fueled exclusively by gasoline are being replaced by flex fuel automobiles.

Brazil oil products demand (mbbl/d)

 

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Source: Petrobras and EPE, 2019

Fuel oil is undergoing a process of substitution by other sources, especially natural gas. In the case of thermoelectric demand, there were fewer dispatches using fuel oil, negatively affecting its sales. Bunker fuel represents an important part of fuel oil sales in Brazil and it has been positively impacted by IMO 2020 since October 2019. From January 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will ban ships from using fuels with a sulphur content above 0.5% .In this timeframe, bunker fuel price has surpassed Brent price by more than 10%.

The development of diesel demand is being slowed due to the mandatory increase of the biodiesel percentage in the fuel blend that is delivered to the final consumer. However, diesel sales increased in 2019, following the growth of the Brazilian GDP.

LPG sales were reduced in 2019, due to higher average temperatures and weaker industrial production.

By its turn, jet fuel demand suffered impacts from the exchange rate devaluation, improvements in airplanes’ energy efficiency and the reduction of available seat-kilometers due to the judicial recovery from an airline company.

Natural gas demand, according to the Ministry of Mines and Energy interannual data until November 2019, has declined by 3.1%, from an average of 80.35 million m3/d to 77.85 million m3/d, due to the reduction of industrial consumption (-6.9%) and to the slight reduction in power generation (-1.2%) . This effect was partially offset by an increase of 3.8% in the natural gas vehicle consumption.

Technology and alternative sources

The Brazilian energy mix (i.e. different types of primary energy sources) is going through transformations, especially in terms of power generation. These transformations are influenced by the development of renewable sources, such as wind and solar photovoltaic power that have become less costly in the recent years.

The Brazilian energy and power mixes have one of the largest share of renewables in the world.

In terms of motorization, there was a trend towards more efficient-consumption vehicles, influenced by Inovar-Auto and the introduction of the first hybrid flex fuel vehicle manufactured in Brazil. Today, the government program Rota 2030 implies further investments in energy efficiency and vehicles safety, resulting in less taxes for automobile manufacturers.

 

 

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Regulation

In June 2019, we signed a commitment with CADE which consolidates the understanding between the parties on the execution of divestment of refining assets in Brazil. The purpose of the agreement is to provide competitive conditions, encouraging new economic agents to enter the downstream market, as well as suspending the administrative investigation opened by CADE court to investigate alleged abuse of our dominant position in the refining segment. The agreement considers the divestment of approximately 50% of our refining capacity.

In July 2019, we also signed an agreement with CADE which consolidates understandings between the parties on the promotion of competition in the natural gas industry in Brazil. This agreement includes the sale of shareholdings in gas transportation and distribution companies and, among other matters, increases the flexibility for third parties to have access to our processing plants and release capacity in certain gas transportation contracts to which we are a part. The purpose of this agreement is to preserve and protect competitive conditions, aiming to open the Brazilian natural gas market, encouraging new agents to enter this market, as well as to suspend administrative procedures established by CADE to investigate our natural gas business.

For more information related to our commitment with CADE, see “Portfolio Management” in this annual report.

 

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STRATEGIC PLAN

2020 – 2024 Strategic Plan

Our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan (the “Strategic Plan” or “2020-2024 Strategic Plan”) consists of the continuous evaluation of the business environment and the implementation of the plan, allowing adjustments to be made in a more efficient way. The Plan is focused on oil and natural gas exploration and production, notably in the Brazilian pre-salt area, which is one of our greatest strengths and sources of value creation. Digital transformation has gained strength as an important instrument for adding value to our business in a competitive environment. Another highlight of our Strategic Plan is adopting economic value added (EVA®, referred to herein as “EVA”) as a management tool for our company.

Our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, “Mind the Gap”, provides for a transformational agenda that aims to bridge the performance gap that separates us from other global oil and gas companies and create shareholder value. In addition, our Strategic Plan is consistent with the five strategic pillars we have defined:

 

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We are in a moment of cultural and digital transformation and seeking an effective return on capital employed by our shareholders. Thus, we decided to incorporate the new management tool into our Strategic Plan: the EVA®. The indicator represents the beginning of performance evaluation focused on value generation, transforming our culture through clear incentives for management and other professionals.

We aim to be a company with an operational return greater than our capital cost, positioned in world-class assets, with operations focused on oil and gas, advancing in the exploration and production of the Brazilian pre-salt, with an efficient refining system. In relation to renewable energy sources, we will engage in research to acquire skills to position ourselves in the long term in the wind and solar energy segments.

Our Strategic Plan has three top metrics focused on safety of people, debt reduction and value creation:

 

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*

TRI: Total Recordable Injuries;

**

NET DEBT/EBITDA: Net Debt / LTM adjusted EBITDA (including IFRS16);

***

EVA: Economic Value Added

 

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In 2019 we were able to reduce our gross debt by US$24 billion, reaching US$87 billion as compared to our gross debt as of 2018 applying the effects of IFRS 16. We maintain our target to achieve a ratio of Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure, as defined below in “Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA Metric” in this annual report) of 1.5x in 2020.

Our strategies were adjusted by defining our actions by strategic segment, in view of our focus on the core business and shareholders value generation:

 

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Our projected capital expenditures for the next five years is US$75.7 billion, of which 85% is allocated to the E&P segment.

Projected investments 2020-2024

(US$ billion)

 

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Our Strategic Plan presents a repositioning of our E&P portfolio focusing on deepwater and ultra-deepwater activities, where the extraction cost is lower, providing higher returns. Thus, we expect 59% of our investments in the segment for the 2020-2024 period will be directed to pre-salt assets and projects, in particular on the Búzios field, which is expected to be allocated 28% of the total investment planned for the E&P segment.

Projected E&P investments 2020—2024 (%)

 

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In the Refining segment, our efforts are focused on investments in maintenance (refining and logistics), hydrotreatings (“HDTs”) in REPLAN (Paulínea), REDUC (Duque de Caxias) and RPBC (Presidente Bernardes), and hydrocracking (“HCC”) in REDUC (Duque de Caxias) to produce high quality lubricants.

In the Gas and Power segment, our investments are focused on Route 3 and natural gas processing unit to enable natural gas outflow from pre-salt production. In addition, we plan to invest in R&D in solar and wind power.

Projected Refining, Gas and Power Investments 2020 – 2024

 

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We continue to pursue deleveraging by means of cash generation and divestment. In 2020, our major cash needs are expected to meet our budgeted Capital Expenditures for the year, amounting to US$12 billion, and to make principal and interest payments of US$6.8 billion on our debt.

The divestments forecasted in our Strategic Plan are between US$20-30 billion for the 2020-2024 period, with the highest concentration expected in the years 2020 and 2021. In addition to divestments already announced by us, we are currently evaluating the potential sale of thermoelectrics, gas pipelines in the pre-salt area and other E&P assets, in addition to the sale of our shareholding in BR Distribuidora and Braskem. Nonetheless, our evaluation is still ongoing, and there is no corporate decision by our management with respect to the structure or implementation of the potential sale of such assets, which may depend on market and strategic conditions.

 

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Production of Oil, NGL and Natural Gas

The oil and gas production curve estimated in our Strategic Plan indicates a continuous growth path. During the 2020-2024 period, 13 new production systems are expected to begin operation, all of which are allocated to deepwater and ultra-deepwater projects.

We decided to present a commercial production vision in order to represent the financial impact of production on our results, deducting from our natural gas production the volumes of gas reinjected into the reservoirs, consumed in E&P facilities and burned in production processes. In addition, the production curve does not include divestments, except for approximately 100 mboed, relating to the Nigerian fields and the Tartaruga Verde field, which sale transactions were concluded on January, 14, 2020 and December 27, 2019, respectively.

The production curve estimated in our Strategic Plan is presented below.

Estimated oil and gas production*

(mmboed)

 

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*

Does not consider divestments, except from Nigerian assets and Tartaruga Verde (~100 kbpd of total production)

**

2020 figures include +/- 2.5%

***

Regarding to the sixth production system of the Búzios field (chronological order) to be installed in the Module 7 area

For the 2020 production target, we consider a variation of plus or minus 2.5%. The oil production in this year mainly reflects losses in volumes related to natural decline of mature fields and higher concentration of production stoppages to increase the integrity of the systems, partially offset by the ramp-up of new platforms. In the long term, the growth path is supported by new production systems, particularly in the pre-salt, with higher profitability and value generation and by the Campos Basin production stability.

 

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Crude Oil Price and Exchange Rate

Future calculations have been carried out assuming an average Brent Crude Oil price of US$65 per barrel and an average nominal exchange rate of R$3.93 to US$1.00 for the 2020-2024 period.

Operational Costs

Our Strategic Plan includes cost optimization and reduction initiatives, which includes a reduction in corporate expenses (costs and expenses excluding raw materials).

The 2020-2024 Strategic Plan includes initiatives to optimize and reduce costs, with cost reduction targets of 10% and a 15% reduction in corporate spending in 2020.

Financing

Our cash generation will be the result of higher expected efficiency, greater cost control and financial resources due to active portfolio management. This will allow for a gradual reduction in gross debt, with a consequent reduction in interest expenses and an increase in estimated dividend distribution amounts through our new dividend policy.

In addition, by anticipating cash flow through divestments of assets, we will make our investments, looking for reducing our indebtedness, without the need for new net fundraising in our Strategic Plan horizon.

Low Carbon and Sustainability Commitments

So far, we have already advanced with a series of carbon emission reduction actions in our processes, which involve reducing the flaring of natural gas, reinjection of CO2 and gains in energy efficiency. We maintain our commitment to reducing carbon emissions of our processes and products, with a carbon resilience and efficiency action plan.

Accordingly, we have established 10 commitments for the low carbon and sustainability agenda:

1. Zero growth in absolute operating emissions by 2025*;

2. Zero routine flaring by 2030;

3. Re-injection of approximately 40 MM ton CO2 up to 2025 in carbon capture, utilization and storage projects;

4. 32% reduction in carbon intensity in the E&P segment by 2025;

5. 30% to 50% reduction in methane emission intensity in the E&P segment by 2025;

6. 16% reduction in carbon intensity in refining segment by 2025;

7. 30% reduction in freshwater capture in our operations with focus on increasing reuse by 2025;

8. Zero increase in residues generation by 2025;

9. 100% of our facilities with biodiversity action plan by 2025; and

10. Maintenance of investments in socio-environmental projects.

 

* Carbon commitments related to 2015 base. Other commitments based on 2018.

We also intend to invest US$100 million per year in decarbonization and US$70 million per year in R&D for decarbonization and renewables.

With the execution of our Strategic Plan, we reaffirm our commitment to be a financially competitive company with an efficient capital structure focused on a world-class oil and gas assets base, low indebtedness, concious of the safety of people and the environment and oriented toward ethical principles and transparency.

 

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Digital Transformation

We believe that it is important to be prepared for a competitive environment that is increasingly influenced by digital technologies. In September 2019, we created the “Digital Transformation and Innovation Executive Office” to develop a more consistent and synergic journey, aligned with our strategic pillars.

In order to accelerate our digital transformation and innovation pursuits, generate value and increase operational safety and efficiency, we are working on the following initiatives:

Go Digital: Focuses on technology platforms boosting digital evolution.

Be Digital: Focuses on digital and agile innovation – practices, mindset and cultural change.

Lean Petro: Focuses on optimizing and automating processes.

Innovating and R&D: Focuses on value creation, time to market, growth engine and business models.

Protect: Focuses on information security as an innovation enabler.

Go Digital

We are opening the path to digital solutions by offering integrated data platforms and up-to-date technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

In 2019, our information technology advances led to several improvements in our work performance, including (i) reductions in downstream operational costs, (ii) significant improvements to our upstream high-performance computing capabilities, which has tripled from 3 to 9 PFLOPS during 2019, and should exceed 30 PFLOPS by the end of 2020, and (iii) adoption of cloud-based solutions to enhance our make vs buy strategy and to transform the way we work.

Among the programs at the corporate level, Future ERP (“SAP S/4 HANA”), stands out with potential to foster agility and analytics-based decisions. The program makes use of advanced digital technologies such as “internet of things” and “machine learning.” Due to its innovative characteristics, transactional and analytics features and its ability to provide company-wide coverage, we think that SAP S/4 HANA will enable a wide range of opportunities for our digital transformation. We hope that the program will result in an increase in productivity through process redesign and will facilitate our business activities, including our mergers & acquisitions endeavors, making the use of digital technologies simple, accessible and agile.

Be Digital

In order to explore new technologies and navigate the ever-growing complexity of the digital world, we must implement a culture of collaboration and adaptability. Adaptable and efficient methods can be a key factor in making our business more resilient, empowering teams and increasing creativity and effectiveness to deliver end-user demands. We are also working with all business units to build digital agendas that bring focus to our investments, ensuring our digital efforts will help us overcome our strategic challenges.

In partnership with our information technology team, we have launched an internal startups program. As part of this program, entrepreneurs present proposals on how digital technology can have strategic impact and deliver exponential returns to a panel composed of a board of business executives. Teams then develop the selected proposals to deliver value in a short period of time.

An example of a winning proposal that is already being implemented is the project titled “Trip Detector.” This project uses artificial intelligence to run a platform to predict system failures. The program also interprets process data and suggests actions to avoid automatic shutdown events. The first implementation achieved a prediction success rate of 70%. This solution will be implemented for other equipment and facilities, generating exponential results through efficiency and safety.

 

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Lean Petro

We work to optimize and digitize processes all over our organization using technological tools such as Robot Process Automation (“RPA”), Enterprise Service Management (“ESM”) and Business Process Management Suite (“BPMS”). Those tools helps us promote several goals, including (i) an integrated management for a process digitization center of excellence; (ii) the innovation and incorporation of technologies across business processes; and (iii) the mapping, redesign and simplification of processes and structures. This allows us to pursue cost optimization and improve our efficiency.

In 2019, we began restructuring our processes to implement the SAP 4 HANA, which will be a major driver for process reengineering. During the year, approximately 3,000 processes and procedures were simplified or reduced, continuing an effort started in 2016 that brought about a reduction of around 18,000 of our procedures.

Innovating and R&D

We have a history of successfully developing and implementing innovative technologies, mainly with respect to drilling, completing and producing wells in increasingly deep water. Our efforts received four OTC awards, recently in 2019 for the technologies we developed for the Libra Long Term Test. In 2020, the award recognizes the set of innovations developed to enable production in the Búzios field, in the Santos Basin pre-salt. To make this project a reality, the company developed a series of technologies for a scenario that combines challenging conditions, such as ultra-deepwaters and reservoirs located below the salt layer, subjected to high pressure levels, as well as a high presence of carbon dioxide. The innovations cover the technical areas of reservoirs, wells, elevation and flow, as well as subsea technologies and surface installations. One of the main highlights of the development was the installation of four FPSO type vessels (floating oil production, storage and transfer unit) in a period of just 11 months in a single production field.

Our research and development center (“Cenpes”) is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the energy sector and one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The Cenpes facility has a total area of 308,000 m2, and includes 147 laboratories and more than 8,000 pieces of equipment, with cutting edge technology. The facility’s laboratories are dedicated in particular to pre-salt technologies, which is our main source of value. Cenpes’ mission is to “imagine, create and make today the future of Petrobras.” As of December 31, 2019, this facility had 1,358 employees, 89.5 % of which are dedicated to research and development. This employee group includes 12 employees with postdoctoral degrees, 261 with doctorates and 420 with masters in science. We also have several semi-industrial scale prototype plants throughout Brazil that are located near our industrial facilities and are aimed at fast prototyping and scaling up new industrial technologies at reduced costs.

As we pursue valuable results in research and development, we are exploring new ways to innovate through disruptive technologies, digital transformation and start-up engagement. The innovation ecosystems are key to unlocking the full potential of emerging technologies and can speed up innovation. We currently work with technological partnerships to leverage our human capital. We have already started to improve our connections with innovation ecosystems by adopting new open innovation practices with start-ups. The first step was an innovation challenge in cooperation with SEBRAE (a non-profit private entity with the mission of promoting the sustainable and competitive development of small businesses in Brazil) through a call for start-ups and small companies for projects aiming to improve technology readiness and implementation rates. It is among our research and development priorities to provide technologies for the deep and ultra-deepwaters, to seek operational efficiency and optimization of the recovery factor, and to provide technologies for downstream, gas and energy, as well as renewable energies aimed at long-term wind and solar operations. For instance, our program “PROD1000” has the ambition to reach 1,000 days between field discovery and beginning of production, compared to current average for pre-salts of 3,000 days (PROD1000). Our intention is to combine PROD1000 with “EXP100”, a program with the ambition to increase the chance of discovering oil to 100% in drilling exploratory wells, reducing project risks and costs by expediting production development. The result would be earlier starts of the production development stage, which would boost the full-cycle capital efficiency.

 

 

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Research and development investment (US$ million)

 

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Additionally, in the 3-year period ended December 31, 2019, our research and development operations were awarded 214 patents in Brazil and 113 overseas. Our patents portfolio covers all of our areas of activities.

In 2019, we engaged in several activities relating to research and development. We conducted joint research projects with universities and research centers in Brazil and abroad. We also participated in technology exchange and assistance partnerships with several oilfield service companies, technology companies and other operators and start-ups that benefited from our acceleration initiatives.

Protect

Information security plays an important role in our day-to-day operations and is considered an innovation enabler in our journey of digital transformation. In 2019, we conducted several initiatives related to information security, continuous awareness, threat intelligence platforms, adoption of cybersecurity frameworks, data loss prevention solutions and security of industrial control systems, in order to improve information security maturity levels. In 2019, there were no reported cybersecurity incidents that could have compromised the confidentiality, integrity or availability of information technology resources supporting our financial statements.

An important example concerning the integration of all the initiatives above – Go Digital; Be Digital; Lean Petro; Innovating and R&D and Protect – is the deployment of “digital twins.” These are digital representations of our operating facilities – such as a platform, an oil reservoir, a submarine system, a critical equipment or a refinery – that have the potential to contribute to the reduction of operating costs and the increase in efficiency and safety in our operations.

 

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ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE

Environment

The protection of human health and the environment is one of our primary concerns and is essential to our success. Each year, we maintain a set of initiatives focused on the prevention of accidents and the preservation of life and the environment. To this end, we launched the Commitment to Life Program (the “Program”), which aims to strengthen guidelines and standardize safety practices at all stages of our operations. The Program was launched in 2016. It is currently in its fourth cycle, 2019-2020, and supports the implementation of the Total Recordable Injury (“TRI”) safety indicator, which is one of our top metrics.

We structured these initiatives under our Program keeping in mind (i) the results of our Health, Safety and Environment (“HSE”) management assessments, (ii) the root causes of accidents identified in accident investigations and (iii) environmental scenarios in recent years and future perspectives.

The main initiatives of the Program for the 2019-2020 cycle are the following:

Commitment to Life Program

CYCLE 2019-2020

 

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HSE investments (US$ billion)

 

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The relationship with our suppliers also includes environmental aspects. Our new commitments formalized in 2019 consider environmental criteria. Contracted companies must present evidence and certifications related to compliance with HSE standards and confirm that they comply with all applicable requirements, laws and regulations.

In 2019, we became the first company to achieve ASCM Enterprise Certification, which is the first-of-its-kind corporate level designation that demonstrates supply chain excellence and transparency – a growing value for consumers as they become more educated about supply chain supporting ethical and sustainable business practices. The certification is valid for three years, with the annual requirement to demonstrate adherence to ASCM defined standards for certificate maintenance throughout the validity period. By obtaining the certification, we reinforce our commitment to improving how we manage our goods and services supply processes, contributing to the company’s increased credibility in a competitive market.

Total Recordable Injury

Safety is one of our core values. The total recordable injury per million man-hour frequency rate (“TRI”) is one of the metrics monitored by our senior management for matters of health and safety. The evolution of the TRI reflects the implementation of several initiatives for the promotion of our safety culture, trainings and our HSE management assessment program.

After obtaining a TRI result of 0.76 in 2019, in the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan we established an alert threshold for TRI below 1.00 for the year 2020. We expect this result to place us among top oil and gas companies in terms of safety.

Eliminating fatal accidents and achieving top-notch performance when it comes to the prevention of injuries to our employees and to third parties are the two key important goals of our HSE management. In 2019, we trained more than 40,000 employees on the issues of process safety, HSE aspects in contracts, behavioral auditing and human factors.

Total recordable injury rate – TRI*

 

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*

TRI below the peer group’s historical benchmark (0.80) . Benchmark from comparative information obtained in the Sustainability Reports of BP, Shell, Equinor, Total and Exxon.

 

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We expect training 180 thousand employees and contractors in safety risks until 2021.

Although we develop prevention programs in all of our operating units, we recorded two fatalities involving our own and contractors’ employees in 2019 (compared to six fatalities in 2018). Our procedure is to investigate all incidents reported in order to identify their causes and take preventive and corrective actions. These actions are regularly monitored once they are adopted. In case of serious accidents, we send company-wide alerts to enable other operating units to assess the probability of similar events occurring in their own operations.

Environmental impacts

Main Impacts

 

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We are an energy company focusing on oil and gas. We therefore use natural resources and impact the ecosystem through our activities. However, we seek to reduce the impacts of our activities on the environment. In 2019, we invested US$891 million in environmental projects, compared to US$842 million in 2018 and US$790 million in 2017. These investments continued to be primarily directed at reducing emissions and waste from industrial processes, managing water use and effluents, remedying impacted areas, implementing new environmental technologies, upgrading our pipelines and improving our ability to respond to emergencies.

 

 

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We have established ten commitments in our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, ten commitments for the low carbon and sustainability agenda:

 

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*

Carbon commitments related to 2015 base. Other commitments based on 2018.

For more information, see “2020-2024 Strategic Plan” in this annual report.

Spills and Environmental Remediation Plans

Oil and oil product spills totaled 415.3 m³ in 2019, compared to 18.5 m3 in 2018. The increase in leakage is mainly due to the occurrence of two events: (i) the rupture of the offload hose during the transfer of oil from the P-58 platform to the relief vessel, generating a leakage of 251.8 m3 of oil into the sea; and (ii) the loss of water/oil interface in the production separator of P-53, resulting in oil dragging into the produced water system and consequent disposal of water with a high oil content into the sea (generating a leakage of 122 m3). In both cases, immediate remediation procedures were implemented in order to minimize the impacts generated by spills, and the causes were investigated for prevention purposes.

We are constantly seeking to improve our standards, procedures and leakage response plans, which are structured at the local, regional and corporate levels.

 

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In 2019, we set up a plan called “Mar Azul,” with the aim of identifying and addressing what could cause loss of containment. This plan consists of investments for improving the management of processes and for ensuring the integrity of our equipment and installations.

As part of our environmental plans, procedures and efforts, we maintain detailed response and remediation contingency plans to be implemented in the event of an oil spill or leak from our offshore operations. The Brazilian Institute of the Environment and of Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) audits, approves and authorizes the execution of these programs.

In order to respond to these events, we have dedicated oil spill recovery vessels fully equipped for oil spill control and firefighting, support boats and other vehicles, additional support and recovery boats available to fight offshore oil spills and leaks, containment booms, absorbent booms and oil dispersants, among other resources. These resources are distributed in Environmental Defense Centers, located in strategic areas, in order to ensure rapid and coordinated response to onshore or offshore oil spills.

We have approximately 300 trained workers available to respond to oil spills 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we can mobilize additional trained workers for shoreline cleanups on short notice from a large group of trained environmental agents in the country. While these workers are located in Brazil, they are also available to respond to an offshore oil spill outside of Brazil.

Since 2012, we have been a member of the Oil Spill Response Limited (“OSRL”) , an international organization that brings together over 160 corporations, including major, national and independent oil companies, energy related companies as well as other companies operating elsewhere in the oil supply chain. OSRL participates in the Global Response Network, an organization composed of several other companies dedicated to fighting oil spills. As a member of the OSRL, we have access to all resources available through that network, and also subscribe to their Subsea Well Intervention Services, which provide swift international deployment of response-ready capping and containment equipment. The capping equipment is stored and maintained at bases worldwide, including Brazil.

In 2019, we conducted 15 emergency drills of regional scope with the Brazilian Navy, the civil defense, firefighters, the military police, environmental organizations and local governmental and community entities.

We continue to evaluate and develop initiatives to address HSE concerns and to reduce our exposure to HSE risks on capital projects and operations.

At the request of IBAMA, in 2019 we supported emergency response actions in the northeast region of Brazil, by furnishing the performance of our supplying equipment and materials for the operational fronts. We will receive reimbursement of the costs we incurred in providing support for responding to this emergency. As part of our support efforts, we mobilized two specialized vessels (Oil Spill Response Vessels – OSRV), two readiness aircraft and 4,000 meters of oil containment barriers.

Air Emissions and Transition to Low Carbon

Our climate strategy focuses on the decarbonization of our operations and aims to ensure a superior carbon performance and to strengthen the resilience of our oil and gas business. We have a company-wide carbon mitigation program, with an allocated budget. We also implement strategies to consider carbon emissions and financially quantify the carbon risk in our decision-making process. In addition, we work to strengthen our long-term options by focusing on R&D and assessing opportunities in selected low-carbon businesses that offer a competitive advantage and have synergies with our activities. Examples of such businesses include renewable aviation fuels and offshore wind developments.

We have launched a comprehensive set of carbon targets and goals for the medium-term, covering the 2015–2025 decade. Our “no emissions growth” targets 100% of operated assets in all our businesses (including power generation), for all greenhouse gases (“GHG”). We include direct (Scope 1) and indirect GHG emissions from the acquisition of electric and/or thermal energy produced by third parties (Scope 2). We also established specific intensity targets for our refining and upstream businesses and we linked a short-term 2019 internal target to the remuneration of executives, including selected board members, across the related areas.

 

 

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In 2019, our performance in terms of GHG emissions was as follows:

 

 

Total emissions of GHG of 60 million tCO2e, well under our target of no growth, provided that zero growth considers our absolute emissions in 2015, which totaled 78 million tons of CO2e. Our commitment is not to exceed 78 million tons of CO2e in any year until 2025, unless there is a strong pressure for electricity generation from thermal plants due to national water stress events;

 

 

Carbon intensity in E&P of 17.3 kgCO2e/boe (the kg CO2e / boe indicator considers gross oil and gas production (“wellhead”) in its denominator), on track for achieving the medium-term target of 15 kgCO2e/boe in 2025;

 

 

Carbon intensity in refining of 42.5 kgCO2e/CWT* on track for achieving the medium-term target of 36 kgCO2e/CWT in 2025.

Our carbon intensity targets (E&P and Refining) represented a coverage of 74% of emissions from activities operated by us in 2019.

Our strategy also focuses on collaboration and we have continued to partner with other companies and with the science, technology and innovation community. We highlight, for instance, our participation in the Oil & Gas Climate Initiative and our support for the World Bank’s “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” initiative. In our program on Connections for Innovation – Startups Module, conducted in partnership with the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (“SEBRAE”), the topic of low carbon solutions was one the topics selected. In fact, one of the winning companies, Pam Selective Membranes, worked in the carbon capture technology arena.

In addition, we announced updates to our Climate Change Supplement, an internal guide which will be available on our website. The Climate Change Supplement details our contributions to reducing the carbon intensity of our energy supply and how we aim to remain competitive in an evolving context.

Social Responsibility

Human Rights

A commitment to human rights is key to the sustainability of our business. Several documents governing our activities detail our approach to human rights, as follows:

 

 

Code of Ethics: addresses issues such as respect for diversity, equal opportunities, fair labor relations, health and safety assurance for workers and the right to free association.

 

 

Human Resources Policy: states that we must provide employees with a good working environment that promotes diversity and relationships based on trust and respect, without tolerating any form of harassment or discrimination.

 

 

Social Responsibility Policy: seeks to prevent and mitigate negative impacts on our direct activities, supply chain and partnerships. It is based on respect for human rights and seeks to combat discrimination in all its forms, setting forth standards related to social risk management, community relations and social investment present in the guidelines related to these subjects.

 

 

Sustainability Report: we conform our reported indicators and actions with the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the sustainability report: Correlation with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Indicators, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Global Compact Principles.

 

 

*

The kg CO2/CWT indicator was developed by Solomon Associates specifically for refineries and was adopted by the European Emissions Trading System (EU Emissions Trading System, EU ETS) and by CONCAWE (association of European oil refining and distribution companies and gas). A refinerys CWT (Complexity Weighted Tonne) considers the potential for GHG emissions, in equivalence to distillation, for each process unit. Thus, it is possible to compare emissions from refineries of various sizes and complexities. We monitor the kg CO2/CWT indicator, according to our original identity. We also monitor an adapted indicator: kg CO2e / CWT, to enable the inclusion of emissions from other GHG (for example methane), which, however, represent a small portion of our refining emissions.

 

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Our respect and defense of human rights commitments also occurs through initiatives in favor of gender equity, racial equality and the protection of early childhood. We list below our main human rights initiatives.

 

2003

 

2005

 

2010

 

2015

 

2018

 

2019

UN global compact   Gender and ethinic
pro-equity program
 

Women’s
empowerment
principles

 

Corporate statement
adressing sexual
violence against
children and
adolescents

  National pact for
slave labour
eradication
 

Business initiative
for ethnic equality

 

Open letter
companies for
human rights

  Early childhood
national network

In 2010, we adhered to the seven UN Women Empowerment Principles (“WEPs”), which address the promotion of gender equality in the labor market and in society. Over time, our internal gender equity promotion policies have secured recognition in the 2019 WEPs Brazil Award, an award organized by a partnership between UN Women, the International Labor Organization and the European Union, geared towards companies promoting gender equity and women’s empowerment.

In November 2018, we joined the Business Initiative for Equality, put forward by the NGO Afrobras and Zumbi dos Palmares College. Through its 10 commitments, the initiative aims to promote racial equality, equal opportunities and fair treatment for all. In 2018, we also signed the Open Letter Companies for Human Rights, in which we pledged, among other things, to adopt a policy of communication, investigation of complaints and sanctions, in order to suppress practices that contradict our Code of Ethics.

We also promote a commitment to human rights issues with our suppliers. We annually award a prize to our best suppliers. In 2019, we created a special category to value best practices in gender equity, the Special Equity Award 2018.

Through our partnership with Zumbi dos Palmares College, in 2019 we also held the first Petrobras Equity Forum, where our main suppliers participated.

In August 2019, we launched the Petrobras Early Childhood Initiative. In 2020, the program will implement a series of intersectoral programs in 15 Brazilian municipalities aimed at protecting and boosting children’s development in their first six years of life. In December 2019, we signed the National Pact for Early Childhood, a commitment signed by several sectors to protect children in Brazil, which aims to strengthen public institutions dedicated to guaranteeing rights provided for in Brazilian legislation and to promote the improvement of the necessary infrastructure to protect children’s interests.

In November 2019, through our partnership with InPACTO, we promoted a workshop with representatives from the Social Responsibility, Legal, Supplies and Transpetro areas to discuss the prevention and combat of contemporary slave labor in the supply chain.

Across all of our activities, we carry out social risk assessments, where we seek to identify and mitigate potential human rights impacts in the supply chain. The assessment leads to recommendations including review of emergency response plans through the lens of community relationships, monitoring of community occurrences and complaints, disclosure of projects and operational activities and inclusion of social responsibility clauses in service contracts, among others.

Community Relationship

We are committed to maintaining a long-term community relationship based on dialogue and transparency. To achieve this, we seek to know the dynamics of the communities that neighbor the sites where we operate and their leaders, and to develop relationship plans which we monitor and evaluate.

In that vein, we seek to foster the development of collaborations to strengthen ties, promote networking and generate mutual benefits, allowing for respect for communities’ social, environmental, territorial, and cultural rights. We promote committees, meetings, lectures, visits, and investments in social and environmental programs and projects, which aligns with the objectives of our business and contributes to the conservation of the environment and improvement of the living conditions of the communities where we operate.

In 2019, our relationship plans realized 364 events in communities, such as regular meetings with community leaders through community committees, community visits and lectures on the operational units’ activities and on topics related to HSE.

 

 

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Additionally, we strengthen our work with communities, civil society organizations, the public sector and universities through our social-environmental program, namely Petrobras Socioambiental. This initiative contributes to environmental conservation and the improvement of living conditions where we operate. The program is aligned with our social responsibility policy, which aims to provide energy, respect human rights and the environment, manage our relationship with nearby communities responsibly and overcome sustainability challenges.

In 2019, our voluntary social investment totaled US$29 million, 21% more than our social investment in 2018 (US$24 million). This increase takes into consideration the exchange rate variation of real compared to the US dollar between 2018 and 2019. Thus, the percentage increase is 21% reported in U.S. dollars and 33% reported in reais. This investment supports 144 social and environmental projects.

We have also incorporated guidelines in our decision-making process related to capital investment projects, such as incorporating a social risk analysis, including human rights violations, by a multidisciplinary group. In 2019, 18 projects have been assessed for social risks, compared to 19 projects in 2018.

Governance

Since 2015, we have been implementing a series of governance improvements.

As one of the key actions, we have established a new corporate governance model and created a set of rules and procedures that seek to ensure that our decisions are aligned with good governance:

Petrobras main governance improvements

 

LOGO

Law 13.303/16 requires that our Board of Directors be formed by at least 25% of independent members. Our Bylaws extended the requirement to 40%. Technical criteria for the selection of members of a Board of Directors and executive officers set forth in Law 13.303/16 and in our Bylaws banned the appointment of ministers, secretaries and others in certain positions of public administration. Our Bylaws also provided additional requirements in addition to those of Law 13.303/16 for assessing the reputation of the administrators and members of the Fiscal Council.

As we are a mixed-capital company, the Brazilian federal government can guide our activities, with the purpose of contributing to the public interest that justified our creation, aiming to guarantee the supply of oil products throughout the national territory. However, this contribution to the public interest must be compatible with our corporate purpose and with market conditions, and cannot jeopardize our profitability and financial sustainability.

Thus, if providing for the public interest calls for conditions different from those of any other private sector company operating in the same market, as explained in our Bylaws, the obligations or responsibilities that we assume must be defined in rules or regulations and outlined in a specific document, such as a contract or agreement, widely publicized and with disclosure in such instruments of detailed costs and revenues, including in the accounting plan. Then, the Brazilian federal government will compensate us, each fiscal year, for the difference between market conditions and the operating result or economic return of the assumed obligation.

 

 

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Transactions with the Brazilian federal government that require our Board of Directors approval and occur outside the normal course of business must have been previously reviewed by the minority committee and approved by two-thirds of the board. The minority committee is formed by two members of our Board of Directors appointed by minority common shareholders and preferred shareholders, as well as one independent member, according to our Bylaws.

We have made improvements in our governance decision-making process as well. Our Bylaws already define the board advisory committees that review all matters submitted to the Board of Directors prior to a decision. In order to ensure transparency in our most relevant decisions, we have implemented a shared authorization model, where at least two people must come to a decision (the four-eyes principle).

Our whistleblower channel is an independent, confidential and impartial tool. It is available to external and internal audiences of Petrobras and our controlled companies to register denouncements of fraud, corruption, money laundering, harassment, discrimination, HSE and others issues.

Our Board of Director nominates the chief governance and compliance officer. The majority of the board must approve the dismissal of such an officer, with the vote of at least one of the directors elected by minority shareholders.

We are part of the special Level 2 corporate governance listing segment of the B3, which demands compliance with differentiated governance regulation and the improvement of the quality of the information we provide. This voluntary move to Level 2 of the B3 reinforces our advances in corporate governance and ratifies our commitment to the continued improvement of processes and to our alignment with market best practices.

Possible initiatives related to changes for governance improvements require formality and transparency of process. In most cases, a shareholders’ meeting is required if the proposed change is to a governance rule provided for in our Bylaws, or stems from a legislative amendment if relates to a Law 13.303/16 provision.

Governance Structure

Our corporate governance structure consists of general shareholders’ meetings, our audit committee and Fiscal Council, Board of Directors and its committees, internal and external audits, general ombudsman office, Board of Executive Officers and its committees.

 

LOGO

Our Code of Best Practices gathers our main governance policies and aims to improve and strengthen our governance mechanisms, guiding the performance of our directors, executive officers, managers, employees and collaborators.

 

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Shareholders’ Meeting

The shareholders’ meetings must take place on an ordinary or extraordinary basis. An ordinary shareholders’ meeting must take place once a year in order to approve our accounts and profits. In addition to the matters provided for by law, an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting must take place if called to decide on matters of our best interest, as defined in our Bylaws.

For more detailed information on our shareholders’ meetings, see “Shareholder Information” in this annual report.

 

LOGO

 

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LOGO

 

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OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

Group Financial Performance

We presented solid results in 2019, based on a transformational agenda supported by five pillars: (i) maximization of the return on capital employed, (ii) reduction in the cost of capital, (iii) relentless search for low costs, (iv) meritocracy and respect for people and (v) the environment and focus on the safety of operations. We achieved Net cash provided by operating activities of US$25.6 billion, a Free cash flow of US$18.4 billion and Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure defined below) of US$32.7 billion.

Operating income1 in 2019 was US$20.6 billion, 22.8% higher than 2018 due to gains from assets sales, reduction in production costs and lower contingencies. This positive result was achieved even with lower Brent prices and higher abandonment, selling expenses and higher impairment, alongside the reduction of margins for oil products.

Net income attributable to our shareholders in 2019 was US$10.2 billion, a 41.5% increase compared to 2018, mainly as a result of capital gains on divestments (primarily TAG, BR Distribuidora and E&P assets), partially offset by higher financial expenses associated with liability management, higher impairments and lower Brent prices.

In 2019, we sold the control of Petrobras Distribuidora through a secondary public offering. This transaction was the first privatization of a state-owned company via capital markets in the history of Brazil, carried out in a transparent manner and contributing to the development of the capital markets. Accordingly, pursuant to IFRS 5 – Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, our investment became a discontinued operation, since it represented a separate major line of business. The consolidated statements of income and cash flows for 2019 present net income, operating, investing and financing cash flows relating to this investment in separate line items, as “discontinued operations.” Additionally, the consolidated statements of income and cash flows for 2018 and 2017 were adjusted in a similar manner, in accordance with IFRS 5.

Fluctuations in our financial condition and results of operations are driven by a combination of factors, including:

 

 

the volume of crude oil, oil products and natural gas we produce and sell;

 

 

changes in international prices of crude oil and oil products (denominated in U.S. dollars);

 

 

changes in the domestic prices of oil products (denominated in reais);

 

 

fluctuations in the real vs. U.S. dollar exchange rates and other currencies, as discussed in Note 34.2 to our audited consolidated financial statements;

 

 

the demand for oil products in Brazil;

 

 

the recoverable amounts of assets for impairment testing purposes; and

 

 

the amount of production taxes from our operations that we are required to pay.

Exchange rate variation impacts

As we are a Brazilian company and most of our operations are carried out in Brazil, we prepare our financial statements primarily in reais, which is our functional currency and that of all of our Brazilian subsidiaries. We also have entities that operate outside Brazil which functional currency is the U.S. dollar. We have selected the U.S. dollar as our presentation currency in this report to facilitate the comparison with other oil and gas companies and to translate the audited consolidated financial statements from real into U.S. dollar, we have used criteria set forth in IAS 21 – “The effects of changes in foreign exchange rates.” Based on IAS 21, we have translated (i) all assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate as of the date of the statement of financial position; (ii) all accounts in the statements of income, other comprehensive income and cash flows at the average rates on a quarterly basis and (iii) equity items at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions.

 

 

1

Equivalent to ‘Income before finance income (expense), results in equity-accounted investments and income taxes’ in our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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In order to isolate the foreign exchange translation effect on our results of operations, the table presents a reconciliation of our statement of income to financial information on a constant currency basis, assuming the same exchange rates between each quarter for translation. In 2019, the results on a constant currency basis were computed by converting the 1Q19, 2Q19, 3Q19 and 4Q19 results from reais into U.S. dollars based on the same average exchange rates used in 1Q18, 2Q18, 3Q18 and 4Q18 (3.3238, 3.8558, 4.009 and 3.8748, respectively).

Consolidated Statement of Income and effect of foreign exchange translation

 

     As reported     Financial information on a constant currency basis  
     Jan-Dec     Variation     Jan-Dec2019     Variation(1)  
     US$ million     US$ million  
     2019     2018     D     D(%)     Foreign exchange
translation
effects
    Results on
a constant
currency basis
    D     D(%)  

Sales revenues

     76,589       84,638       (8,049     (10     (6,359     82,948       (1,690     (2

Cost of sales

     (45,732     (52,184     6,452       12       3,856       (49,588     2,596       5  

Gross profit

     30,857       32,454       (1,597     (5     (2,503     33,360       906       3  

Selling expenses

     (4,476     (3,827     (649     (17     347       (4,823     (996     (26

General and administrative expenses

     (2,124     (2,239     115       5       183       (2,307     (68     (3

Exploration costs

     (799     (524     (275     (52     74       (873     (349     (67

Research and development expenses

     (576     (641     65       10       46       (622     19       3  

Other taxes

     (619     (670     51       8       49       (668     2       —    

Impairment of assets

     (2,848     (2,005     (843     (42     184       (3,032     (1,027     (51

Other income and expenses

     1,199       (5,760     6,959       121       (134     1,333       7,093       123  

Operating income

     20,614       16,788       3,826       23       (1,753     22,367       5,579       33  

Net finance income (expense)

     (8,764     (6,484     (2,280     (35     694       (9,458     (2,974     (46

Results of equity-accounted investments

     153       523       (370     (71     (16     169       (354     (68

Income before income taxes

     12,003       10,827       1,176       11       (1,075     13,078       2,251       21  

Income taxes

     (4,200     (4,256     56       1       325       (4,525     (269     (6

Net income from continuing operations for the period

     7,803       6,571       1,232       19       (750     8,553       1,982       30  

Net income from discontinued operations for the year

     2,560       843       1,717       204       (38     2,598       1,755       208  

Net income for the year

     10,363       7,414       2,949       40       (788     11,151       3,737       50  

 

(1)

Variation after isolating foreign exchange translation effects between periods used for translation. The amounts and respective variations presented in constant currency are not measures defined in accordance with IFRS (they are non-GAAP measures). Our calculation may not be comparable to the calculation of other companies and it should not be considered as a substitute for any measure calculated in accordance with IFRS.

For more information regarding our functional and presentation currency, see “About Us” and Note 2.2 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Additionally, fluctuations in exchange rate have multiple effects on our results of operations in reais.

In 2019, the average real depreciated 8.2% against the U.S. dollar, compared to a depreciation of 14.4% in 2018 and an appreciation of 8.3% in 2017. Through March 18, 2020, the real has depreciated by 26.8% against the U.S. dollar, when compared to December 31, 2019.

 

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Exchange and inflation rates

 

     2019   2018   2017

Year-end exchange rate (reais/US$)

   4.03   3.87   3.31

Appreciation (depreciation) during the year(1)

   (4.1)%   (16.9)%   (1.5)%

Average exchange rate for the year (reais/US$)

   3.95   3.65   3.19

Appreciation (depreciation) during the year(2)

   (8.2)%   (14.4)%   8.3%

Inflation rate (IPCA)

   4.31%   3.75%   2.95%

 

(1)

Based on year-end exchange rate

(2)

Based on average exchange rate for the year

When the Brazilian real appreciates against the U.S. dollar, the effect is to generally increase both revenues and expenses when expressed in U.S. dollars. When the Brazilian real depreciates against the U.S. dollar, as it did in 2019, the effect is to generally decrease both revenues and expenses when expressed in U.S. dollars.

Exchange rate fluctuations may affect the results of variables such as the following:

- Margins: The relative pace at which our total revenues and expenses in reais increase or decrease with the exchange rate, and its impact on our margins, is affected by our pricing policy in Brazil. Absent changes in the international prices of crude oil, oil products and natural gas, when the real appreciates against the U.S. dollar, and we do not adjust our prices in Brazil, our margins generally improve. Absent changes in the international prices of crude oil, oil products and natural gas, when the real depreciates against the U.S. dollar and we do not adjust our prices in Brazil, our margins generally decline. However, it is our goal to sell our products in Brazil at parity with international product prices. For further information on our prices, see “Sales Volumes and Prices” in this annual report.

- Debt service: The depreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar also increases our debt service in reais, as the amount of reais necessary to pay principal and interest on foreign currency debt increases with the depreciation of the real. A devaluation of the real also increases our costs to import oil and oil products, imported goods and services necessary for our operations and our production taxes. Unless the depreciation of the real is offset by higher prices for our products sold in Brazil, that is the practice under our currently pricing policy, a devaluation increases our debt service relative to our cash flows while also reducing our operating margins. As our net debt denominated in other currencies increases, the negative impact of a depreciation of the real on our results and net income when expressed in reais also increases, thereby reducing the earnings available for distribution.

- Retained earnings available for distribution: Exchange rate variation also affects the amount of retained earnings available for distribution by us when expressed in U.S. dollars. Amounts reported as available for distribution in our statutory accounting records are calculated in reais and prepared in accordance with IFRS. They may increase or decrease when expressed in U.S. dollars as the real appreciates or depreciates against the U.S. dollar.

We designated hedging relationships to account for the effects of the existing hedge between a foreign exchange gain or loss from portions of our long-term debt obligations (denominated in U.S. dollars) and foreign exchange gain or loss of our highly probable U.S. dollar denominated future export revenues, so that gains or losses associated with the hedged transaction (the highly probable future exports) and the hedging instrument (debt obligations) are recognized in the statement of income in the same periods.

For more information about our cash flow hedge, see Notes 4.8 and 36.2(a) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

For information about our related foreign exchange exposure related, see “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – Exposure to Interest Rate and Exchange Rate Risk” in this section.

For more information about our foreign exchange exposure related to assets and liabilities, see Note 36.2(e) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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Sales Revenues

2019 compared to 2018

Sales revenues were US$76,589 million in 2019, a 10% decrease (US$8,049 million) when compared to US$84,638 million in 2018, mainly due to:

 

 

Decrease in domestic revenues (US$6,591 million), mainly as a result of:

 

  a)

Decrease in oil products revenues (US$5,797 million) primarily reflecting a decrease in the average prices of diesel, gasoline and naphtha when expressed in U.S. dollars, following lower international prices, as well as lower sales of gasoline (mainly due to higher third-party imports and to the higher portion of ethanol in fuel market), decreased sales of naphtha to Braskem, lower sales of diesel (mainly due to higher imports by other players, increased average content of biodiesel, partially offset by the trucker strike in May 2018 and by higher economic growth) and decreased fuel oil sales (as a result of lower sales to thermoelectric plants);

 

  b)

Lower electricity revenues, basically reflecting the decrease of difference settlement prices (US$705 million); and

 

  c)

These effects were partially offset by higher natural gas revenues (US$504 million), following contract price adjustments mainly.

 

 

Increased export revenues (US$2,672 million), mainly driven by higher crude oil export volumes, following increased domestic crude oil production, and by higher oil product export volumes, mainly gasoline and fuel oil; and

 

 

Decreased revenues from operations abroad (US$4,130 million) mainly due to the disposal of the Pasadena refinery, to the sale of E&P assets of PAI and the distribution companies in Paraguay.

2018 compared to 2017

Sales revenues increased by 9% to US$84,638 million in 2018 from US$77,884 million in 2017, driven primarily by:

 

 

Increase in domestic revenues, in the amount of US$2,797 million, mainly as a result of:

 

  a)

Increase in oil products revenues (US$6,260 million), primarily reflecting an increase in the average prices of diesel, gasoline and other oil products, as a result of the increase in international prices, as well as an increase in diesel sales volume due to lower imports from competitors. These effects were partially offset by the decrease in sales volume mainly for gasoline, due to a higher portion of ethanol in the domestic fuel market, as well as lower sales of naphtha to Braskem; and

 

  b)

Decrease in electricity revenues, in the amount of US$1,589 million, as a result of lower prices when expressed in U.S. dollars.

 

 

Increase in export revenues, in the amount of US$2,736 million, driven by an increase in international prices of crude oil and oil products and by higher volume of gasoline exports due to the higher market share of ethanol in the Brazilian market, partially offset by the decrease in crude oil volume exported due to lower production; and

 

 

Increase in revenues from operations abroad, in the amount of US$1,221 million following higher international prices.

Sales volumes and prices

As a vertically integrated company, we process most of our crude oil production in our refineries and sell the refined oil products primarily in the Brazilian market. Therefore, the price of oil products in Brazil tends to have a more significant impact on our financial results than crude oil prices. International oil product prices vary over time as the result of many factors, including the price of crude oil. We intend to sell our products in Brazil at par with international product prices. After the announced divestment plan in refineries and oil production growth take place, we expect that crude oil prices will tend to gain importance.

The average price of Brent Crude Oil (as reported by Bloomberg, an international benchmark of oil prices) was US$64 per barrel in 2019, US$71 per barrel in 2018 and US$54 per barrel in 2017. In December 2019, Brent Crude Oil prices averaged US$66 per barrel.

During 2019, 73.1% of our sales revenues were derived from sales of oil products, natural gas and other products in Brazil, compared to 73.9% in 2018 and 76.8% in 2017.

 

 

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                          For the year ended December 31                       
     2019      2018      2017  
     Volume      Net
Average
Price
     Sales
Revenues
     Volume      Net
Average
Price
     Sales
Revenues
     Volume      Net
Average
Price
     Sales
Revenues
 
     (mbbl,
except as
otherwise
noted)
     (US$)(2)      (US$
million)
     (mbbl,
except as
otherwise
noted)
     (US$)(2)      (US$
million)
     (mbbl,
except as
otherwise
noted)
     (US$)(2)      (US$
million)
 

Diesel (1)

     264,462        87.00        23,007        266,706        93.23        24,865        235,436        83.43        19,642  

Automotive gasoline

     137,928        71.12        9,810        146,681        79.70        11,690        165,456        73.92        12,231  

Fuel oil (including bunker fuel)

     14,408        71.21        1,026        16,846        73.19        1,233        24,304        58.39        1,419  

Naphtha

     29,942        55.74        1,669        35,296        69.55        2,455        48,880        53.95        2,637  

Liquefied petroleum gas

     83,486        49.82        4,159        84,371        53.22        4,490        85,949        46.53        3,999  

Jet fuel

     43,528        88.04        3,832        44,731        94.07        4,208        41,789        78.11        3,264  

Other oil products

     60,453        56.41        3,410        57,380        65.68        3,769        60,904        53.49        3,258  

Subtotal oil products

     634,207        73.97        46,913        652,011        80.84        52,710        662,718        70.09        46,450  

Natural gas (boe)

     127,583        46.47        5,929        125,787        43.13        5,425        131,882        37.92        5,001  

Ethanol, nitrogen products, renewables and other non-oil products

     2,621        93.48        245        6,156        59.45        366        35,149        99.52        3,498  

Electricity, services and others

                   2,907                  4,084                  4,839  

Total Brazilian market

     764,411               55,994        783,954             62,585        829,749             59,788  

Exports

     268,344        67.39        18,085        216,838        71.08        15,413        240,388        52.74        12,677  

International sales

     36,885        68.05        2,510        85,815        77.38        6,640        88,358        61.33        5,419  

Total global market

     305,229               20,595        302,654             22,053        328,745             18,096  

Consolidated sales revenues

     1,069,640               76,589        1,086,608             84,638        1,158,494             77,884  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

In 2018, this line item includes revenues related to the Diesel Price Subsidy Program, described in Note 37 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

(2)

Net average price calculated by dividing sales revenues by the volume for the year.

 

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Cost of Sales

2019 compared to 2018

Cost of sales was US$45,732 million in 2019, a 12% decrease (US$6,452 million) compared to US$52,184 million in 2018, mainly due to:

 

Lower production costs and lower costs from operations abroad, following the disposal of E&P assets of PAI, the sale of distribution companies in Paraguay and the disposal of the Pasadena refinery;

 

 

Decreased eletricity costs due to lower thermoelectric demand; and

 

 

Partially offset by higher import costs and increased domestic crude oil acquisitions, generating higher share of crude oil imports on feedstock processed and of natural gas, following increased prices.

2018 compared to 2017

Cost of sales increased by 2% to US$52,184 million in 2018, compared to US$51,198 million in 2017, mainly due to:

 

Higher production tax expenses and import costs of crude oil, oil products and natural gas, due to higher international prices. Production taxes were also impacted by increased production in fields with higher special participation rates;

 

 

Increased costs from operations abroad, as a result of higher international prices; and

 

 

Higher share of crude oil imports on feedstock processed and of LNG on sales mix, due to lower production.

Foreign exchange translation effects partially offset the aforementioned factors due to the decrease of the average cost of sales when expressed in U.S. dollars, reflecting the depreciation of the average real.

Selling Expenses

2019 compared to 2018

Selling expenses were US$4,476 million in 2019, a 17% increase (US$649 million) compared to US$3,827 million in 2018, mainly due to higher transportation charges, as a result of the payment of tariffs for the use of third-party gas pipelines following the sale of TAG in June 2019, and also increased oil product and crude oil export volumes.

2018 compared to 2017

Selling expenses increased by 6% to US$3,827 million in 2018 from US$3,614 million in 2017, mainly due to increased impairment of trade and other receivables, primarily relating to companies from the electricity sector, higher expenses with LNG regasification terminals and coastal navigation services (cabotage), as well as higher transportation charges. Selling expenses also increased due to the payment of tariffs for the use of third party gas pipelines, following the sale of Nova Transportadora do Sudeste (NTS) in April 2017.

General and Administrative Expenses

2019 compared to 2018

General and administrative expenses were US$2,124 million in 2019, a 5% decrease (US$115 million) compared to US$2,239 million in 2018, mainly due to foreign exchange translation effects that resulted in decreased average general and administrative expenses, reflecting the depreciation of the average Brazilian real, partially offset by higher personnel expenses following wage increases from the collective bargaining agreement in the 4Q18 and from higher wages and promotion of employees, as well as actuarial review of health care and pension plans.

2018 compared to 2017

General and administrative expenses decreased by 16% to US$2,239 million in 2018 from US$2,656 million in 2017. This decrease mainly reflects lower expenses with outsourced consulting, IT and administrative services, following financial discipline of controlling expenses.

 

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Exploration Costs

2019 compared to 2018

Exploration costs were US$799 million in 2019, a 52% increase (US$275 million) compared to US$524 million in 2018, mainly due to higher exploration expenditures written-off with projects without commercial feasibility and increased geological and geophysical expenses.

2018 compared to 2017

Exploration costs decreased by 35% to US$524 million in 2018 from US$800 million in 2017, mainly due to a decrease in exploration expenditures written off on projects without commercial feasibility, in the amount of US$192 million and to a decrease of US$61 million in provisions related to contractual penalties arising from local content requirements. A breakdown of our exploration costs by type is set forth in Note 26 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Impairment of Assets

2019 compared to 2018

We recognized impairment of assets in the amount of US$2,848 million in 2019 mainly for E&P and Refining assets (US$1,956 million and US$697 million, respectively), mainly due to significant reduction in the prices of oil and natural gas projected for the 2020-2024 period and the increase in the provision for the dismantling of areas, due to the reduction in risk-free discount rates, and to changes in the schedule for removal and treatment of oil and gas production facilities. The higher estimates of decommissioning costs of E&P fields in Brazil are notably in cash generating units of Papa-Terra, in Campos Basin, in the Uruguá group (Uruguá and Tambaú fields), in Santos Basin, in the Canapu and Golfinho fields and in the Espĺrito Santo Basin, partially offset by the effects of reversals relating to the disposal of producing fields in Brazil. In addition, we accounted for impairment losses in 2019 due to the postponing of a project to conclude the second refining unit of RNEST, and also due to the writing-off of UFN-III, following our decision to forego the conclusion of this plant. In 2018, we recognized impairment of assets in the amount of US$2,005 million mainly for E&P and Refining assets (US$1,391 million and US$442 million, respectively), primarily driven by higher estimates of decommissioning costs in producing properties in Brazil, the sale of production fields in Gulf of Mexico and lower freight rate forecasts pertaining to transportation assets.

2018 compared to 2017

Impairment of assets in the amount of US$2,005 million were recognized in 2018 mainly for E&P and Refining assets (US$1,391 million and US$442 million, respectively), primarily driven by higher estimates of decommissioning costs in producing properties in Brazil, the sale of production fields in Gulf of Mexico and lower freight rate forecasts pertaining to transportation assets. In 2017, impairment charges of US$1,191 million were mainly related to Refining and Gas and Power assets (US$781 million and US$446 million, respectively), mainly due to higher costs of raw materials and the lower refining margin projection, as well as the lower expectation of a successful sale of fertilizers and nitrogen products plants.

Impairment losses in 2018 were 68% higher when compared to 2017. See Notes 4.2, 4.3 and 25 to our audited consolidated financial statements for more information about the impairment of our assets.

Other Income and Expenses

2019 compared to 2018

Other income and expenses totaled income of US$1,199 million in 2019, compared to an expense of US$5,760 million in 2018, mainly due to:

 

 

Higher net gains on the sale and write-off of assets (US$5,630 milion), as a result of:

 

   

Gain from the disposal of TAG (US$5,458 million);

 

   

Gain on the sale of Pargo, Carapeba and Vermelho fields, mainly with the write-off of provision for abandoned areas, as a result of the assumption by the buyer of expenses for the decommissioning of areas related to the fields (US$787 million);

 

   

Gain on the sale of Riacho da Forquilha Complex (34 onshore producing fields on Potiguar Basin) (US$221 million);

 

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Gain on the sale of distribution companies in Paraguay (US$141 million);

 

   

Gains in 2018, on sale of Lapa and Iara fields (US$689 million) and by the contingent payment received for the sale of Carcará area (US$300 million); and

 

   

Loss on the sale of Tartaruga Verde field and Module III of Espadarte field (US$74 million).

 

 

Lower expenses in 2019 with the Employee Career and Compensation Plan – PCR (a US$2 million expense in 2019 when compared to a US$293 million expense in 2018);

 

 

Lower equalization of expenses related to production individualization agreements, which provide for equalization of expenses and production volumes related to Sapinhoá, Lula, Tartaruga Verde, Berbigão and Sururu fields (a US$2 million income in 2019 when compared to a US$279 million expense in 2018); and

 

 

A lower provision for legal, administrative and arbitration proceedings (a US$1,520 million expense in 2019 when compared to a US$2,283 expense in 2019), mainly due to:

 

   

Unitization agreements with ANP related to the Parque das Baleias complex entered into in 4Q18 (US$928 million);

 

   

Agreement to settle Lava Jato Investigation with U.S. authorities (US$895 million) in the 3Q18;

 

   

Arbitration in the United States for drilling service agreement related to Titanium Explorer (Vantage) drillship in 2018 (US$698 million);

 

   

Lower foreign exchange losses over class action liability exposure in U.S. dollar, as a result of decreased depreciation of the Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar between the years, with definitive termination of the agreement in September 2019 (US$336 million);

 

   

Provision related to the arbitration of Sete Brasil quotaholders in 2019 (US$740 million);

 

   

Reversal of disputes involving state taxes after joining Rio de Janeiro State Tax Amnesty Program in the 4Q18 (US$319 million); and

 

   

Provision due to the environmental accident in the State of Paraná with the OSPAR pipeline in the 3Q19 (Santa Catarina – Paraná Pipeline – US$155 million).

These gains were partially offset by:

 

 

Higher expenses with decommissioning of returned/ abandoned areas (a US$155 million expenses in 2019 compared to a US$621 million reversal of expense in 2018);

 

 

Lower amounts recovered from Lava Jato investigation (a US$220 million income in 2019 when compared to a US$457 million income in 2018); and

 

 

Higher expenses with the Voluntary Separation Program, or PDV (a US$198 million expense in 2019 when compared to a US$2 million reversal of expenses in 2018).

2018 compared to 2017

Other income and expenses totaled US$5,760 million of expenses in 2018, a 4% increase compared to 2017, when totaled US$5,511 million of expenses, mainly reflecting:

 

 

The agreement to settle Lava Jato with U.S. authorities (US$895 million) in the third quarter of 2018;

 

 

An increase of US$1,422 million in provision for legal, administrative and arbitration proceedings, mainly affected by: (i) unitization agreements with the ANP related to the Parque das Baleias complex entered into in the fourth quarter of 2018 (US$928 million); and (ii) arbitration in the United States for drilling service agreement related to Titanium Explorer (Vantage) drillship, also in the fourth quarter of 2018 (US$698 million). These factors were partially offset by reversal of disputes involving state taxes after joining Rio de Janeiro state tax amnesty program in the 4Q18 (US$319 million); and

 

 

Losses on the fair value of commodities put options related to the hedge of part of crude oil production (US$416 million) that were made in 2018.

 

 

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These increases in other expenses were partially offset by:

 

 

Expenses in 2017 that did not recur in 2018, related to the agreement to settle the class action in the United States (US$3,449 million); and

 

 

Decrease in the net gain on the sale and write-off of assets, in the amount of US$1,079 million, mainly driven by the US$1,952 million gain on sale of interests in NTS recognized in 2017, when compared to the gains in 2018, on sale of Lapa and Iara field (US$689 million) and by the contingent payment received for the sale of Carcará area (US$300 million).

Net Finance Income (Expense)

2019 compared to 2018

Net finance expense was US$8,764 million in 2019, a 35% increase (US$2,280 million) when compared to the expense of US$6,484 million in 2018, mainly due to:

 

 

Increased unwinding of discount on lease liabilities, due to the effects of the adoption of IFRS 16 (US$1,504 million);

 

 

Decreased gains from signed agreements in the electric sector (a US$79 million gain in 2019 when compared to a US$724 million gain in 2018);

 

 

Higher net costs on repurchase of debt securities (US$527 million);

 

 

Lower capitalized borrowing costs, as a result of decreased balance of assets under construction (US$482 million);

 

 

Higher unwinding of discount on the provision for decommissioning costs (US$143 million), as a result of higher balance to be abandoned; and

 

 

Partially offset by lower interest on finance debt (US$1,073 million), mainly due to lower average debt, generating decreased interest expenses.

2018 compared to 2017

Net finance expense decreased by 33% to US$6,484 million in 2018 from US$9,719 million in 2017, due to:

 

 

Lower interest expenses (US$765 million) following pre-payment of debt;

 

 

Finance income recognized in 2018 based on the agreements reached and conclusion of the privatization process of companies in the electricity sector (US$724 million); and

 

 

Finance expenses in 2017 following our decision to benefit from Brazilian federal settlement programs (US$837 million).

Results in equity-accounted investments

2019 compared to 2018

We experienced positive results in equity-accounted investments of US$153 million in 2019, a 71% decrease (US$370 million) compared to US$523 million in 2018, mainly as a result of the decreased result in Braskem, due to legal proceedings related to activities at the rock salt mining in Alagoas, partially offset by the positive result of BR Distribuidora, as a result of the follow-on transaction in July 2019 which led to its classification as an equity-accounted investment.

2018 compared to 2017

Gain on equity-accounted investments decreased by 22% from US$673 million in 2017 to US$523 million in 2018, due to lower results in investments in the petrochemical sector, notably Braskem.

Income Taxes

2019 compared to 2018

Income tax expenses were US$4,200 million in 2019, a 1% decrease (US$56 million) compared to US$4,256 million in 2018, remaining relatively flat during the year. The effective tax rate based on our results decreased to 35.0% from 39.3% in 2018.

 

 

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2018 compared to 2017

Income tax expenses were US$4,256 million in 2018, a 151% increase (US$2,559 million) compared to US$1,697 million in 2017, as a result of higher taxable income (before taxes) for the year, partially offset by the tax benefits from the deduction of interest on capital distribution and by our decision, in 2017, to benefit from tax settlement programs.

The effective tax rate based on our results decreased to a rate of 39.3% from a rate of 112.6% in 2017. In 2018 the difference between the statutory corporate tax rate (34%) and our effective tax rate was primarily affected by tax benefits from the deduction of interest on capital distribution (see “Shareholder Information – Dividends – Payment of Dividends and Interest on Capital” in this annual report) and nondeductible expenses and nontaxable income including post-retirement health care plan expenses and results in equity accounted investments.

Tax benefits from interest on capital distribution occur to the extent that we distribute dividends in this manner. Expenses related to post-retirement health care benefits are recognized and we account for results in equity-accounted investees for each reporting period.

See Note 16.5 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of statutory tax rates and our tax expense.

Results of Discontinued Operations

2019 compared to 2018

Net income from discontinued operations in 2019 was US$2,560 million, a 204% increase (US$1,717 million) compared to US$843 million in 2018, mainly due to the gains arising from the follow-on offering of BR Distribuidora in July 2019.

2018 compared to 2017

Net income from discontinued operations in 2018 was US$843 million, representing a 135% increase compared to US$359 million in 2017, mainly due to BR Distribuidora gains arising from agreements signed in 2018 with companies from the electricity sector (US$710 million) and reversal of the provision regarding an extrajudicial settlement of BR Distribuidora relating to tax debt with the state of Mato Grosso (US$347 million), partially offset by higher income tax expenses as a result of increased taxable income.

 

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Segments Financial Performance

Selected financial data by operating business segments

 

     For the year ended December 31  
     2019     2018     19-18     2017  
     (US$ million)     (US$ million)     %     (US$ million)  

Exploration and Production

        

Sales revenues to third parties(1)(2)

     1,062       2,330       (54%)       1,422  

Intersegment sales revenues

     49,400       50,052       (1%)       40,762  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total sales revenues(2)

     50,462       52,382       (4%)       42,184  

Net income (loss)(3)

     12,624       12,190       4%       7,021  

Capital Expenditures(4)

     25,081       11,592       116%       12,397  

Property, plant and equipment

     122,496       116,153       5%       126,487  

Refining, Transportation and Marketing

        

Sales revenues to third parties(1)(2)

     58,106       56,793       2%       50,895  

Intersegment sales revenues

     9,432       16,655       (43%)       16,142  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total sales revenues(2)

     67,528       73,448       (8%)       67,037  

Net income (loss)(3)

     1,021       2,393       (57%)       4,235  

Capital Expenditures(4)

     1,463       1,107       32%       1,284  

Property, plant and equipment

     26,710       27,356       (2%)       33,400  

Gas and Power

        

Sales revenues to third parties(1)(2)

     8,185       8,540       (4%)       9,079  

Intersegment sales revenues

     3,308       3,701       (11%)       3,261  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total sales revenues(2)

     11,493       12,241       (6%)       12,340  

Net income (loss)(3)

     4,180       482       767%       1,912  

Capital Expenditures (4)

     543       433       25%       1,127  

Property, plant and equipment

     8,181       11,057       (26%)       13,231  

Corporate and other Businesses

        

Sales revenues to third parties(1)(2)

     995       1,526       (35%)       1,382  

Intersegment sales revenues

     226       205       10%       201  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total sales revenues(2)

     1,221       1,731       (29%)       1,583  

Net income (loss)(3)

     (6,273     (7,382     (15%)       (13,004

Capital Expenditures (4)

     326       307       7%       276  

Property, plant and equipment

     1,915       2,856       (33%)       3,580  

 

(1)

Not all of our segments have significant third-party revenues. For example, our Exploration and Production segment accounts for a large part of our economic activity and capital expenditures, but has little third-party revenues.

(2)

Revenues from commercialization of oil to third parties are classified in accordance with the points of sale, which could be either the Exploration and Production or Refining, Transportation and Marketing segments.

(3)

Attributable to our shareholders.

(4)

See definition of Capital Expenditures in “Glossary of Certain Terms Used in this Annual Report.”

Exploration and Production

2019 compared to 2018

Net income attributable to our shareholders in E&P segment was US$12,624 million in 2019 compared to US$12,190 million in 2018. Operating income increased due to higher production, lower lifting costs, lower expenses with legal contingencies and higher gains with divestments, partially compensated by higher impairment losses, lower Brent prices and exploratory expenses. See Note 25 to our audited consolidated financial statements for further information about impairment expenses. The lifting cost decreased 12%, mainly due to the increase in production, with the start-up and ramp-up of pre-salt platforms, mainly in the Búzios and Lula fields.

 

 

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2018 compared to 2017

Net income in our E&P segment was US$12,190 million in 2018 compared to US$7,021 million in 2017. Even with lower production, there was an increase in operating income due to the effects of higher Brent prices. In addition, we had greater impairment costs and higher expenses with production taxes and judicial agreements and contingencies, mitigated by the positive result with de-commissioning of areas. See Note 25 to our audited consolidated financial statements for further information about impairment expenses. The lifting cost decreased 4%, mainly due to lower expenses with interventions in wells.

Refining, Transportation and Marketing

2019 compared to 2018

In 2019, net income attributable to our shareholders in the Refining segment was US$1,021 million, which was lower than 2018 (US$2,393 million). Lower operating profit was due to lower margins and volumes of diesel and gasoline sold in the Brazilian market, the exchange translation effect and the reduction in the positive effect of inventory turnover of approximately US$0.8 billion, as well as higher selling expenses, higher impairment (RNEST, COMPERJ and Pasadena) and higher expenses with lawsuits related to environmental taxes alongside contingencies related to the OSPAR pipeline. These factors were partially offset by higher volumes and margins in exports of fuel oil and crude oil. Refining unit cost decreased due to lower personnel costs in U.S. dollars combined with the exchange rate variation during the period.

2018 compared to 2017

In 2018, net income attributable to our shareholders in the Refining segment was US$2,393 million, which was lower than 2017 (US$4,235 million). Operating income was reduced due to the lower margin of oil products, mainly gasoline, diesel and LPG, and higher selling expenses, partially offset by inventories formed at lower prices and lower impairment costs. The implementation of cost optimization measures resulted in a reduction in the unit cost of refining.

Gas and Power

2019 compared to 2018

Net income attributable to our shareholders was US$4,180 million in 2019 compared to US$482 million in 2018. Operating profit increased due to the sale of a 90% interest in TAG June 2019, despite higher selling expenses with the payment of TAG’s tariffs.

2018 compared to 2017

Net income attributable to our shareholders was US$482 million in 2018 compared to US$1,915 million in 2017. The decrease was attributable to higher selling expenses for the use of pipelines of the southeast grid and the gain with the sale of our interest in NTS in 2017, partially offset by better margins and decrease in impairment.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity and capital resources

 

US$ million

   2019     2018  

Adjusted cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period(1)

     14,982       24,404  

Government bonds and time deposits with maturities of more than three months at the beginning of period

     (1,083     (1,885
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period

     13,899       22,519  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     25,600       26,353  

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

     25,277       25,447  

Discontinued operations – net cash provided by operating activities

     323       906  

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (1,684     (4,504

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations

     (3,496     (4,460

Acquisition of PP&E and intangibles assets (except for the Transfer of Rights surplus and other signature bonus) and investments in investees

     (7,224     (11,108

Signature bonus

     (1,339     (841

Transfer of Rights surplus

     (15,341     —    

Proceeds from disposal of assets – Divestment

     10,413       5,791  

Reimbursement of Transfer of rights agreement

     8,361       —    

Dividends received

     1,436       994  

Divestment (Investment) in marketable securities

     198       704  

Discontinued operations – net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     1,812       (44
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(=) Net cash provided by operating and investing activities

     23,916       21,849  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities from continuing operations

     (31,561     (29,694

Net financings

     (24,310     (29,009

Proceeds from financing

     7,464       10,707  

Repayments

     (31,774     (39,716

Repayment of lease liability

     (5,207     —    

Dividends paid to shareholders of Petrobras

     (1,877     (625

Dividends paid to non-controlling interest

     (138     (103

Investments by non-controlling interest

     (29     43  

Discontinued operations – net cash used in financing activities

     (508     (156

Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities

     (32,069     (29,850

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     1,631       (619
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period

     7,377       13,899  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Government bonds and time deposits with maturities of more than three months at the end of period

     888       1,083  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted cash and cash equivalents at the end of period (1)

     8,265       14,982  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Adjusted Cash and Cash Equivalents is a non-GAAP measure that comprises cash and cash equivalents, government bonds and time deposits from highly rated financial institutions abroad with maturities of more than three months from the end of the period, considering the expected realization of those financial investments in the short-term.

 

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Free Cash Flow

We use free cash flow as a supplemental measure to assess our liquidity and support leverage management.

Free cash flow is not defined under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for cash and cash equivalents calculated in accordance with IFRS. Additionally, it may not be comparable to the free cash flow of other companies.

Our free cash flow metric comprises net cash provided by operating activities less acquisition of PP&E, intangibles assets (except for signature bonus, including the bidding for oil surplus of the Transfer of Rights Agreement, paid for obtaining concessions for exploration of crude oil and natural gas) and investments in investees, as presented below:

Reconciliation of free cash flow

 

     Jan-Dec  
     2019     2018  

Net cash provided by operating activities assets

     25,600       26,353  

(-) Acquisition of PP&E and intangible assets (except for the bidding for oil surplus of the Transfer of Rights Agreement)

     (8,556     (11,905

(+) Other signature bonuses paid for exploration of crude oil and natural gas(1)

     1,339       841  

(-) Investments in investees

     (7     (44
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free Cash Flow

     18,376       15,245  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Signature bonuses paid for Concession and Production sharing regimes, included in “Acquisition of PP&E and intangibles assets”.

In addition, in August 2019 we approved a new Shareholder Compensation Policy, which aims to establish an objective parameter for the payment of earnings, providing more transparency to investors on their compensation, considering our indebtedness and cash flow.

For more information on our new Shareholder Compensation Policy, see “Shareholder Information” in this annual report.

Our free cash flow in 2019 increased by 21%, primarily reflecting lower investments in PP&E.

The principal uses of funds in the year ended December 31, 2019 were for debt service obligations, including prepayment of debt and lease payments (US$36,981 million) and acquisition of PP&E and intangibles assets, including the bidding for oil surplus of the Transfer of Rights Agreement (US$23,897 million). These funds were principally provided by operating activities (US$25,373 million), disposal of assets (US$10,413 million), reimbursement relating to the Transfer of Rights Agreement (US$8,361 million) and proceeds from financing (US$7,464 million).

Source of Funds

In 2019, our financing strategy was to fund our necessary capital expenditures and to preserve our cash balance and liquidity while meeting our principal and interest payment obligations.

We pursued our financing strategy in 2019 in the following ways:

 

(i)

using cash flow from operations;

 

(ii)

moving forward with our portfolio management program and continuing with divestments; and

 

(iii)

moving forward with our liability management program, incurring new debt from funding sources to prepay expensive loans with certain of our creditors.

 

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Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased 2.9% to US$25,600 million in 2019, from US$26,353 million in 2018, mainly due to lower crude prices and refining margins and higher payments for contingencies.

Disposal of Assets

From January 01, 2019 through to March 16, 2020, we signed divestment agreements for a total price of US$16.3 billion. We received cash inflow from the sale of assets amounting to US$14.7 billion, which represents the prices paid to us on the closing of the completed transactions and the prepayments related to certain transactions that have not yet been closed.

 

Assets

   Cashed-in(1)
(US$ billion)
 

Full sale of stake in Petrobras Paraguay Distribución Limited (“PPDL UK”), Petrobras Paraguay Operaciones y Logistics SRL (“PPOL”) and Petrobras Paraguay Gas SRL (“PPG”)

     0.38  

Sale of all the shares held by PAI in the companies that encompass Pasadena’s entire refining operations system:
PRSI and PRSI Trading LLC (“PRST”)

     0.47  

Sale of 90% of stake in the TAG.

     8.72  

Sale of 33.75% of Petrobras Distribuidora’s capital stock through the secondary public offering of shares

     2.55  

Sale of our full stake in the Maromba field

     0.02  

Sale of stake in the fields of Pargo, Carapeba and Vermelho, the so-called “Polo Nordeste”, located in shallow waters off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state

     0.32  

Sale of 50% working interest in Tartaruga Verde field (BM-C-36 Concession) and Module III of Espadarte field

     0.95  

Sale of entire 50% interest in PO&G

     0.81  

Sale of 50% of stake in Belem Bioenergia Brasil (“BBB”)

     —    

Sale of full stake in 34 onshore production fields, located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte

     0.30  

Prepayment for the sale of our full stake in the Baúna field

     0.05  

Prepayment for the sale of Pampo and Enchova clusters

     0.05  

Prepayment for the sale of Macau cluster

     0.05  

Prepayment for the sale of Lagoa Parda cluster

     0.001  

Prepayment for the sale of Frade field

     0.008  

Prepayment for the sale of Tucano Sul cluster

     0.001  
  

 

 

 

Total

     14.7  
  

 

 

 

 

(1)

Information updated as of March 9, 2020.

For additional information on divestments, see “Portfolio Management” in this annual report.

Debt

Our proceeds from financing are comprised of global notes issued in the capital markets, debentures issued in the Brazilian market and funds raised from export credit agencies and from domestic and international banking market.

Additionally, our total debt includes lease liabilities. Among changes arising from IFRS 16, the standard eliminated the classification between finance leases and operating leases, providing for a single model for the lessee in which all leases result in the recognition of assets related to the right-of-use of leased assets and lease liability.

The change in accounting requirements has no effects on cash and cash equivalents and did not affect shareholders’ equity.

For more information on IFRS 16, see Note 2.3.1 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Considering the effects of IFRS 16, our gross debt totaled US$87,121 million, and the Net Debt, representing the sum of short and long-term loans and financing and lease liabilities (IFRS 16), deducted by cash and cash equivalents, Brazilian federal government securities and time deposits maturing over three months totaled US$78,861 million. Considering the first time adoption of the IFRS 16 as of January 1, our Net Debt decreased from US$95,953 million to US$78,861 million as a result of repurchase and payments of debt.

 

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Indebtedness

 

LOGO

For reconciliation of Net Debt, a non-GAAP measure, see “Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA Metric” in this annual report.

Finance Debt

Debt profile

In 2019, proceeds from financing amounted to US$7,464 million, principally reflecting: (i) global notes issued in the capital markets in the amount of US$2,980 million, of which US$737 million relates to the reopening of bonds maturing in 2029, and the remaining relates to new bonds issued maturing in 2049; and (ii) debentures issued amounting to US$1,685 million.

We currently issue notes in the international capital markets through our wholly-owned finance subsidiary PGF. We fully and unconditionally guarantee such notes issued by PGF, and PGF is not required to file periodic reports with the SEC. See Note 39 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

In order to protect ourselves from the current crisis relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the volatility in oil prices, we have requested banks to disburse part or our revolving credit lines in the total amount of approximately US$8 billion.

The average cost of our debt fell below 6% per year, reaching 5.9% per year. Meanwhile, the average duration increased from 9.14 years in December 2018 to 10.79 years in December 2019.

 

     2019   2018   2017

Average interest rate

   5.9%   6.1%   6.1

Weighted average maturity (in years)

   10.79   9.14   8.62

Leverage (%)(1)

   44   46   57

 

(1)

This leverage takes into account market capitalization. Considering book value of Equity, the leverage is 52% for 2019, 49% for 2018 and 51% for 2017.

 

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As of December 31, 2019, our total debt due in the short-term, including accrued interest, amounted to US$4,469 million, compared to US$3,667 million as of December 31, 2018.

Our outstanding long-term debt amounted to US$58,791 million as of December 31, 2019, compared to US$80,508 million as of December 31, 2018. This decrease was primarily due to repurchase of global bonds and pre-payment of debt.

See Note 32 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a breakdown of our debt, a roll-forward schedule of our debt by source and other information.

For more information about our securities, including our bonds, see Exhibit 2.4 to this annual report.

Rating

We are rated by the three major rating agencies (S&P, Moody’s and Fitch). Our ratings are based on our financial health and are highly influenced by the Brazilian sovereign rating.

Global rating

 

     2020 (1)    2019 (2)    2018

Standard & Poor’s

   BB-    BB-    BB-

Moody’s

   Ba2    Ba2    Ba2

Fitch

   BB-    BB-    BB-

 

(1)

As of March 16, 2020.

(2)

As of December 31.

Stand alone rating

 

     2020 (1)    2019 (2)    2018 (2)

Standard & Poor’s

   BB    BB    BB-

Moody´s

   Ba2    Ba2    Ba3

Fitch

   BBB    BB+    BB-

 

(1)

As of March 16, 2020.

(2)

As of December 31.

In 2019, S&P, Fitch and Moody’s upgraded our stand-alone credit profile ratings (S&P by one-notch, from BB- to BB; Fitch by two-notches, from BB- to BB+; Moody’s by one-notch, from Ba3 to Ba2). We also had a global rating perspective upgraded from stable to positive by S&P, while Fitch and Moody´s kept us on a stable perspective basis. In 2020, Fitch performed another upgrade on our stand-alone credit profile rating by two-notches, from BB+ to BBB, second level on the investment grade scale. This maintained our global rating at BB- (S&P and Fitch) and Ba2 (Moody’s). These upgrades reflect the overall improvement in our operating and financial performance.

 

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Exposure to interest rate and exchange rate risk

The table below provides summary information regarding our exposure to interest rate and exchange rate risk in our total finance debt portfolio for 2019 and 2018, including short-term and long-term debt.

Total Debt portfolio

 

     Total debt portfolio(1) (%)  
     2019      2018      2017  
     (%)      (%)      (%)  

Real - denominated:

        

Fixed rate

     6.0        3.2        3.3  

Floating rate

     10.6        15.8        16.4  

Sub-total

     16.6        19.0        19.7  

U.S.dollar—denominated:

        

Fixed rate

     44.8        40.4        40.7  

Floating rate

     31.5        33.8        32.4  

Sub-total

     76.3        74.2        73.1  

Other currencies:

        

Fixed rate

     7.1        6.6        6.9  

Floating rate

     0.0        0.2        0.3  

Sub-total

     7.1        6.8        7.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     100.0        100.0        100.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Floating rate debt:

        

Real-denominated

     10.6        15.8        16.4  

Foreign currency-denominated

     31.5        34.0        32.6  

Fixed rate debt:

        

Real-denominated

     6.0        3.2        3.3  

Foreign currency denominated

     51.9        47.0        47.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     100.0        100.0        100.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. dollars

     76.3        74.2        73.1  

Euro

     4.0        4.2        4.9  

GBP

     3.0        2.6        2.2  

Japanese Yen

     0.0        0.0        0.1  

Brazilian reais

     16.7        19.0        19.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     100.0        100.0        100.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Short term and long term.

We practice integrated risk management in every decision-making process with which we are involved. Thus, we do not focus on the individual risks of our operations or business units, but, rather, we take a broader view of our consolidated activities, capturing possible natural hedges where available. With respect to the management of financial risks, including market risks, we use more structural actions through the management of our equity and indebtedness levels, instead of applying the use of financial derivative instruments.

Market risk management focuses on the uncertainties inherent in meeting our objectives and aims at establishing action plans towards a balanced combination of risk, return and liquidity. Acceptable limits for market risks depend on the conditions of the business environment, such as price levels, rates and volatility of risk factors, political, macroeconomic and other uncertainties that significantly influence our economic and financial performance. We define the limits for market risks when elaborating each new strategic plan we adopt, considering our strategic objectives, goals, expected value and the liquidity of financial resources required for the implementation of that strategic plan. The use of financial instruments, such as derivatives, may be necessary to meet our needs.

In general, our foreign currency floating rate debt is principally subject to fluctuations in LIBOR. Our floating rate debt denominated in reais is subject to fluctuations in the Brazilian interbank offering rate, or “DI”, and Brazilian long-term interest rate, or “TJLP”, as fixed by the CMN.

 

 

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We are taking actions to mitigate the potential impact of the discontinuation of LIBOR by 2021 on our debt contracts in order to substitute LIBOR with another reference rate but according to informations that we have until now, we do not believe this event should represent a material risk to our consolidated results and financial condition.

We generally do not use derivative instruments to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuation, but we may utilize these financial instruments in the future.

The exchange rate risk to which we are exposed has greater impact on the balance sheet and derives principally from the incidence of non-real denominated obligations in our debt portfolio. With respect to the management of foreign exchange risks, we take a broader view of our consolidated activities, capturing possible natural hedges whenever they are available, benefiting from the correlation between our income and expenses. For the short term, the management of our foreign exchange risk involves allocating our cash investments between the real and other foreign currencies. Our strategy, reevaluated annually in the revision of our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, may also involve the use of financial instruments, such as derivatives, to hedge certain liabilities, minimizing foreign exchange rate risk exposure, especially when we are exposed to a foreign currency in which no cash inflows are expected, for example, Pound Sterling.

In 2017, we entered into derivative transactions, through our indirect subsidiary Petrobras Global Trading BV (“PGT”), in the form of cross-currency swaps to hedge against exposure in sterling pounds versus U.S. dollars, arising from past issues of bonds in that currency. In 2018, we also entered into, through PGT, derivative operations in the form of non-deliverable forwards to hedge against exposure in euros and sterling pounds versus U.S. dollars, arising from past issues of bonds in that currency.

In September 2019, we contracted derivative operations to hedge against cash flow exposure arising from debt issued in Brazilian reais, the first series of the 7th issue of debentures, with the IPCAxCDI interest rate swap maturing in September 2029 and September 2034 and the CDI x Dollar cross-currency swap operations maturing in September 2024 and September 2029.

We have designated cash flow hedging relationships to reflect the economic essence of the structural hedge mechanism between U.S. dollar-denominated debt and future sales revenues.

See “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – Group Financial Performance – Exchange Rate Variation Impacts” in this annual report and Notes 4.8 and 34.2(a) to our audited consolidated financial statements for further information about our cash flow hedge.

See Note 36.2(e) to our audited consolidated financial statements for more information about our interest rate and exchange rate risks, including a sensitivity analysis demonstrating the potential impact of a 25% (or 50%) adverse change in the underlying variables as of December 31, 2019.

For further information regarding expected maturity schedule and currency, the principal and interest cash flows, related average interest rates of our debt obligations, credit risk and liquidity risk, see Notes 32, 36.4 and 36.5 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Lease Liabilities

With the adoption of IFRS 16, we recognized on January 1, 2019 US$26,575 million in the balance of property, plant and equipment due to the measurement of the right-of-use assets, and the same amount as lease liability. As of December 31, 2019 the amount of lease liabilities totaled US$23,861 million.

Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA Metric

The Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio is a metric used in our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan that supports our management in assessing our liquidity and leverage. All of the metrics included in our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan are in U.S. dollars. Currently, our metric are measured in Brazilian reais.

Adjusted EBITDA represents an alternative measure to our net cash provided by operating activities and is computed by using the EBITDA (net income before net finance income (expense), income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization) adjusted by results in equity-accounted investments, impairment, cumulative foreign exchange adjustments reclassified to the income statement and results from disposal and write-offs of assets.

 

 

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In calculating Adjusted EBITDA, we adjusted our EBITDA for the year by adding foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from provisions for legal proceedings denominated in foreign currencies. Legal provisions in foreign currencies primarily consist of our portion of the class action settlement provision signed in December 2017. The foreign exchange gains or losses on legal provisions are presented in other income and expenses for accounting purposes but management does not consider them to be part of our primary business. In addition, they are substantially similar to the foreign exchange effects presented within net finance income.

Net Debt reflects the gross debt, including lease liabilities, net of “Adjusted Cash and Cash Equivalents” (which is a non-GAAP measure that comprises cash and cash equivalents, government bonds and time deposits from highly rated financial institutions abroad with maturities of more than three months from the end of the period, considering the expected realization of those financial investments in the short-term).

Our Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio is a non-GAAP measure and may not be comparable to the calculation of liquidity measures presented by other companies, and it should neither be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for any measure calculated in accordance with IFRS. This metric must be considered together with other measures and indicators for a better understanding of our financial condition.

We applied the same foreign exchange translation method as set forth in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements for presenting this metric in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, assets and liabilities items were translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate as of the date of the statement of financial position, and all items pertaining to the statement of income and statement of cash flows were translated at the average rates prevailing at each quarter of the years.

Depending on the foreign translation effects on items that comprise this metric, the Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA may differ or even present a different trend when comparing results in reais and U.S. dollars. However, we are pursuing a 1.5 target based on our Net Debt and Adjusted EBITDA computed in reais, as described in “2020-2024 Strategic Plan” in this annual report.

The following table presents, in both currencies, the reconciliation for 2019 and 2018 of the Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure in accordance with IFRS, which is, in this case, the Gross Debt Net of Cash and Cash Equivalents / Net Cash provided by operating activities ratio:

 

     2019      2018      2019      2018  
     (R$ million)      (US$ million)  

Cash and cash equivalents

     29,714        53,854        7,372        13,899  

Government securities and time deposits (maturity of more than three months)

     3,580        4,198        888        1,083  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted cash and cash equivalents

     33,294        58,052        8,260        14,982  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Finance Debt

     254,982        326,161        63,260        84,175  

Lease Liability

     96,179        715        23,861        185  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current and non-current debt—Gross Debt

     351,161        326,876        87,121        84,360  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net debt

     317,867        268,824        78,861        69,378  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

     100,542        92,518        25,277        25,447  

Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued activities

     1,224        3,328        323        906  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities—OCF

     101,766        95,846        25,600        26,353  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income taxes

     -16,400        -15,462        -4,200        -4,256  

Impairment of trade and others receivables

     343        282        87        91  

Trade and other receivables, net

     8,578        -5,983        2,233        -1,536  

Inventories

     -1,208        -7,599        -281        -2,108  

Trade payables

     -3,821        3,557        -989        858  

Deferred income taxes, net

     11,036        1,297        2,798        370  

Taxes payable

     -8,328        -1,358        -2,105        -302  

Others

     -17,683        6,260        -4,650        1,734  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Adjusted EBITDA

     129,249        114,852        32,707        31,502  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations

     128,091        112,035        32,406        30,744  

Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations

     1,158        2,816        301        758  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross debt net of cash and cash equivalents/OCF ratio

     3.16        2.85        3.12        2.67  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio

     2.46        2.34        2.41        2.20  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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Additionally, in order to make it clear that both “Net debt” as well as “Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio” increased in 2019 when compared to 2018 primarily because of the effects of IFRS 16 adoption, we present the following additional information:

 

     2019     2018      2019     2018  
     (R$ million)      (US$ million)  

Net debt

     317,867       268,824        78,861       69,378  

Effects of IFRS 16 adoption on Net debt

     (95,464     —          (23,684     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt excluding the effects of IFRS 16 adoption

     222,403       268,824        55,177       69,378  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Adjusted EBITDA

     129,249       114,852        32,707       31,502  

Effects of IFRS 16 adoption on Adjusted EBITDA

     (17,211     —          (4,353     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Adjusted EBITDA excluding the effects of IFRS 16 adoption

     112,038       114,852        28,354       31,502  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio—excluding the effects of IFRS 16 adoption

     1.99       2.34        1.95       2.20  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Our Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio computed in reais increased from 2.34 to 2.46, due to the IFRS16 effects. We will continue working in order to reach a Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA more consistent with oil and gas industry standards. Our Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio (excluding the effects of IFRS 16 adoption) computed in reais decreased from 2.34 to 1.99, mainly due to proceeds from divestments.

Our Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio computed in U.S. dollar increased from 2.20 at December 31, 2018 to 2.41 at December 31, 2019 reflecting the effects derived from the adoption of IFRS16. Our Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio (excluding the effects of IFRS 16 adoption) computed in U.S. dollar decreased from 2.20 at December 31, 2018 to 1.95 at December 31, 2019 also reflecting the proceeds from divestments.

For information on our Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA target, see “2020-2024 Strategic Plan” in this annual report.

 

 

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Use of Funds

Capital Expenditures

We disbursed a total of US$27,413 million in 2019 (which 91.5% was used in E&P business), a 104% increase when compared to our Capital Expenditures of US$13,349 million in 2018. In line with our previous 2018-2022 Business and Management Plan, our Capital Expenditures in 2019 were primarily directed toward the most profitable investment projects relating to oil and gas production. These expenditures are based on our plan cost assumptions and financial methodology.

Capital Expenditures by business segments

 

For the Year Ended December 31

   2019      2018      2017  
     (US$ million)  

Exploration and Production

     25,080        11,592        12,397  

Refining, Transportation and Marketing

     1,463        1,107        1,284  

Gas and Power

     543        433        1,127  

Corporate and Other Businesses

     328        307        276  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     27,413        13,439        15,084  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For information on our future Capital Expenditures, see “Strategic Plan – 2020-2024 Strategic Plan” in this annual report.

 

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Dividends

Our Board of Directors proposed distribution of dividends in 2019 in the amount of US$2,687 million, most of it as interest on capital.

For more information on our shareholders compensation policy, see “Shareholder Information – Dividends” in this annual report and Note 34.7 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Debt Service Obligations

As of December 31, 2019, our debt maturity profile includes, for the next five years, US$48,558 million in finance debt and lease liability.

Amortization profile (US$ million)

 

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Financial Debt

In 2019, we repaid finance debt in the amount of US$31,774 million notably: (i) US$9,994 million relating to repurchase of global bonds previously issued by us in the capital market, with a net premium paid to bond holders amounting to US$855 million; (ii) pre-payment of banking loans in the Brazilian and global market totaling US$13,446 million; and (iii) pre-payment of US$578 million with respect to financings with the BNDES.

Lease Liabilities

We are the lessee in agreements primarily including oil and gas producing units, drilling rigs and other exploration and production equipment, vessels and support vessels, helicopters, land and buildings.

Changes in the balance of lease liabilities are presented below:

 

     Balance at
January 31,
2018
     Adoption of
IFRS 16
     Remeasurement
/new contracts
     Payment of
principal
and interest
    Unwinding
of discount
     Foreign
exchange
gains
and losses
     Cumulative
translation
adjustment
(CTA)
    Transfer to
assets and
liabilities
held for sale
    Balance at
December
31, 2019
 

In Brazil

     185        5,628        1,239        (1,597     376        160        (246     (241     5,504  

Abroad

     —          20,947        1,060        (3,655     1,138        479        (445     (1,167     18,357  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     185        26,575        2,299        (5,252     1,514        639        (691     (1,408     23,861  

Payments relating to liabilities held for sale

              (84            

Amounts received

              110              

Payments relating to discontinued operations

              19              
           

 

 

             

Net cash used in financing activities

              (5,207            

Payments in certain lease agreements vary due to changes in facts or circumstances occurring after their inception other than the passage of time. These payments are not included in the measurement of the lease obligations.

For additional information on impacts brought up by IFRS 16 see Note 2.3.1 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Other Information

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our outstanding contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2019:

 

     Payments Due by Period  
     Total      < 1 year      1-3 years      3-5 years      > 5 years  
     (US$ million)  

Contractual obligations

                                  
Balance sheet items(1)(6):                                   

Finance Debt(2)

     63,260        4,469        8,660        16,573        33,558  

Lease liability(3)

     32,255        5,901        8,495        4,801        13,058  

Provision for decommissioning costs(4)

     20,502        599        1,745        603        17,555  

Total balance sheet items

     116,017        10,969        18,900        21,977        64,171  

Other contractual commitments

              

Natural gas ship-or-pay(5)

     30,743        2,807        5,823        5,916        16,197  

Service contracts

     93,964        20,245        23,481        14,609        35,628  

Natural gas supply agreements(5)(7)

     5,105        932        2,485        1,688        0  

Leases not yet started

     49,815        1,111        4,030        0        44,673  

Short-term lease arrangements

     101        101        0        0        0  

Purchase commitments

     5,038        3,869        967        177        25  

Total other commitments

     184,684        29,321        37,276        21,562        96,524  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     300,782        40,034        55,686        44,367        160,695  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Excludes the amount of US$40,569 million related to our pension and medical benefits obligations, which are partially funded by US$14,075 million in plan assets. Information on employees’ post-retirement benefit plans, including a schedule of expected maturity of pension and medical benefits obligations, is presented in Note 18 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

(2)

Includes accrued interest, short-term and long-term debt (current and non-current portions). Information about our future interest and principal payments (undiscounted) for the coming years is presented in Note 36.5 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

(3)

IFRS 16, effective as of January 1, 2019, eliminated the classification of leases as either operating or finance leases. For more information on IFRS 16, see Note 2.3.1 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

(4)

Includes US$2,961 million of liabilities related to assets classified as held for sale.

(5)

Import contract was expected to terminate in December 2019, but it will be outstanding until all contracted volume has been delivered.

(6)

Our Brazilian oil and gas agreements require us to invest at least 1% of our gross revenue originating from high productivity oil fields on research and development.

(7)

On March 6, 2020, the Company entered into a new amendment to the long-term Gas Supply Agreement (GSA) with YPFB. The signed amendment refers to the portion of gas contracted in 1999, at the beginning of the Bolivia-Brazil gas pipeline operation, and which has not yet been withdrawn by us.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2019, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Information on critical accounting policies and estimates, which involves a higher degree of complexity in the application of the accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations is provided in our audited consolidated financial statements. Note 4 to our audited consolidated financial statements addresses the estimates that we consider most significant based on the degree of uncertainty, the potential events that may negatively affect our estimates and the likelihood of a material impact if we used a different estimate. These assumptions are based on past transactions and other relevant information and are periodically reviewed by our management. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Additional information, including our significant accounting policies, are provided in each of our explanatory notes to our audited consolidated financial statements.

New accounting Standards and Interpretations

On January 1, 2019, IFRS 16 – Leases and IFRIC 23 – Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments, issued by IASB, became effective. Information on their initial application are set out in Note 2.3 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYESS

Management

Board of Directors

 

LOGO

Our Board of Directors is composed of a minimum of seven and maximum of eleven members and is responsible for, among other things, establishing our general business policies. Our Bylaws were amended in September 2019 to specifically provide that our Board of Directors must be composed by external members only, without any current statutory or employment relationship with us, except for the member designated as our CEO and the member elected by our employees.

As a mixed-capital company with 200 or more employees, in which the Brazilian federal government directly or indirectly holds a majority of the voting rights, our employees have the right to elect one member of our Board of Directors to represent them, by means of a separate voting procedure.

Our Bylaws also provide that, regardless of the rights granted to minority shareholders, the Brazilian federal government always has the right to elect the majority of our directors, regardless of the number of directors.

The term of office of our directors may not exceed two years and any member of our Board of Directors may be re-elected for up to three consecutive times.

In accordance with Brazilian Corporate Law, shareholders may remove any director from office at any time with or without cause at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, and in case of removal of any board member elected through cumulative voting procedure, it will result in the removal of all of the other members elected under the same procedure, after which new elections must occur.

Our Board of Directors must be composed of, at least, 40% independent members, in compliance with Brazilian Corporate Law and B3 Level 2 rules. In case of contradictions between these rules, the stricter rules prevail.

For further information on Level 2 listing segment, see “Shareholder Information” in this annual report.

For further information regarding the composition, attributions and duties of our Board of Directors, see Exhibit 1.1 to this annual report for a copy of our Bylaws.

We currently have the following 10 directors:

Roberto da Cunha Castello Branco

 

LOGO

 

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BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Castello Branco was a member of our Board of Directors between May 2015 and April 2016 and has been our Chief Executive Officer since January 2019. He is an affiliated professor at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV EPGE) and director at the center for studies in economic growth and development at EPGE. Previously, Mr. Castello Branco was a director at Vale S.A., Banco Central do Brasil, Banco Boavista, Banco Boavista Investimentos and Banco InterAtlântico. He also acted as a member of the Board of Directors of GRU Airport, Invepar, ABRASCA, IBEF and director at the American Chamber of Commerce (RJ).

EDUCATION: Mr. Castello Branco holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, with a PHD from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV EPGE) and a postdoctoral degree from University of Chicago. Mr. Castello Branco also participated in executive training programs at Sloan School of Management (MIT) and International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

FAMILY RELATIONS: None

Eduardo Bacellar Leal Ferreira

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Leal Ferreira is a fleet admiral and was the commander of the Brazilian Navy until January 2019. Before he held this position, Mr. Leal Ferreira served in the Brazilian Navy for 48 years in different positions, having been the commander in chief of the Brazilian Navy fleet and the commander of Brazil’s national war college. He was director of the ports and coasts area of the Brazilian Navy which is responsible for the technical supervision of maritime safety of all operating vessels in Brazil, including platforms and support vessels.

EDUCATION: Mr. Leal Ferreira was trained at the Brazilian Naval School, the Brazilian Naval War College, and the Naval War College of Chile.

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

Ana Lúcia Poças Zambelli

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mrs. Zambelli was a member of the Board of Directors of Alcoa América Latina from 2012 to 2014, was senior commercial vice president of Maersk Drilling from 2015 to 2017, vice president of submarine operations and president of South America at Transocean from 2012 to 2015 and Brazil president of Schumberger from 2007 to 2011. She has also served as member of the Board of Directors for Braskem S.A., Museu do Amanhã and IDG – Instituto de Desenvolvimento e Gestão.

EDUCATION: Mrs. Zambelli holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), with a master’s degree in petroleum engineering from Heriot Watt University, Scotland and a post-graduate degree in leadership, innovation and technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

FAMILY RELATIONS: None

 

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Danilo Ferreira da Silva

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Ferreira da Silva is working in the engineering and technical operational support departments at the Paulínia refinery at Petrobras. Mr. Ferreira da Silva began his career at Petrobras in 2003, as a maintenance technician at Replan, where he worked on the implementation of large industrial projects. Mr. Ferreira da Silva was a deliberative counselor from 2011 to 2012 at Fundação Petrobras de Seguridade Social (Petros), an assistant to the CEO from 2013 to 2015 and the administrative financial director from 2015 to 2016. Mr. Ferreira da Silva also acted as a member of the Board of Directors at Fras – Le, from 2014 to 2015, Invepar, from 2015 to 2016, Iguatemi Shopping Centers, from 2016 to 2018, and Totvs, from 2015 to 2017.

EDUCATION: Mr. Ferreira da Silva holds a degree in social sciences and law from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), an MBA in financial management from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) with extension from Ohio University, and a global executive MBA from the Instituto Universitário of Lisbon in partnership with FGV. He is currently a candidate for a degree in pedagogy at Universidade Virtual do Estado de São Paulo (Univesp).

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

João Cox Neto

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Cox has served as president of Telemig Celular and president of Claro, and in other distinguished positions in C-level. Mr. Cox was a member of the Board of Directors of various companies including Embraer, Linx, Qualicorp, Braskem (where he currently is the vice-chairperson), and Vivara (where he currently is the chairperson).

EDUCATION: Mr. Cox has a bachelor degree in economics and attended graduate studies in Economics at the Université du Quebec à Montreal and at the Oxford University’s College of Petroleum Studies program.

FAMILY RELATIONS: None

Marcelo Mesquita de Siqueira Filho

 

LOGO

 

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BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Mesquita is a co-founding partner of Leblon Equities (since 2008) and co-manager of equity funds and of private equity investments. He has approximately 28 years of experience in the Brazilian stock market, having worked at UBS Pactual for 10 years and at Banco Garantia for seven years. At UBS Pactual, he was the co-head of Brazilian Equity Capital Markets; co-head of Brazilian Equities; and head of Brazil Equity Research & Strategy Analysis. At Banco Garantia he was a commodities stock analyst and investment banker. Since 1995, he was appointed by investors as one of the leading analysts in Brazil according to several surveys made by Institutional Investor magazine. He was ranked “#1 Brazil Analyst” from 2003 to 2006 (#3 in 2002, #2 in 2001 and #3 in 2000). He was also ranked as “#1 Stock Strategist in Brazil” from 2003 to 2005.

EDUCATION: Mr. Mesquita holds a degree in economics from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), in French studies from Nancy University II and an OPM (Owner/President Management) from Harvard Business School.

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

Nivio Ziviani

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Ziviani is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Computer Science (DCS) of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), member of our Board of Directors, Technology Park of Belo Horizonte and Kunumi and member of the Technology Council of Digital Transformation of the Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and the National Order of Scientific Merit in the classes Comendador and Gran Cruz. He founded companies from knowledge generated within the DCS/UFMG, namely: Kunumi Neemu, Akwan and Miner. He is the author of the book Design of Algorithms and co-author of over 200 scientific articles in the areas of algorithms, information retrieval, machine learning and artificial neural networks.

EDUCATION: Mr. Ziviani holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UFMG, a master’s degree in informatics from PUC-Rio and a PhD in computer science from the University of Waterloo, Canada.

FAMILY RELATIONS: None

Sonia Julia Sulzbeck Villalobos

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Ms. Villalobos has 33 years of experience in the Brazilian stock market and in 1994 became the first person from South America to receive the CFA charter. Ms. Villalobos worked from 1985 to 1987 at Equipe DTVM, and from 1987 to 1989 at Banco Iochpe as an investment analyst. From 1989 to 1996, she worked at Banco Garantia as the head of the investment analysis department, where she was elected best analyst in Brazil by Institutional Investor Magazine in 1992, 1993 and 1994. She worked for Bassini, Playfair & Associates from 1996 to 2002 and was responsible for private equity in Brazil, Chile and Argentina. From 2005 to 2011, she worked for Larrain Vial as an asset manager. From 2012 to 2016, Ms. Villalobos worked as a founding partner and equity fund manager in Latin America for Lanin Partners. Since 2016, she has been a professor at Insper for post-graduate students in disciplines related to asset management and financial statement analysis. Since May 2016, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of Telefônica do Brasil. Ms. Villalobos has been a member of the Board of Directors for LATAM Airlines Group S.A. since August of 2018. She has also served as member of the Board of Directors for TAM Linhas Aéreas, Método Engenharia (Brasil), Tricolor Pinturas and Fanaloza/Briggs (Chile), Milkaut and Banco Hipotecario (Argentina).

 

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EDUCATION: Ms. Villalobos holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in business administration with a focus in finance, both from the Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo (EAESP-FGV).

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

Walter Mendes de Oliveira Filho

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Mendes has been a member of our Board of Directors since 2019. He is an economist, with professional experience focused on investment management. He was head of Investment Research at Unibanco; head of Schroder Investment Management Brazil; head of Latin American Funds of Schroder Investment Management plc; head of Equity Funds Management at Banco Itau; Partner of Cultinvest Asset Management and Executive Director of CAF (Brazilian Takeover Panel). In 2016, Mr. Mendes became the CEO of Petros – Petrobras Pension Fund. In 2018, he was hired as CEO of Funcesp – Pension Fund of the Power Companies of the State of São Paulo. In 2015, he was appointed by the minority shareholders as member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Mendes was member of the board of other companies, such as Itausa, Invepar and Santa Helena. In 2019, Walter was appointed by the Ministry of Economy as a member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Mendes is also Chairman of Amec–Association of Brazilian Capital Market Investors and member of the board of Abrapp – Association of Brazilian Pension Funds.

EDUCATION: Mr. Mendes holds a degree in economics from the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) and a post-graduate degree from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP).

FAMILY RELATIONS: None

Maria Cláudia Mello Guimarães

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Ms. Guimarães has a solid career in the financial market, where she has worked for 33 years. She was executive officer at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, ING Bank N.V. and Bank Boston, leading the oil & gas, mining, steel and energy sectors. Today she is a partner at KPC Consultoria Financeira focused on wealth management. Recently, she served as a counselor at Constellation Oil Services in Luxembourg. She has extensive experience in corporate finance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, debt restructuring and project financing. Throughout his career, she worked with us and our subsidiaries in Brazil and abroad, through financing projects for the development of the Campos Basin and the Santos Basin, issuances of shares and bonds, development of treasury products and cash management and advising on divestment in the offshore area, having also coordinated a course on mergers, acquisitions and capital markets at Petrobras University.

EDUCATION: Ms. Maria Cláudia has a degree in production engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), with an executive MBA from COPPEAD (UFRJ).

FAMILY RELATIONS: None

 

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Fiscal Council

We have a permanent Fiscal Council composed of up to five members, which council is independent of our management and external auditors. Our Fiscal Council’s responsibilities include, among others: (i) monitoring management’s activities and (ii) reviewing our annual report and audited consolidated financial statements.

The members of our Fiscal Council and their corresponding alternates are elected by our shareholders at the annual shareholders’ meeting for a one-year term. Two consecutive re-elections are permitted under Brazilian Corporate Law. Holders of preferred shares and minority holders of common shares are each entitled, as a class, to elect one member and the corresponding alternate of our Fiscal Council. The Brazilian federal government has the right to appoint the majority of the members of our Fiscal Council and their alternates, of which one member and the corresponding alternate will be necessarily appointed by the Minister of Economy, representing the Brazilian Treasury.

Current members of our Fiscal Council

 

Members of our Fiscal Council

   Year of first
appointment
   Elected/
appointed by

José Franco Medeiros de Morais

   2019    Brazilian federal government/Ministry of Economy

Eduardo César Pasa (Chairman)

   2017    Brazilian federal government

Marisete Fátima Dadald Pereira

   2011    Brazilian federal government

Marcelo Gasparino da Silva

   2019    Minority shareholder

Daniel Alves Ferreira

   2018    Preferred shareholder

Alternate members of our Fiscal Council

     

Gildenora Batista Dantas Milhomem

   2019    Brazilian federal government/Ministry of Economy

Jairez Elói de Sousa Paulista

   2019    Brazilian federal government

Agnes Maria de Aragão da Costa

   2015    Brazilian federal government

Patrícia Valente Stierli

   2019    Minority shareholder

Aloísio Macário Ferreira de Souza

   2019    Preferred shareholder

Executive Officers

 

LOGO

Our Board of Executive Officers is composed of one Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and eight executive officers. According to our Bylaws, our Board of Executive Officers is responsible for our day-to-day management. Our executive officers are not required to be Brazilian citizens but must reside in Brazil. Pursuant to our Bylaws, our Board of Directors elects our executive officers, including the CEO, and must consider personal qualifications, expertise and specialization when electing executive officers. The mandate of our executive officers lasts for two years, and no more than three consecutive re-elections are allowed. Our Board of Directors may remove any executive officer from office at any time and without cause, with a special procedure for the removal of the Executive Director of Governance and Compliance. For deciding on the removal of the Executive Director of Governance and Compliance the Board of Directors must follow a qualified quorum which requires the vote of the Director elected by the minority shareholders or the Director elected by the preferred shareholders.

For further information regarding our Board of Executive Officers, see Exhibit 1.1 to this annual report for a copy of our Bylaws.

 

 

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We currently have the following nine executive officers:

Roberto da Cunha Castello Branco

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Castello Branco was a member of our Board of Directors between May 2015 and April 2016 and has been our Chief Executive Officer since January 2019. He is an affiliated professor at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV EPGE) and director at the center for studies in economic growth and development at EPGE. Previously, Mr. Castello Branco was a director at Vale S.A., Banco Central do Brasil, Banco Boavista, Banco Boavista Investimentos and Banco InterAtlântico. He also acted as a member of the Board of Directors of GRU Airport, Invepar, ABRASCA, IBEF and director at the American Chamber of Commerce (RJ).

EDUCATION: Mr. Castello Branco holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, with a PHD from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV EPGE) and a postdoctoral degree from University of Chicago. Mr. Castello Branco also participated in executive training programs at Sloan School of Management (MIT) and International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

Andrea Marques de Almeida

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mrs. Almeida worked at Vale S.A. for 25 years with extensive experience in Corporate Finance, Global Treasury and Risk Management. She was CFO of Vale Canada in Toronto from 2015 to 2018, most recently holding the position of Global Treasury Executive Manager at Vale.

EDUCATION: Mrs. Almeida is a production engineer, with an MBA in Finance from IBMEC-RJ and an MBA in management from USP, as well as management courses at the Wharton School of Finance and Sloan School of Management (MIT).

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

Anelise Quintão Lara

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mrs. Lara has been our Chief Refining and Natural Gas Officer since March 2019. She joined Petrobras in 1986 and has held various positions since, including executive manager for acquisitions & divestments between April 2016 and March 2019. Prior to that, Mrs. Lara was the joint project team director for the Libra Consortium, ruled by the first production sharing agreement in Brazil. She has managed several activities related to exploration and production, including in reservoir technology, reservoir engineering, subsurface studies, and production development projects for deepwater fields.

EDUCATION: Mrs. Lara earned a bachelor’s of science degree in chemical engineering and a master of science degree in petroleum engineering from Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais, Brazil, as well as a PhD in Earth Sciences from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6), France. She also completed the “Top Management Executive MBA” program at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/COPPEAD Graduate School of Business.

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

 

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Carlos Alberto Pereira de Oliveira

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Oliveira joined Petrobras in 1981, having become a petroleum engineering specialist. Since 1999, he has held various executive positions linked to the senior management of the companies of our group, including executive manager of E&P Corporative from 1999 to 2003, Director of Exploration and Production of Oil and Gas in Petrobras Energia S.A. from 2003 to 2008, Executive Manager of Technical Support for International Affairs from 2008 to 2012, Executive Manager of E&P Investment Management Programs in Drilling Rigs and Stationary Production Units from 2012 to 2013, Executive Manager of Production Development Projects in 2013, Executive Manager of Strategy in 2016 and General Manager of E&P Integrated Asset Management from 2016 to January 2019.

EDUCATION: Mr. Oliveira graduated in mechanical engineering from Instituto Militar de Engenharia do Rio de Janeiro (IME) and in business management from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). He holds a master’s degree in finance and investments from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) and completed a course in Petroleum Finance and Accounting at the University of Texas, in the United States.

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

Eberaldo de Almeida Neto

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Almeida joined Petrobras in 1986 and has held various positions since then. He was our Executive Manager of Supply Chain from 2016 to January 2018, General Manager of Rio de Janeiro Operations Unit from 2012 to 2016, General Manager of Contracting Services Unit from 2006 to 2012 and General Manager of Subsea Services Unit from 1998 to 2006.

EDUCATION: Mr. Almeida holds a degree in electrical engineering from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), a degree in advanced management program from IESE Business School – University of Navarra, Spain and a MBA in advanced business management from Coppead Graduate School of Business/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

Marcelo Barbosa de Castro Zenkner

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Zenkner worked as public prosecutor, member of the prosecution service of the State of Espírito Santo from 1997 to January 2019, where he held multiple roles in the fight against corruption and organized crime. Until April 2016, he held the position of Secretary of State for Control and Transparency of the State of Espírito Santo, which was the first state in Brazil to create an administrative structure and to apply administrative sanctions based on corporate anti-corruption law. From February 2019 to August 2019, he held the position of CEO Consultant and member of the Petrobras Disciplinary Actions Committee, an internal body of our integrity system directly linked to our Board of Directors.

EDUCATION: Mr. Zenkner holds a bachelor degree in law from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), and specialized in civil procedural law at the Catholic University of Petrópolis (UCP). He also holds a master’s degree in fundamental constitutional rights and guarantees from the School of Law of Vitória (FDV) and a PhD in public law, from the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FDUNL).

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

 

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Nicolas Simone

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Simone has held leadership positions in large companies such as Itaú-Unibanco, Lojas Renner, ABInBev and Grupo Boticário, with a strong business expertise in industry, consumer goods, retail and financial market segments.

EDUCATION: Mr. Simone holds a degree in software and systems engineering from O.R.T University – Uruguay with extensive international experience and knowledge of information technology, digital transformation, cyber security, AI, omnichannel, CRM, innovation, sales, logistics, process reengineering, large projects, shared services center (SSC) and industry 4.0.

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

Roberto Furian Ardenghy

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Ardenghy has a diplomatic career with a long experience in energy and oil and gas business. He has held a number of top positions at the Brazilian federal government in Brasília and in Brazilian embassies and consulates outside of Brazil, including Washington, Buenos Aires, Houston and New York. From 2002 to 2007, he worked as chief of staff, president of the ethics committee and head of downstream department at the National Petroleum Agency – ANP. From 2007 to 2011, he served as Corporate Relations Manager at BG E&P Brasil. He was a member of the Upstream Committee of the Brazilian Petroleum Institute and Director of the American Chamber of Commerce of Rio de Janeiro – AmCham Rio. He was also Honorary President of the Brazil-Texas Chamber of Commerce (BRATECC).

EDUCATION: Mr. Ardenghy holds a degree in law from the Federal University of Santa Maria and a master’s degree in international relations and diplomacy, from the Diplomatic Academy of Rio Branco Institute. He also obtained an executive MBA in economics of oil and gas from COPPE at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

Rudimar Andreis Lorenzatto

 

LOGO

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Mr. Lorenzatto joined Petrobras in 1987 and since 1995 has held management positions in several areas as Offshore Wells, Production Operations and Subsea Systems. Between 2013 and 2019, he was Executive Manager of Offshore Wells Construction and Subsea Systems.

EDUCATION: Mr. Lorenzatto graduated in civil engineering from the Federal University of Santa Maria (RS) in 1987. He completed a specialization in petroleum engineering from Petrobras Corporate University in 1989. He also holds MBAs from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) and Columbia University (USA), as well as an Advanced Management Program from INSEAD (France). Between 2012 and 2013, he also worked as a lecturer of production development at the post-graduate program of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

FAMILY RELATIONS: None.

 

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Additional Information on our Board of Directors and Board of Executive Officers

Requirements for Election

Our Bylaws determine certain limitations on the election of our executive officers, members of our management and members of our Board of Directors in addition to criteria set forth by Brazilian Corporate Law, our nomination policy, Law No. 13,303/16, and Decree No. 8,945/16. Thus, in order to be elected, each of our executive officers and each member of our Board of Directors must:

 

(i)

not be a defendant in any legal or administrative proceedings concerning a matter related to the activities to be performed in our company, with an unfavorable ruling by appellate courts;

 

(ii)

not have commercial or financial pending issues claimed or included in official debtor registers, although clarification on such issues may be provided to us;

 

(iii)

demonstrate diligence in solving issues raised in reports of internal or external control bodies in processes and/or activities under their management, when applicable;

 

(iv)

not have violated our Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, Manual of our Program for Corruption Prevention or other internal rules, when applicable;

 

(v)

not have been included in the disciplinary system of any of our subsidiaries or affiliates, nor have been subject to labor or administrative penalty in any other legal entity in the last three years as a result of internal investigations, when applicable.

(vi) have 10 years of experience in leadership, preferably, in business or in a related area, as specified in our nomination policy.

Compensation

Under our Bylaws, our shareholders establish the aggregate compensation, or allocate the compensation on an individual basis, payable to our directors, executive officers, members of our Fiscal Council and advisory committees to our Board of Directors. In case shareholders do not allocate the compensation on an individual basis, our Board of Directors is allowed to do so.

For the year-ended December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount of compensation we paid to all members of our Board of Directors and our Board of Executive Officers was US$7.8 million. As of December 31, 2019 we had nine executive officers and 10 Board of Directors members.

 

     December 31, 2019  
     Board of
Executive Officers
     Board of
Directors
     Fiscal
Council
 

Average number of members in the period

     7.67        9.75        5.00  

Average numbers of paid members in the period

     7.67        5.00        5.00  

Value of maximum compensation (US$)

     658,820.35        42,168.74        33,574.69  

Value of minimum compensation (US$)

     491,623.24        42,168.74        33,574.69  

Average value of compensation (US$)

     710,392.54        47,204.01        32,161.21  

For further information regarding compensation of our employees and officers, see Notes 17 and 37.2 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

In addition, the members of our Board of Directors and executive officers receive medical assistance benefits, as generally provided to our employees and their families. Our executive officers also receive supplementary social security benefits and housing allowance.

We have no service contracts with members of our Board of Directors providing for benefits upon termination of employment. We have a remuneration and succession committee in the form of an advisory committee.

 

 

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For information on our advisory committee, see “Statutory Board Committees” below.

Share Ownership

As of February 29, 2020, the members of our Board of Directors, executive officers and Fiscal Council beneficially held the following shares of our capital stock:

 

     Board of
Directors
     Board of
Executive
Officers
     Fiscal
Council
 

Common shares

     —          —          —    

Preferred shares

     14,380        17,398        9,310  

Accordingly, on an individual basis, and as a group, our directors, executive officers and Fiscal Council members beneficially owned less than one percent of any class of our shares. The shares held by our directors, executive officers and Fiscal Council members have the same voting rights as the shares of the same type and class that are held by our other shareholders. None of our directors, executive officers and Fiscal Council members holds any options to purchase common shares or preferred shares, nor does any other person have any option to purchase our common or preferred shares. We do not have a stock option plan for our directors, officers or employees.

Statutory Board Committees

Our Board of Directors has a total of six statutory advisory committees:

 

 

Investment Committee: responsible for advising our Board of Directors on our strategic plan and other strategic issues. This committee is also responsible for advising our Board of Directors with respect to risks and strategies concerning financial management.

 

 

Audit Committee: for further information on our audit committee, please see “Audit Committee” in this annual report.

 

 

Health, Safety and Environmental Committee: responsible for advising our Board of Directors with respect to global policies related to the strategic management of HSE issues, among other matters. This committee oversees among other issues, those related to our HSE strategy, goals and policies, including the climate strategy.

 

 

People Committee: responsible for advising our Board of Directors with respect to the compensation of members of our senior management and with respect to our general compensation policies and mechanisms, among other matters. This committee has also been responsible for advising our Board of Directors with respect to the changes proposed in our appointment policy; verifying the compliance of the appointment of the members of our Fiscal Council, our Board of Directors, our Board of Executive Officers and external participants from our Board of Directors advisory committees, among other matters. This committee is also in charge of acting as the eligibility committee for us in compliance with Law No. 13,303/16 and Decree No. 8,945/16. As such, this committee helps our shareholders to nominate members of our Board of Directors and our Fiscal Council.

 

 

Minority Committee: responsible for advising our Board of Directors on transactions with related parties involving us, the Brazilian federal government, its entities and foundations, or federal state-owned enterprises on a permanent basis, including following up the revision process of the Transfer of Rights Agreement. The minority committee also advises our shareholders issuing its opinion on certain matters that require approval in shareholders’ meetings, pursuant to article 30, §4 of our Bylaws.

 

 

Conglomerate Audit Committee: approved to meet the requirements of Law No. 13,303/16, which provides the possibility that controlled companies share the costs and structures of their corresponding parent companies. It is responsible for the companies of our group that do not have a local audit committee.

 

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Summary of the composition of our statutory advisory committees

 

LOGO

 

(1)

Committee with external member in the composition.

 

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Audit Committee

We have an audit committee that complies with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Ms. Sonia Julia Sulzbeck Villalobos is our audit committee financial expert and is independent, as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In accordance with our Bylaws, our audit committee is composed exclusively by members of our Board of Directors and advises our Board of Directors. Our audit committee is currently composed of three members and is responsible for, among other matters:

 

 

monitoring, analyzing, and making recommendations to our Board of Directors with respect to the appointment and dismissal of our independent auditors, as well as evaluating the independence of our independent auditors for issuing an opinion on the financial statements and their qualifications and expertise;

 

 

advising our Board of Directors on the review of our annual and quarterly consolidated financial statements, monitoring compliance with relevant legal and listing requirements and ensuring appropriate disclosure of our economic and financial situation filed with the CVM and the SEC;

 

 

advising our Board of Directors and our management, in consultation with internal and independent auditors and our risk management and internal controls units, in monitoring the quality and integrity of our internal control over financial reporting systems, our audited consolidated financial statements and related financial disclosures;

 

 

reviewing and submitting proposals to our Board of Directors relating to the resolution of conflicts between management and the independent auditor relating to our audited consolidated financial statements;

 

 

assessing and monitoring, together with our internal management and audit area, the adequacy of actions to prevent and combat fraud and corruption;

 

 

evaluating and monitoring, jointly with our management and our internal auditors, our transactions with related parties, including a review, at least once a year, of all related parties transactions and a previous analysis of related parties transactions involving amounts higher than certain levels;

 

 

establishing and reviewing procedures for the receipt, retention and processing of complaints regarding accounting, internal control and auditing matters, including procedures for the confidential submission of internal and external complaints relating to the scope of the committee’s activities, as well as receiving, retaining and processing any such complaints;

 

 

evaluating the parameters underlying the actuarial calculations, as well as the actuarial result of the benefit plans maintained by our social security foundation, Fundação Petrobras de Seguridade Social; and

 

 

conducting the formal evaluation of our internal audit executive manager on an annual basis.

With respect to the relationship of our audit committee with our independent auditors, as provided in our Bylaws, our Board of Directors is responsible for deciding, among other matters, the appointment and dismissal of independent auditors and prohibiting our independent auditor from providing consulting services to us during the term of an audit’s contract. Our audit committee has the authority to recommend pre-approval policies and procedures for the engagement of our independent auditor’s services. Our management is required to obtain the audit committee’s pre-approval before engaging independent auditors to provide any audit or permitted non-audit services to us or any of our consolidated subsidiaries. Our audit committee has pre-approved a detailed list of audit services, up to specified monetary thresholds. The list of pre-approved services is updated from time to time. The audit services that are not included in the list, or that exceed the thresholds specified therein, must be directly approved by our audit committee. Our audit committee monitors the performance of the services provided by our independent auditors and reviews and monitors our external auditor’s independence and objectivity.

 

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Principal accountant fees and services

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table sets forth the fees billed to us by our independent auditors KPMG during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

     2019      2018  
     (US$ million)  

Audit fees(1)

     10.1        10.0  

Audit-related fees(2)

     1.0        0.7  

Tax fees(3)

     0.3        0.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fees

     11.4        11.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Audit fees comprise fees billed in connection with the audit of our audited consolidated financial statements (IFRS and Brazilian GAAP), interim reviews (IFRS and Brazilian GAAP), audits of our subsidiaries (IFRS and Brazilian GAAP, among others), comfort letters, consents and review of periodic documents filed with the SEC.

(2)

Audit-related fees refer to assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or reviews of our audited consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “audit fees.”

(3)

Tax fees are fees billed for services related to tax compliance reviews conducted in connection with the audit procedures on our audited consolidated financial statements.

Additional Information on Members of our Audit Committee

All of the current members of our audit committee satisfy the requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In reliance on the exemption in Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv)(E), we have designated two members to our audit committee, Mr. Walter Mendes de Oliveira Filho and Ms. Maria Cláudia Mello Guimarães, who are designated by the Brazilian federal government, which is our controlling shareholder and, therefore, one of our associates. In our assessment, Mr. Oliveira Filho and Ms. Guimarães act independently in performing their responsibilities of an audit committee members under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and satisfies the other requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

Ms. Sonia Julia Sulzbeck Villalobos is also a member of our audit committee, designated by holders of our preferred shares. Ms. Villalobos is our audit committee financial expert and is independent, as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

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Comparison of our Corporate Governance Practices with NYSE Corporate Governance Requirements Applicable to U.S. Companies

Under the rules of the NYSE, foreign private issuers are subject to a more limited set of corporate governance requirements than U.S. domestic issuers. As a foreign private issuer, we must comply with four principal NYSE corporate governance rules: (i) we must satisfy the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act; (ii) our Chief Executive Officer must promptly notify the NYSE in writing after any executive officer becomes aware of any material non-compliance with the applicable NYSE corporate governance rules; (iii) we must provide the NYSE with annual and interim written affirmations as required under the NYSE corporate governance rules; and (iv) we must provide a brief description of any significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those followed by U.S. companies under NYSE listing standards.

The table below briefly describes the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the NYSE corporate governance rules.

 

Section

  

New York Stock Exchange Corporate

Governance Rules for U.S. Domestic Issuers

  

Our Practices

Director Independence

    
303A.01   

Listed companies must have a majority of independent directors.

“Controlled companies” are not required to comply with this requirement.

   We are a controlled company because more than a majority of our voting power is controlled by the Brazilian federal government. As a controlled company, we would not be required to comply with the majority of independent directors requirement if it were a U.S. domestic issuer. According to our Bylaws, we are required to have at least 40% of independent directors.
     
303A.03    The non-management directors of each listed company must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management.    Except for our CEO (who is also a director), all of our directors are non-management directors. The regulation of our Board of Directors provides that if a particular matter may represent a conflict of interests, the CEO must recuse himself from the meeting, which will continue without his presence. Additionally, the board’s regulation also establishes a regular executive session for our Board of Directors matters without management.

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee

    
303A.04   

Listed companies must have a nominating/ corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors, with a written charter that covers certain minimum specified duties.

“Controlled companies” are not required to comply with this requirement.

  

We have a statutory committee that verifies the compliance of the appointment of members of our Fiscal Council, our Board of Executive Officers, and our Board of Directors and the external members of the committees that advise our Board of Directors. Our people committee has a written charter that requires the majority of its members to be independent.

 

Our Board of Directors develops, evaluates and approves corporate governance principles. As a controlled company, we would not be required to comply with the nominating/corporate governance committee requirement if we were a U.S. domestic issuer.

Compensation Committee

         
303A.05   

Listed companies must have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors, with a written charter that covers certain minimum specified duties.

“Controlled companies” are not required to comply with this requirement.

  

We have a committee that advises our Board of Directors with respect to compensation and management succession. Our People Committee has a written charter that requires the majority of its members to be independent.

 

As a controlled company, we would not be required to comply with the compensation committee requirement if we were a U.S. domestic issuer.

 

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Section

  

New York Stock Exchange Corporate
Governance Rules for U.S. Domestic Issuers

  

Our Practices

Audit Committee

    

303A.06

303A.07

   Listed companies must have an audit committee with a minimum of three independent directors that satisfy the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, with a written charter that covers certain minimum specified duties.    Our audit committee is a statutory advisory committee to our Board of Directors and is composed of members that satisfy the independence requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Our audit committee has a written charter that sets forth its responsibilities that include, among other things: (i) strengthening ties with the external auditors, permitting closer supervision of their work and of issues regarding their competency and independence, (ii) assuring legal and regulatory compliance, including with respect to internal controls, compliance procedures and ethics, and (iii) monitoring our financial position, especially as to risks, internal auditing work and financial disclosure; (iv) carry out prior analysis of transactions with related parties that meet the criteria established in the Related Party Transactions Policy, approved by our Board of Directors.

Equity Compensation Plans

    
303A.08    Shareholders must have the opportunity to vote for compensation plans through shares and material reviews, with limited exceptions as set forth by the NYSE’s rules.    Under Brazilian Corporate Law, shareholder approval is required for the adoption and revision of any equity compensation plans. We do not currently have any equity compensation plans.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

    
303A.09    Listed companies must adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines.    We have a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines (Diretrizes de Governança Corporativa) that address director qualification standards, responsibilities, compensation, appraisals and access to information by the management. The guidelines do not reflect the independence requirements set forth in Sections 303A.01 and 303A.02 of the NYSE rules. Certain portions of the guidelines, including the responsibilities and compensation sections, are not discussed with the same level of detail set forth in the commentaries to the NYSE rules. The guidelines are available on our website.

Code of Ethics for Directors, Officers and Employees

    
303A.10    Listed companies must adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers.    We have a Code of Ethics (Código de Ética) and a Conduct Guide (Guia de Conduta), applicable to our directors, executive officers, senior management, employees, interns and service providers within our group, and a Code of Best Practices (Código de Boas Práticas) applicable to our directors, executive officers, senior management, employees and collaborators. No waivers of the provisions of the Code of Ethics, Conduct Guide or Code of Best Practices are permitted. These documents are available on our website.

Certification Requirements

    
303A.12    Each listed company CEO must certify to the NYSE each year that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards.    Our CEO will promptly notify the NYSE in writing if any executive officer becomes aware of any material noncompliance with any applicable provisions of the NYSE corporate governance rules.

 

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Related Party Transactions

In order to comply with Law No. 13,303/16, our Board of Directors approved the annual review of our policy for related party transactions in November 2019, aiming at fostering transparency in our procedures and conducting better corporate governance practices. This policy also aims to guarantee the adequate and diligent decision-making process by our management, observing market conditions and appropriate compensation mechanics, in the event of potential conflicts of interest.

Any related-party transaction in which we are involved and that meets criteria established in our policy, must be previously analyzed by our audit committee, which has to report its conclusions to our Board of Directors on a monthly basis.

Our policy provides for a strict governance procedure for proposed transactions directly or indirectly involving our controlling shareholder. In such cases, whenever there is a need to evaluate potential transactions with the Brazilian federal government, municipalities, foundations or federal state-owned enterprises, our minority committee must issue an opinion on the proposed transactions, provided that such transactions (i) are not in our ordinary course of business and (ii) fall within the purview of our Board of Directors for approval. Any such transaction must be approved by two-thirds of the members present at the meeting of our Board of Directors.

For additional information regarding our outstanding related party transactions, see Note 37 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Transactions with our Board of Directors or Executive Officers

Direct transactions with members of our Board of Directors or our executive officers must follow the conditions of an arms-length transaction and market practice guiding transactions with third parties. None of our Board of Directors members, our executive officers or close members of their families has had any direct interest in any transaction we effected that is or was unusual in its nature or conditions, or material to our business during the year, and which remains in any way outstanding or unperformed. In addition, we have not entered into any transaction with related parties which is or was unusual in its nature or conditions during the current or the three immediately preceding financial years, nor is any such transaction proposed, that is or would be material to our business. We have no outstanding loans or guarantees to the members of our board of directors, executive officers, key management personnel or any close member of their families. For a description of the shares beneficially held by the members of our board of directors and close members of their families, see “Management and Employees – Management – Additional Information on our Board of Directors and Board of Executive Officers – Share Ownership” in this annual report.

Transactions with the Brazilian Federal Government

We have engaged, and expect to continue to engage, in the ordinary course of business in numerous transactions with our controlling shareholder, the Brazilian federal government, and with banks and other entities under its control, including financing and banking, asset management and other transactions. The mentioned transactions amounted to a net asset of US$5,107 million as of December 31, 2019.

As of December 31, 2019, we had a receivable (the Petroleum and Alcohol Account) from the Brazilian federal government of US$304 million.

In addition, we are allowed to invest in securities issued by the Brazilian federal government in Brazil and also abroad, provided that the legal and regulatory requirements are met and taking into consideration market’s best practices and the conservatism that should guide our investments.

As of December 31, 2019, the value of securities issued by the Brazilian federal government that have been directly acquired and held by us amounted to US$1,580 million.

 

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In 2018, after risk assessment, we joined the diesel price subsidy program established by the Brazilian federal government, starting on June 1 and expiring on December 31, 2018. This program granted reimbursements to diesel producers and importers to the extent that their selling prices to the domestic distributors were equal or lower than prices determined in the applicable regulation.

In that year, we accounted for US$1,415 million as revenues with respect to sales of the diesel price subsidy program. We collected the remaining balance of the subsidy in the first two months of 2019. Thus, as of December 31, 2019, there is no remaining balance relating to this program. For more information on such program, see “Legal and Tax – Regulation” in this annual report.

For further information on related party transactions, see Note 37 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Transactions with Eletrobras’ Subsidiaries

In 2019, we and Apolo Investment Fund in Credit Rights (Apolo Fundo de Investimento em Direitos Creditórios) entered into an assignment agreement without recourse relating to all credit rights under the debt acknowledgement by energy distributors in 2014, which financial settlement occurred for the amount of US$2,251 million, with a US$128 million discount.

In 2018, we recognized reversals of credit losses provisions amounting to US$1.3 billion, reflecting agreements signed with Eletrobras group and the privatization of some of its distributors. In 2017, we recognized in our income statement an allowance for impairment, net of reversals, of US$250 million, to cover certain trade receivables due Eletrobras’ subsidiaries that operate in the isolated electricity sector in the Northern region of Brazil.

As of December 31, 2019, the receivables from the isolated electricity system amounted to US$438 million.

Subject to the criteria adopted by our committees and their evaluation, we may request the Brazilian federal government to compensate us for the difference between the amount that would be involved under market conditions and the operating result or economic return derived from the obligations undertaken by us for each fiscal year.

For further information relating to trade receivables from the electricity sector, see Note 13.4 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Employees

Our workforce is our most important asset. Our people management is based on meritocracy, inclusion, diversity, dialogue and respect for our employees.

 

LOGO

 

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     As of December 31,  
     2019      2018      2017  

Our employees by region (not including our subsidiaries, joint operations or structure entities):

 

  

Southeastern Brazil

     36,077        35,699        34,456  

Northeastern Brazil

     7,400        8,608        8,963  

Other locations

     2,939        3,249        3,560  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     46,416        47,556        46,979  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our subsidiaries’ employees by region:

        

Southeastern Brazil

     5,697        7,830        7,606  

Northeastern Brazil

     2,328        2,793        2,999  

Other locations in Brazil

     2,666        3,312        3,309  

Abroad

     876        1,870        1,810  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     11,567        15,805        15,724  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     57,983        63,361        62,703  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We attract and retain valuable employees by offering competitive compensation and benefits, merit-based promotions and a profit-sharing plan (“PLR” – Participação nos Lucros e Resultados). The table below sets forth the main expenses related to our employees for the last three years:

 

     2019      2018      2017  
     (in US$ millions)  

Salaries

     4,184.9        4,355.2        4,972.0  

Employee training

     48.9        55.1        43.5  

Profit-sharing distributions

     43.0        442.0        145.0  

Variable compensation program

     643        265        —    

For more information on profit-sharing distributions and variable compensation program see respectively “Labor Relations” and “Employees Variable Compensation” in this annual report.

Workforce

In accordance with our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, we have been developing an active portfolio management and focusing on the profitability of our operations. To that end, we are seeking to improve our workforceto the business needs, which considers:

 

(i)

our future prospects: partnerships, divestments, asset sales, expansion of activities, etc;

 

(ii)

certain workforce planning metrics and our operating units;

 

(iii)

our need to strengthen knowledge management actions among our employees;

 

(iv)

the performance of our employees and our interest in retaining staff; and

 

(v)

the cost of dismissals.

 

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Turnover Petrobras (not including our subsidiares, joint operations or structure entity)

 

LOGO

One of the tools for workforce adequacy is the identification of our needs and the efficient allocation of our human resources in order to better align the profile of our professionals with the opportunities available in our company. We have an internal personnel movement program called “Mobiliza”. We adopt two other important tools for staff adjustments: the Voluntary Separation Program (“PDV”) or Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (“PIDV”); and, in case of business growth or need for specific skills, new hiring programs by means of public selection processes.

In 2019, we launched a PDV focused on retired employees. In addition to this PDV, we launched two other programs: the first program targets employees of certain areas undergoing divestment processes, and the second program focuses on administrative employees. In 2019, 3,294 employees enrolled in these three programs. Until December 31, 2019, 995 employees left as part of those three PDVs launched in 2019, 12 left as part of the PIDV launched in 2014 and 83 left as part of the PIDV launched in 2016, totaling 1,090 employees.

Time in Petrobras (not including our subsidiares, joint operations or structure entity) (%)

 

LOGO

 

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The total number of employees who have left our company due to PIDV or PDV is 17,590. The total severance paid as a result of these programs was US$1.48 billion, amounting to a financial return of US$7.18 billion in saved costs as of December 2019.

We have also been hiring employees through different public selection processes. In order to determine the number of new employees, we consider both our business demand and our current vacancies.

As the number of dismissals exceeded the number of our new employees in the last several years, the range distribution of our employees by time spent at the company, as well as the age pyramid, underwent significant changes. This created a more balanced professional profile distribution by seniority. Our current workforce profile is appropriate for our growth in terms of knowledge and talent management, which ensures competitive advantage and value to our business.

Labor Relations

We value transparency in our relationships with all of our stakeholders, including trade unions. We maintain relationships with 17 trade unions and one federation (i.e. a top-level union entity) of oil workers, as well as eight unions and one federation of maritime workers. 42% of our employees are unionized, and 97% of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. These agreements include social clauses relating to work, safety conditions, benefits, and other matters and are valid for one year under the current collective bargaining agreement.

In May 2019, we started to negotiate the 2019-2020 collective bargaining agreement (“2019-2020 CBA”) with all of the oil workers trade unions. In September 2019, we sought to mediate the 2019-2020 CBA at the Superior Labor Court (“TST’), and in early November, we signed a new collective bargaining agreement, which sets out a 2.3% increase in salaries and benefits in relation to 2018. In October 2019, we also started negotiating the 2019-2020 collective bargaining agreement with the maritime unions. Negotiations ended in January 2020, and we offered a 1.8% increase in salaries and 2.3% increase in benefits. Currently, our workforce comprises of approximately 130 maritime workers.

In September 2019, we also offered employees holding a higher education degree and receiving a monthly salary of US$2,960.36 or more the option to negotiate their labor conditions through individual employment agreements. Currently, 3% of our employees are under individual employment agreements.

In 2019, we paid out to our employees the amounts determined under our profit sharing plan (“PLR – Participação nos Lucros e Resultados”) for the 2018 fiscal year.

In 2019, no strikes or protests affected our production. In February 2020 the oil workers’ unions launched a strike that lasted 21 days. The strike was against the mothballing of ANSA, one of our subsidiaries, and having no relation whit the 2019-2020 collective bargaining agreement. The Superior Labor Court decreed the strike of oil tankers abusive and illegal. Despite the number of days, there was no impact on production.

Benefits

Employees Variable Compensation

In 2019, in addition to the payment under our PLR, we paid the amounts determined in the 2018 fiscal year related to our variable compensation program (“PRVE” or Programa de Remuneração Variável dos Empregados).

In the first quarter of 2019, our Board of Directors approved a new variable remuneration model for all of our employees: the performance award program (“PPP” or Programa de Prêmio por Performance). The PPP is in line with our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, focusing on meritocracy and enhancing flexibility as we seek more efficiency and alignment with best management practices.

The PPP will be paid in a lump sum payment in case we achieve a net income higher than R$10.0 billion in 2019. The estimated amount of disbursement will depend on certain factors, such as individual employee performance and our performance metrics.

For 2019, the new model replaces other benefits related to variable compensation, such as our PLR and the PRVE.

 

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Main Benefits Granted to Employees

We offer benefits that are commensurate with our size and seek to value our employees. All of our employees are entitled to the same benefits, regardless of their positions or duties. Namely, we offer complementary pension plans, medical assistance and pharmacy benefits. In addition, some of our consolidated subsidiaries have their own benefit plans.

Pension Plans

Until March 2018, we sponsored two pension plans: (i) the Plano Petros do Sistema Petrobras (“PPSP”), a defined-benefit plan closed to new members, and (ii) the Petros-2 Plan (“Petros 2”), a variable contribution plan, open and in force since 2007, and managed by Petrobras Social Security Foundation – Petros.

In April 2018, the PPSP was split up into two plans: (i) one made up of employees and pensioners, who adhered to the new rules of the plan in 2006, 2007 and 2012 (“PPSP-Renegotiated”) and (ii) one for those employees that did not adhere (“PPSP-Not Renegotiated”). In December 2019, the PPSP-Renegotiated and PPSP-Not Renegotiated plans were split into two new plans: (i) one for employees and pensioners who joined the plan before 1970 and (ii) one for employees and pensioners who joined the plan after 1970. Thus, apart from Petros 2, there are currently four defined-benefit plans. Together, these plans cover 96% of our employees.

Due to the effects of the PPSP plans on the sponsor and participants, we, together with Petros, structured a new defined-contribution plan, called the Petros-3 Plan, which will be open for voluntary migration of participants and beneficiaries as soon as it is approved by the appropriate bodies.

Equalization of Petros Plans

The main purpose of our pension plans is to supplement the social security pension benefits of our retired employees. Thus, our employees make mandatory monthly contributions as participants of our plans. However, we started to experience deficits in the Petros plans after Petros stopped admitting new participants in 2002.

In 2017, the PPSP underwent an equalization plan due to a total deficit of US$8.0 billion (as of December 2019). The equalization plan was based on the rules established in the 2015 Deficit Equalization Plan (“DEP 2015”) made by Petros. The remaining term for this equalization plan is 16 years, and as of March 2018 DEP 2015 received the previously outstanding contributions from all participants. These include active and retired employees and pensioners, as well as us, Petrobras Distribuidora and Petros as sponsors, as required by Brazilian law.

We have also been subject to material legal proceedings in connection with the benefits granted by the Petros plans. In 2019, there were judicial discussions regarding extraordinary contributions. These discussions led to injunctions that temporarily suspended extraordinary contributions for certain participants.

After those discussions, contributions to the DEP 2015 began again and the flow of extraordinary contributions continues on a monthly basis. The flow is handled by Petros and monitored by us.

In the year ended December 31, 2019, we disbursed US$256 million in contributions referring to the DEP 2015.

On March 2020 our Board of Directors deliberated on the New Deficit Equalization Plan (“New DEP”) of the PPSP-Renegotiated and PPSP-Not Renegotiated, managed by Petros and in compliance with Brazilian social security legislation.

 

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The New DEP aims to review the DEP 2015, the treatment of the deficit registered in 2018, the utilization of the actuarial plans results achieved in 2019, and the treatment of actuarial impacts related to changes in PPSP-Renegotiated and PPSP-Not Renegotiated plans regulations, approved by the Board of Directors, in compliance with Brazilian social security legislation. Therefore, it was possible to reduce the extraordinary contributions for most of the participants and beneficiaries, as well as to improve the regulations of the plans, which will allow the revision of the regular contributions and will mitigate the need for new equalization plans in the future.

The New DEP will take into account the insufficient resources of such plans, estimated at US$8.36 billion on December 31, 2019, with US$8.0 billion already recognized in the 2015 plan and US$0.36 billion referring to the equalization of the accrued deficit of 2018/2019 and other above-mentioned changes. Of the total amount, US$3.88 billion will be the liability of Petrobras, in strict compliance with the principle of contributory parity provided for in the Constitutional Amendment No. 20/1998. The rest of the deficit will be supported by the other sponsors (Petrobras Distribuidora and Petros) and by participants and beneficiaries.

Petrobras’ liability amount will be paid by extraordinary contributions throughout the life of the plans, in a total of US$3.38 billion, and by cash contribution, in the amount of US$0.5 billion, at the time of the effective implementation of the New DEP. The disbursement of extraordinary contributions is estimated, in the first year, at US$233 million for Petrobras, with a decreasing amortization flow, with 91% of which being amortized over 25 years.

The effective implementation of the New DEP and changes in the plans regulations are still subject to approval by the Secretariat for Coordination and Governance of State-Owned Companies (“SEST”) and by the National Superintendence of Supplementary Pension Plans (“PREVIC”).

The effects of the New Plan on Petrobras’ financial statements will be carried through an intermediate review executed by an independent actuary, when the New DEP is approved, and there may be a positive result from the reduction of commitments to the plans as a compensation to the cash contribution made by us.

The table below presents the benefits paid, contributions made, and outstanding pension liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

 

     2019      2018      2017  
     (in US$ million)  

Total benefits paid – pension plans

     1,552        2,211        1,942  

Total contributions – pension plans(1)

     555        652        300  

Actuarial liabilities(2)

     14,508        10,514        11,028  

 

(1)

Includes contributions by employees and sponsors (except for contributions under the terms of the financial commitment to cover obligations under the pension plans).

(2)

Unfunded pension plans obligations.

For more information on the Petros plan, see “Risks – Risk Factors” in this annual report and Notes 4.4 and 18 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Health and Pharmacy Benefit Plan

We maintain a supplementary health care plan (“AMS” or Assistência Multidisciplinar de Saúde), which provides for medical, hospital and dental care services to all active and retired employees and their dependents, through the participation of our employees.

In 2018, the Interministerial Committee on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises (“CGPAR”) established important drivers for health plan management. CGPAR established new governance and cost guidelines for self-managed health-care benefits of companies controlled by the Brazilian federal state. These guidelines target sustainability and financial-actuarial balance. As of January 2018, we had 48 months to adjust our AMS contribution practices to the new guidelines; however, the adjustments may only occur after the next collective bargaining agreement. As a result, we expect a liability reduction, since the change implies parity limit of costs between us and our employees. Other effects due to our adjustments will be timely measured and considered.

An independent actuary calculates our commitment related to future benefits for plan participants on an annual basis, based on the projected unit credit method. The health care plan is not funded or otherwise collateralized by assets. Instead, we make benefit payments based on annual costs incurred by plan participants.

The AMS benefit also offers coverage of complementary programs, such as the Benefício Farmácia program. The Benefício Farmácia program only covers drugs from a predefined list of chronic or psychiatric diseases. By choosing to use the Benefício Farmácia, the beneficiary must incur costs as determined in the co-participation system.

The table below shows the benefits paid, contributions made and outstanding medical liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

 

     2019      2018      2017  
     (in US$ million)  

Total benefits paid – medical plan(1)

     442        456        466  

Total contributions – medical plan(1)

     442        321        467  

Actuarial liabilities(2)

     11,986        12,236        10,802  

 

(1)

Includes AMS and Benefício Farmácia amounts.

(2)

Unfunded medical plan obligations.

For more information on our employee benefits, see Notes 4.4 and 18 to our audited consolidated financial statements and “Risks – Risk Factors” in this annual report.

 

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LOGO

 

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COMPLIANCE AND INTERNAL CONTROL

Ethical principles guide our business and our relations with third parties.

In order to guarantee an ethical environment for our business, we work to promote a culture of integrity, the prevention, detection and correction of incidents of fraud, corruption and money laundering, the management of our internal controls and the integrity analysis of managers and counterparts.

We have a corporate compliance policy that describes and discloses our commitments to the promotion of the transparency in conducting our business ethically, with zero tolerance for fraud, corruption and money laundering.

In order to integrate and strengthen compliance initiatives, in addition to our corporate compliance policy, we also have a code of ethics (“Code of Ethics”), a conduct guide (“Conduct Guide”), and an ethics commission and a corruption prevention program called Petrobras Corruption Prevention Program (“PCPP”).

Code of Ethics and Conduct Guide

Our Code of Ethics presents ethical principles (such as respect for life and all human beings, integrity, truth, honesty, justice, equity, institutional loyalty, responsibility, diligence, merit, transparency, lawfulness, impersonality and coherence between discourse and practice), as well as conduct commitments for the members of our Board of Directors, audit committee and Board of Executive Officers, our employees, trainees, and business and service providers to follow.

Likewise, our Conduct Guide establishes the basic rules for ethical behavior and professional conduct to be adopted within our company.

Our Code of Ethics and Conduct Guide are available on our website. The information on this website is not and shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this annual report.

Ethics Commission

Our ethics commission is responsible for promoting corporate compliance with ethical principles, and serves as a forum for discussion of subjects related to ethics. Our ethics commission also serves in a consulting capacity for our management and workforce, providing recommendations with respect to topics related to ethics management, proposing rules for the incorporation of new concepts, and adopting measures to comply with legislation and follow best practices that reinforce our zero tolerance approach to acts of misconduct.

Our ethics commission is composed of employees appointed after an internal selection process consisting of interviews and resumes review. Our Board of Directors and our Board of Executive Officers approve each new appointment.

In 2018, our ethics commission reviewed our Conduct Guide and Code of Ethics based on the commission’s previous experiences, benchmarks in related documents, compliance with relevant legislation and internal regulations, and with recommendations of control bodies and consultations with our workforce, management and subsidiaries. In 2019, we announced the new versions of these documents, which are all available on our website. The information on this website is not and shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this annual report.

Petrobras Corruption Prevention Program

The PCPP is our integrity program and it is focused on the prevention, detection and correction of acts of fraud and corruption committed against us. The PCPP is designed for our different stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, investors, partners, public authorities, employees and outsourced service providers.

In performing our activities in Brazil and abroad, we are subject to national and international anti-corruption laws. We work to continually improve our integrity program. It adheres to best practices and anti-corruption laws, particularly Law No. 12,846/13, the FCPA and the U.K. Bribery Act.

 

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Pursuant to the PCPP, we undertake Integrity Due Diligence on our counterparties, seeking to assess the integrity risks inherent in our business relationships. We communicate the findings of such due diligence in degree of integrity risk. Our managers consider these findings in their decision-making processes. In 2019, we evaluated 4,226 counterparties.

In addition, we perform Integrity Background Check for individuals appointed by us for key positions in our company and our subsidiaries and affiliates. This procedure aims to assist managers in making decisions considering the degree of exposure to integrity risks and proposes mitigation measures. In 2019, we conducted 2,748 integrity assessments for key positions in our company.

We also have other compliance mechanisms in place, including a disciplinary policy, risk assessment related to fraud and corruption, a guide to receiving and offering gifts and hospitality, safeguards for anti-money laundering and prevention of terrorism financing and administrative liability proceedings.

In order to raise workforce awareness, we disseminate guidelines on proper conduct and reinforce our ethical values through publications and communications in our internal channels.

We offer e-learning training for all of our employees, especially employees working in activities with greater exposure to compliance risks, as well as the members of our Board of Executive Officers and our Board of Directors. In 2019, we offered training on moral and sexual harassment to around 47,000 employees, in order to disseminate ways to identify, prevent and combat this kind of misconduct.

In 2019, we also offered an e-learning training regarding compliance risks responses to such risks. The module on anti-corruption legislation and business ethics was available until March 2019 and its content was disseminated to over 46,000 employees, including senior management.

In addition to e-learning trainings for all of our employees, we offer face-to-face PCPP courses to:

(i)    managers (230 in 2018 and 150 in 2019);

(ii)    employees who perform activities that are more exposed to compliance risks, such as our employees involved in procurement processes (370 in 2018 and 188 in 2019);

(iii) professionals, including compliance professionals, internal audit and ombudsman (50 in 2018 and 100 in 2019); and

(iv) new employees (450 in 2018) and new compliance employees (121 in 2019).

In 2019, we also provided face-to-face training sessions to senior management, including on the following topics:

 

 

Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct;

 

 

Risk management;

 

 

Compliance;

 

 

Our model of corporate governance and decision process;

 

 

Business performance;

 

 

LGPD;

 

 

Reputation as a strategic driver; and

 

 

Brazilian anti-corruption law.

 

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In 2019, we also promoted the following initiatives:

 

Initiative

  

Description

  

Improvements In 2019

Counterpart’s Training    Training focused on our counterparts, such as: suppliers, clients, sponsored entities, business partners, and those involved in mergers and acquisitions.   

In 2019, we decided to develop and implement a multi-language training focused on our counterparts.

 

The goal of this initiative is to expand to our counterparts the dissemination of our culture of integrity. The training is 25 minutes long and was developed in an online platform. In 2019, almost 290 members from our counterparts completed the training.

 

Petrobras Compliance Week    Annual week-long compliance event (previously held in one day)   

The Petrobras Compliance Week is a week-long event for discussion, round tables and dialogue with compliance authorities and specialists, including with regards to our progress and challenges in combating fraud, corruption and money laundering.

 

Participants include:

 

•   senior management (including of our subsidiaries);

 

•   executive managers;

 

•   general managers;

 

•   authorities and experts;

 

•   members of the ethics committee;

 

•   members of the disciplinary measures committee;

 

•   governance and compliance employees;

 

•   press;

 

•   academics;

 

•   organizations against corruption;

 

•   chief compliance officers of other companies, including state-owned

 

•   companies; and

 

•   other employees.

 

Tone at the Top Strengthening    Senior management continuous communication to the workforce    Senior management recorded pocket videos directed to our workforce reinforcing our widespread commitment towards compliance in order to strengthen our ethical culture.

 

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Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We, along with our CEO and CFO, have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2019. Our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act was being recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms. They also concluded that such disclosure was compiled for and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding the required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing, adequately maintaining and assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Such internal control is a process designed by, or under the supervision of our CEO and CFO, and effected by our board of directors, management and other employees.

The internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and of the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external purposes, in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB.

Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk of becoming inadequate because of changes in its conditions and assumptions.

Our management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 based on the criteria established in the guide called “Internal Controls – Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Audit of the Effectiveness of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our independent registered public accounting firm has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as stated in their report as of December 31, 2019, which is included herein.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In 2019, we implemented changes in our controls related to recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. There were no other significant changes in our controls that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Ombudsman and Internal Investigations

Our general ombudsman office provides channels for receiving comments from our internal and external audience, such as complaints, requests for information, general requests, suggestions, compliments and denouncements.

In order to receive complaints, we provide a specific denouncement channel, operated by an independent external company, and allowing for anonymity of the informants.

All complaints received through the whistleblower channel are forwarded to the ombudsman’s office, which analyzes, classifies, and routes them for follow-up by the appropriate area. Allegations regarding fraud or corruption are sent to the governance and compliance office.

We continuously reaffirm and reinforce our zero-tolerance approach toward fraud and corruption, including by thoroughly investigating all allegations that arise. We take allegations of misconduct seriously – in particular allegations of corruption – and are committed to promptly cooperating with all authorities regarding such investigations, including the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, Brazilian federal police and advisory bodies (the CVM, CGU and TCU). Our governance and compliance office has full access, independence, qualification and autonomy to thoroughly investigate allegations of this nature.

Upon the conclusion of each investigation, we use its material findings to improve our compliance efforts. If the findings in some instances indicate that any of our former and current employees did not comply with certain internal policies, we may take action in accordance with applicable labor laws and our applicable employment policies.

Irrespective of the findings of our internal investigations, in order to mitigate potential risks of further non-compliance with our internal policies, we continue to develop and implement a number of measures aimed at improving corporate governance, our management of processes and risk management and controls, including those related to fraud and corruption.

 

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LOGO

 

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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Listing

 

LOGO

Delisting in Argentina

Our common and preferred shares have been traded on the Bolsa de Comercio de Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires Stock Exchange) since 2006. On November 11, 2019, however, we delisted our common and preferred shares from the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and withdrew from the public reporting regime in Argentina, as authorized by the Comisión Nacional de Valores (CNV), the Argentinian capital markets regulatory authority, exempting us from a public offering of our shares in accordance with CNV General Resolution 779. After the delisting, our shareholders in Argentina had the option to either maintain their shares deposited with the Argentinian market custodian, or sell them in markets where our shares are still traded.

The delisting is in accordance with our business strategy, which focuses on cost reduction and concentration in our core business operations.

 

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Corporate Governance of B3 – Level 2

Since 2018, we have been listed in the corporate governance Level 2 listing segment of the B3. Below are some of our corporate governance practices implemented due to our listing on the Level 2 listing segment:

 

 

the attributions of our minority committee were expanded;

 

 

our Board of Directors is composed of at least 40% of independent members;

 

 

we started to disclose an annual calendar of corporate events;

 

 

we must assure 100% of tag along to holders of our preferred shares – under the same conditions granted to holders of our common shares; and

 

 

we provide an arbitration procedure for matters arising from, and relating to, Level 2 rules and regulation.

Shares and Shareholders

Our capital stock is composed of common and preferred shares, all without par value and denominated in reais. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, the number of our preferred shares may not exceed two-thirds of the total number of our shares.

Our shares are negotiated on the B3 and registered in book-entry form. Banco Bradesco performs services of safekeeping and transfer of shares.

Holders of our common shares are entitled to one voting right for each unit of common shares held. Holders of our preferred shares are not entitled to voting rights, except for: (i) the right to appoint one member of our Board of Directors and one member of our Fiscal Council; and (ii) certain matters relating to preferred shares (such as creation, increasing, changes in the preferences or creation of a new class), whenever rights of holders of preferred shares are adversely affected.

In the U.S., our common or preferred shares, which are evidenced by ADRs, are listed in the form of ADSs on the NYSE. The ADSs are registered and delivered by a depositary bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A (“JPMorgan” or “Depositary”) which, since January 2, 2020, acts as the depositary for both of our common and preferred ADSs. The ratio of ADR to our common and preferred shares is two shares to one ADR.

The rights of ADS holders differ from shareholders rights. With respect to voting rights, ADS holders may only vote by means of proxy voting cards mailed to the ADR depositary bank while shareholders have the right to vote directly at the shareholders’ meeting.

On February 29, 2020, there were 1,593,801,740 outstanding common shares and 624,070,098 outstanding preferred shares represented by ADSs. There has been no change in the past three fiscal years in the amount of our issued share capital, as well as in the number of our common and preferred shares or in the voting rights of our common and preferred shares. See Exhibit 1.1 to this annual report for a copy of our Bylaws.

After a slight increase in our stock value in 2017, our stock value increased again in 2018, and outperformed our peers at the NYSE (Amex Oil index or AMEXOIL) in 2019, as well as performed slightly below the Ibovespa index (or IBOV) at the B3.

 

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Stock Performance since 2017

Index No = 100 on 01/01/2017

 

LOGO

ADR Performance since 2017

Index No = 100 on 01/01/2017

 

LOGO

 

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The following table sets forth information concerning the ownership of our common and preferred shares as of February 29, 2020 by the Brazilian federal government and certain public sector entities:

 

Shareholders

   Common
Shares
     %      Preferred
Shares
     %      Total
Shares
     %  

Brazilian federal government

     3,740,470,811        50.26        —          —          3,740,470,811        28.67  

BNDES

     —          0.00        135,248,258        2.41        135,248,258        1.04  

BNDES Participações S.A. – BNDESPar

     11,700,392        0.16        900,210,496        16.07        911,910,888        6.99  

Social Participation Fund

     6,000,000        0.08        —          —          6,000,000        0.05  

All members of our Board of Directors (permanent and alternate), executive officers and members of our Fiscal Council (permanent and alternate) (22 people in total)

     0      0.00      41,088      0.00      41,088      0.00

Others

     3,684,282,939        49.50        4,566,542,946        81.52        8,250,825,885        63.25  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     7,442,454,142        100.00        5,602,042,788        100.00        13,044,496,930        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For detailed information on the shares held by the members of our Board of Directors, executive officers and members of our Fiscal Council, see “Management and Employees” in this annual report.

Public offerings of secondary distribution of shares

In June 2019, Caixa Econômica Federal sold 241,340,371 of our common shares through a public secondary offering, simultaneously distributed in Brazil and abroad (in form of ADSs). The fixed price was R$30.25 per share, totaling R$7,300,546,222.75.

Likewise, in February 2020, BNDES sold 734,202,699 of our common shares through a public secondary offering, simultaneously distributed in Brazil and abroad (in form of ADSs). On February 20, 2020, the price was fixed in R$ 30.00 per share, totaling R$ 22,026,080,970.00.

In each case, the ADSs’ price is equivalent to the price per share converted to US dollars, based on the exchange rate for the sale of that currency (PTAX) released by the Central Bank of Brazil.

Under Brazilian Corporate Law, the Brazilian federal government is required to own at least a majority of our voting shares.

Although the Brazilian federal government does not have different voting rights than our other shareholders, as long as it holds a majority of our voting share, any change in our control would require a change in applicable laws. Our Bylaws also provide for rules applicable to any eventual transfer of control of our major shareholders.

The majority of our voting shares also gives the Brazilian federal government the right to elect a majority of our directors, regardless of the rights our minority shareholders may have to such election according to our Bylaws.

Additionally, our Bylaws clearly state that we may have our activities guided by the Brazilian federal government in order to contribute to the public interest that justified our creation. However, if the Brazilian federal government’s guidelines lead us to undertake obligations and responsibilities under conditions different from those of any other company in the private sector that operates in the same market, such obligations and responsibilities shall be defined in law or regulation and shall have their costs and revenues broken down and disclosed. In addition, the Brazilian federal government shall compensate us, at each fiscal year, for the difference between market conditions and the operational result or economic return from such obligation.

 

 

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Our shareholding base includes over 400,000 shareholders at the B3 and over 100,000 ADR accounts at the NYSE.

 

LOGO

 

*

Information about our shareholders as of February 29, 2020.

Pursuant to CVM regulations, any (i) direct or indirect controlling shareholder, (ii) shareholder who has elected members of a Brazilian public company’s Board of Directors or Fiscal Council, as well as (iii) person or group of persons representing the same interest, in each case that has directly or indirectly acquired or sold an interest that exceeds (either upward or downward) the threshold of 5%, or any multiple thereof, of the total number of shares of any type or class, must be disclosed by such Brazilian public company, immediately after the acquisition or sale of shares, to the CVM and the B3.

 

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Self-Dealing Restrictions

In accordance with our Relevant Act or Fact Disclosure and Negotiation of Securities Policy, the trading by us or any related party of securities issued by us, our subsidiaries or our associates (that are public companies) is forbidden, in the following periods:

(i) 15 days before the disclosure of our quarterly information and annual information; and (ii) in the period between the decision taken by the competent corporate body to increase or reduce the share capital, to distribute dividends, bonus shares or issue other securities by us, and the publication of the respective notices or announcements.

Our directors, the members of our audit committee, their respective alternates and members with any technical or advisory functions created by provisions of our Bylaws, are obliged to inform us in the event of ownership and trading of securities issued by us or our subsidiaries, which are public companies. They should also indicate the securities issued by us and/or our subsidiaries, which are public companies, owned by related persons.

Dispute Resolution

As a company listed on the B3’s Level 2, our Bylaws provide for mandatory dispute resolution, by means of arbitration before the Câmara de Arbitragem do Mercado, or the Market Arbitration Chamber, concerning any dispute or controversies that may arise among us, our shareholders, our management and members of our Fiscal Council, related to or arising from the application, validity, effectiveness, interpretation, violation and effects of the provisions contained in the applicable Brazilian law, regulations and our Bylaws.

Entities that are part of the direct and indirect public administration, as our company and our controlling shareholder, may use arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism only for disputes involving negotiable economic rights. As a result, such entities cannot submit to arbitration any non-negotiable rights (direitos indisponíveis), such as those deemed to relate to public interest. Therefore, decisions of the Brazilian federal government exercised at any general shareholders’ meeting, if based or related to public interest, will not be subject to an arbitration proceeding.

Shareholders Rights

Shareholders’ Meeti-ngs and Voting Rights

Our shareholders have the power, through voting at the shareholders’ meeting, to decide on any matters related to our corporate purposes and to pass any resolutions they deem necessary for our protection and development, except for certain powers exclusively held by our corporate governing bodies.

Our annual shareholders’ meeting takes at our headquarter, in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil, at the end of April each year. Additionally, our Board of Directors or, in some specific situations set forth in Brazilian Corporate Law, our shareholders or Fiscal Council, may call our extraordinary shareholders’ meetings.

The notice of the annual shareholders’ meeting and related documents must be published at least 30 calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting date.

For ADS holders, we are required to provide notice to the ADS depositary at least 30 calendar days prior to a shareholders’ meeting. Upon receipt of our shareholders’ meeting notice, the depositary must fix the ADS record date and distribute to ADS holders a notice. This notice must contain (i) final information particular to such vote and meeting and any solicitation materials, (ii) a statement that each holder on the record date set by the depositary will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, subject to any applicable provisions of Brazilian law as well as our Bylaws, and (iii) a statement as to the manner in which these instructions can be given, including instructions to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us. Our shareholders may vote in person, at the meeting, or remotely, prior to the date of the meeting. Electronic participation in shareholders’ meetings is not available to ADS holders, which may only vote by means of proxy voting cards mailed to the ADR depositary bank.

 

 

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Quorum

Attendance quorum. In order to start, shareholders representing at least one-fourth of our issued and outstanding common shares must attend our shareholders’ meeting, except when the matter to be decided aims to amend our Bylaws. In this case, a valid meeting requires the attendance of shareholders representing at least two-thirds of our issued and outstanding common shares. If the required quorum is not reached, our Board of Directors may call a second meeting by sending a notice at least eight calendar days prior to the new scheduled meeting. The attendance quorum requirements will not apply to such second meeting, but the voting quorum requirements described below shall be observed.

Voting quorum. Matters to be approved at our shareholders’ meeting must be approved by the quorums specified below.

 

 

Matter approved by majority vote (of holders of common shares attending the meeting):

 

   

amend our Bylaws;

 

   

approve any capital change;

 

   

elect or dismiss members of our Board of Directors and Fiscal Council (and its respective alternates), subject to the right of our preferred shareholders to elect or dismiss one member of our Board of Directors and to elect one member of our Fiscal Council (and its respective alternates) and to the right of our employees to elect or dismiss one member of our Board of Directors;

 

   

receive the yearly financial statements prepared by our management and accept or reject management’s financial statements, including the allocation of net income for payment of the mandatory dividend and allocation to the various reserve accounts;

 

   

authorize the issuance of debentures, except for the issuance of non-convertible unsecured debentures or the sale of such debentures when in treasury, which may be approved by our Board of Directors;

 

   

accept or reject the valuation of assets contributed by a shareholder in consideration for increase of capital stock;

 

   

approve the disposal of convertible debentures issued by our wholly-owned subsidiaries and held by us;

 

   

establish the compensation of the former members of our Board of Executive Officers, our Board of Directors, our Fiscal Council, including the compensation due during the period of six months of forfeiture provided for in our Bylaws, and of advisory committees to our Board of Directors;

 

   

approve the cancellation of our registration as a publicly-traded company; and

 

   

approve the requirements of our nomination policy, in addition to the requirements provided by law applicable to boards of directors and fiscal councils.

 

 

Matter approved by at least one-half of the common shares of our total capital stock:

 

   

reduce of the mandatory dividend distribution;

 

   

merge into another company or consolidate with another company, subject to the conditions set forth in Brazilian Corporate Law;

 

   

participate in a group of companies subject to the conditions set forth in Brazilian Corporate Law;

 

   

change our corporate purpose, which must be preceded by an amendment to our Bylaws by federal law, as we are controlled by the Brazilian federal government and our corporate purpose is established by law;

 

   

spin-off of a portion of us, subject to the conditions set forth in Brazilian Corporate Law;

 

   

waive the right to subscribe to shares or convertible debentures issued by our wholly-owned subsidiaries or associate;

 

   

decide on our dissolution;

 

   

create preferred shares or increase the existing classes of preferred shares, without preserving the proportions to any other class of preferred shares, except as set forth in or authorized by our Bylaws;

 

   

change the preferences, privileges or redemption or amortization conditions of any class of preferred shares; and

 

   

create new class of preferred shares entitled to more favorable conditions than the existing classes.

 

 

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Matter approved by a special quorum:

 

   

select a specialized company to work out the appraisal of our shares by economic value in the event of the cancellation of our registry as a publicly-traded company, which matter must be approved by the majority of votes from the holders of the outstanding shares that are present at the meeting. According to B3´s Level 2 regulation, outstanding shares means all the shares issued by a company, except for the shares held by the controlling shareholder, by persons linked to such controlling shareholder and by the company’s managers, as well as those shares in treasury and special class of preferred shares which purpose is to guarantee differentiated political rights and, be non-transferable and exclusive property of the privatizing entity. This matter must only be discussed in a shareholders’ meeting installed with the presence of at least 20% of the holders of the outstanding shares in a first call, or the presence of any number of holders of the outstanding shares in a second call.

Pursuant to Law No. 13,303/16, no decision taken at any shareholders’ meeting can change the corporate status of our company (i.e. sociedade anônima).

Under Brazilian Corporate Law, if a shareholder has a conflict of interest with a company in connection with any proposed transaction, the shareholder may not vote in any decision regarding such transaction. Any transaction approved with the vote of a shareholder having a conflict of interest may be annulled and such shareholder may be liable for any damages caused and be required to return to the company any gain it may have obtained as a result of the transaction.

Also under Brazilian Corporate Law, minority shareholders representing at least 10% of the company’s voting capital have the right to demand that a cumulative voting procedure be adopted to entitle each common share to as many votes as there are board members and to give each common share the right to vote cumulatively for only one candidate of our Board of Directors or to distribute its votes among several candidates. Pursuant to regulations promulgated by the CVM, the 10% threshold requirement for the exercise of cumulative voting procedures may be reduced depending on the amount of capital stock of the company. For a company like us, the threshold is 5%. Thus, shareholders representing 5% of our voting capital may demand the adoption of the cumulative voting procedure.

Regarding the right to appoint members of our Board of Directors and our Fiscal Council, the following should be highlighted:

 

(i)

our minority preferred shareholders that together hold at least 10% of the total capital stock (excluding the shares held by our controlling shareholder) have the right to elect and remove one member to our Board of Directors at a shareholders’ meeting, by a separate voting procedure;

 

(ii)

our minority common shareholders have the right to elect and remove one member to our Board of Directors, if a greater number of directors is not elected by such minority shareholders by means of the cumulative voting procedure;

 

(iii)

our employees have the right to directly elect one member to our Board of Directors by means of a separate voting procedure, pursuant to Law No. 12,353/10; and

 

(iv)

subject to the provisions of applicable law, the Brazilian Minister of Economy has the right to elect and remove one member of our Board of Directors.

Brazilian Corporate Law and our Bylaws provide that, regardless of the exercise by our minority shareholders of the rights related to the cumulative voting process, the Brazilian federal government always has the right to appoint the majority members of our directors and our Fiscal Council.

Other Shareholders’ Rights

In addition to their voting rights, shareholders have the following rights:

Preemptive rights: Each of our shareholders has a general preemptive right to subscribe for shares or securities convertible into shares in any capital increase, in proportion to his or her shareholding. A minimum period of 30 days following the publication of notice of a capital increase is assured for the exercise of the right, and the right is transferable. Under our Bylaws and Brazilian Corporate Law, and subject to the requirement for shareholder approval of any necessary increase to our authorized share capital, our Board of Directors may decide not to extend preemptive rights to our shareholders, or to reduce the 30-day period for the exercise of preemptive rights, in each case with respect to any issuance of shares, debentures convertible into shares or warrants in the context of a public offering.

 

 

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In the event of a capital increase by means of the issuance of new shares, holders of ADSs and holders of common or preferred shares would have, except under circumstances described above, preemptive rights to subscribe for any class of our newly issued shares. However, holders of ADSs may not be able to exercise the preemptive rights relating to the common and preferred shares underlying their ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available.

For more information, see “Risks – Risk Factors – Equity and Debt Securities Risks” in this annual report.

Redemption and rights of withdrawal: Brazilian Corporate Law provides that, under limited circumstances, shareholders have the right to withdraw their equity interest from a company and to receive payment for the portion of shareholder’s equity attributable to their equity interest.

This right of withdrawal may be exercised by the holders of the adversely affected common or preferred shares, provided that certain conditions set forth in Brazilian Corporate Law are met, in the event that we decide to:

 

 

increase the existing classes of preferred shares, without preserving the proportions to any other class of preferred shares;

 

 

change the preferences, privileges, redemption or amortization conditions of any class of preferred shares or to create a new class of preferred shares entitled to more favorable conditions than the existing classes;

 

 

merge into another company or to consolidate with another company;

 

 

participate in a centralized group of companies as defined under Brazilian Corporate Law;

 

 

reduce the mandatory distribution of dividends;

 

 

change our corporate purposes;

 

 

spin-off a portion of us;

 

 

transfer all of our shares to another company or to receive shares of another company in order to make the company whose shares are transferred a wholly-owned subsidiary, known in Brazil as incorporação de ações; or

 

 

acquire control of another company at a price that exceeds the limits set forth in Brazilian Corporate Law.

This right of withdrawal may also be exercised in the event that the entity resulting from a merger, consolidation or spin-off of a listed company and us do not negotiate new shares in the secondary market, within 120 days from the date of the shareholders’ meeting approving the transaction, in accordance with the applicable SEC regulations.

Considering that our Bylaws do not provide for rules to determine any value for redemption, under Brazilian Corporate Law, any redemption of shares arising out of the exercise of such withdrawal rights would be made based on the book value per share, determined on the basis of the last balance sheet approved by our shareholders. However, if a shareholders’ meeting giving rise to redemption rights occurred more than 60 days after the date of the last approved balance sheet, a shareholder would be entitled to demand that his or her shares be valued on the basis of a new balance sheet dated within 60 days of such shareholders’ meeting. In this case, we would immediately pay 80% of the amount of reimbursement calculated based on the last balance sheet and, after the special balance sheet has been drawn up, we would pay the balance within 120 days from the date of the shareholders’ meeting resolution. The right of withdrawal lapses 30 days after publication of the minutes of the shareholders’ meeting that approved the matters described above. We would be entitled to reconsider any action giving rise to withdrawal rights within ten days following the publication of the minutes of the meeting ratifying the decision if the payment of the price of reimbursement of the shares to the dissenting shareholders would jeopardize our financial stability.

Liquidation: In the event of a liquidation, holders of preferred shares are entitled to receive, prior to any distribution to shareholders, payment for the portion of shareholder’s equity attributable to their equity interest.

Conversion rights: Our common shares are not convertible into preferred shares, nor are preferred shares convertible into common shares.

Liability of our shareholders for further capital calls: Neither Brazilian Corporate Law nor our Bylaws provide liability for our shareholders for further capital calls. Our shareholders’ liability for capital stock is limited to the payment of the issuance price of the shares subscribed or acquired.

 

 

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Rights not subject to waiver: According to Brazilian Corporate Law, neither a company’s Bylaws nor decisions taken at a shareholders’ meeting may deprive a shareholder of some specific rights, such as the right to:

 

 

participate in the distribution of profits;

 

 

participate in any remaining residual assets in the event of liquidation of the company;

 

 

supervise the management of the corporate business as specified in Brazilian Corporate Law;

 

 

exercise preemptive rights in the event of a subscription of shares, debentures convertible into shares or subscription warrants (other than with respect to a public offering of such securities, as may be set out in the Bylaws); and

 

 

withdraw from the company in the cases specified in Brazilian Corporate Law.

Dividends

Payment of Dividends and Interest on Capital

Our dividend payments are subject to the provisions of Brazilian Corporate Law and applicable local laws and regulations, our Bylaws and our dividend distribution policy.

Our distributions can include dividends and/or interest on capital. The payment of interest on capital to our shareholders is subject to withholding income tax, pursuant to the Brazilian tax laws, which is not levied upon payments of dividends. The holders of ADSs are also subject to withholding income tax, unless provided otherwise by their applicable law.

Our preferred shares have preference in the distribution of dividends and interest on capital. Thus, the payment of dividends to holders of common shares is subject to the right to dividend distributions held by the holders of preferred shares.

In 2019, we approved a new dividend distribution policy, called “Shareholders Compensation Policy,” which more clearly defines the rules and procedures related to the distribution of dividends and interest on capital. Our Shareholders Compensation Policy seeks to guarantee our short, medium and long-term financial sustainability and the predictability of the payment flow to our shareholders and it is based on the assumption that we need financial flexibility and stability for the maintenance of our businesses.

 

 

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Petrobras new Shareholders Compensation Policy

 

LOGO

 

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Our Shareholders Compensation Policy includes the following dividends:

 

 

Annual: The decision to distribute dividends and other earnings depends on a number of factors, including our financial results and condition, cash needs, future prospects of current and potential markets in which we operate, existing investment opportunities, maintenance and expansion of our production capacity. The payment of annual dividends is based on our year-end audited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Intermediate Dividends (dividendos intercalares): Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law, we may distribute intermediate dividends, which shall be calculated based on our balance sheet issued during the current fiscal year and not yet approved by our shareholders, i.e. before we have determined our full-year earnings.

 

 

Interim Dividends (dividendos intermediários): Our Board of Directors may also approve the payment of interim dividends, which shall be calculated based on our profit reserve account existing in the last balance sheet approved by our shareholders’ meeting (i.e. these dividends are paid based on either an annual or semi-annual balance sheet already approved by our shareholders). The amount of interim dividends distributed cannot exceed the amount of our capital reserves.

Pursuant to our Bylaws, intermediate and interim dividends and interest on capital shall be allocated as minimum mandatory dividend, including for the purpose of paying the minimum priority dividends of preferred shares.

Law No. 9,249/95, as amended, provides for distribution of interest on capital to shareholders as an alternative form of distribution. Such interest is limited to the daily pro rata variation of the TJLP interest rate, the Brazilian federal government’s long-term interest rate. The effective payment or credit of interest on capital depends on the existence of profits, calculated before deducting interest, or accumulated profits and profit reserves, in an amount equal to or greater than twice the amount of the interest to be paid or credited.

We may treat these payments of interest on capital as a deductible expense for calculating real profit, but the deduction cannot exceed the greater of:

 

 

50% of net income before taking into account such distribution, in case these are considered expenses, based on the calculated profit after taking into account any deductions for social contributions on net income and before deducting income tax for the period in respect of which the payment is made; or

 

 

50% of profit reserves.

With respect to the payment of dividends, our shareholder must also consider the following:

 

 

Taxation: Any payment of interest on capital to ADS holders or shareholders, whether or not they are Brazilian residents, is subject to Brazilian withholding taxes at the rate of 15% or 25%. The 25% rate applies only if the beneficiary is resident in a tax haven. The amount paid to shareholders as interest on capital, net of any withholding tax, may be included as part of any mandatory distribution of dividends. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, we are required to distribute to shareholders an amount sufficient to ensure that the net amount received, after payment by us of applicable Brazilian withholding taxes in respect of the distribution of interest on capital, is at least equal to the mandatory dividend.

For more information on Brazilian taxation of ADSs and our shares, see “Legal and Tax – Taxation Relating to the ADSs and our Common and Preferred Shares” in this annual report.

 

 

Date of payment: Under Brazilian Corporate Law and our Bylaws, dividends are generally required to be paid within 60 days following the date they are declared, unless a shareholders’ resolution sets forth for another date of payment, which, in any case, must occur prior to the end of the fiscal year in which the dividend was declared.

 

 

Adjustments: The amounts of dividends due to our shareholders are subject to financial charges at the SELIC rate from the end of each fiscal year through the date we actually pay such dividends.

 

 

Unclaimed dividends: Shareholders have a three-year period from the dividend payment date to claim dividends or interest on capital payments with respect to their shares, after which the amount of the unclaimed dividends reverts to us.

In 2019, we anticipated the remuneration to shareholders, as interest on capital in the amount of US$1,008 million and, in February 2020, we paid an additional US$1,230 million. Our total distributions to shareholders for 2019 amounts to US$2,687 million and will be voted at our shareholder’s annual general meeting to occur in 2020. The remaining amount to be received by shareholders will take into consideration the amount already paid in advance.

For further information, see Note 34.7 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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Mandatory distribution

Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law and our Bylaws, we must comply with two mandatory distributions of dividends, both of which are provided in our Shareholders Compensation Policy.

 

(i)

We must pay at least 25% of our adjusted net income, after deducting allocations to the legal reserve and further allocations eventually required by Brazilian Corporate Law; and

 

(ii)

Holders of our preferred shares have priority to receive the mandatory dividend amount, as well as to receive a payment in the event of reimbursement of capital. They are also entitled to minimum annual non-cumulative preferential dividends in case we declare dividends equal to the higher of (a) 5% of their pro rata share of our paid-in capital, or (b) 3% of the book value of their preferred shares.

To the extent that we declare dividends on our common shares in any particular year in an amount that exceeds the minimum preferential dividends, holders of preferred shares would be entitled to an additional dividend amount per share in the same amount per share paid to holders of common shares. Holders of preferred shares also participate equally with common shareholders in share capital increases derived from the incorporation of reserves and profits.

Brazilian Corporate Law, however, permits a publicly held company such as ours to suspend the mandatory distribution of dividends in case our Board of Directors and our Fiscal Council report to the annual general shareholders’ meeting that the distribution would not be advisable due to the company’s financial condition. In this case, our Board of Directors must file an explanation for suspending the distribution of dividends with the CVM. Profits not distributed due to such a suspension must be allocated to a special reserve and, if not absorbed by subsequent losses, must be distributed as soon as our financial condition allows for such payments.

Allocation of net income

At each annual general shareholders’ meeting, our Board of Directors and Board of Executive Officers are required to recommend how to allocate net income for the preceding fiscal year. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, net income is obtained after deducting statutory holdings of the employees, managers and beneficiary parties.

In accordance with Brazilian Corporate Law, an amount equal to our net profits, as further reduced by amounts allocated to the legal reserve, to the fiscal incentive investment reserve, to the contingency reserve or to the unrealized income reserve established by us in compliance with applicable law (discussed below) and increased by reversals of reserves constituted in prior years, is available for distribution to shareholders in any given year. After the distribution of preferred dividends, a percentage of net income may be allocated to a contingency reserve for anticipated losses that are deemed probable for future years. Any amount so allocated in a prior year must be either (i) reversed in the fiscal year in which the reasons justifying the reserve cease to exist, or (ii) written off in the event that the anticipated loss occurs.

A portion of the net income from donations or government grants for investments may also be allocated to the creation of a tax incentive reserve.

If the mandatory distribution amount, determined without deducting the amount of unrealized profits from its calculation basis, exceeds the sum of realized net income in a given year, this excess may be allocated to an unrealized revenue reserve. Brazilian Corporate Law defines realized net income as the amount of net income that exceeds the sum of the net positive result of equity adjustments and profits or revenues from operations whose financial results take place after the end of the next succeeding fiscal year. As long as we are able to make the minimum mandatory distribution described below, we must allocate an amount equivalent to 0.5% of subscribed and fully paid-in capital at year-end to a statutory reserve. The reserve is used to fund the costs of research and technological development programs. The accumulated balance of this reserve cannot exceed 5% of the subscribed and fully paid-in capital stock.

Brazilian Corporate Law also provides for the retention of profits, which cannot be approved in the event there is mandatory dividend distribution, and must be in accordance with the terms of our capital budget previously approved by the shareholders’ meeting.

A portion of our net income that exceeds the minimum mandatory distribution may be allocated to fund working capital needs and investment projects, as long as such allocation is based on a capital budget previously approved by our shareholders. Capital budgets for more than one year must be reviewed at each annual shareholder meeting.

The creation of statutory reserves and the retention of profits cannot be approved to the detriment of the mandatory dividend.

 

 

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Additional information for foreign shareholders

Foreign investors may trade their shares directly on the B3 (non-Brazilian holders) or through ADSs on the NYSE. There are no restrictions on ownership of our common or preferred shares in Brazil by individuals or legal entities domiciled outside Brazil and all of them are entitled to the rights and preferences of our common or preferred shares, as the case may be.

The ability to convert dividend payments and proceeds from the sale of common or preferred shares or preemptive rights into foreign currency and to remit such amounts outside Brazil is subject to restrictions under foreign investment legislation (Brazilian foreign exchange controls). However, if foreign investors are registered with the CVM, in accordance with CMN Resolution No. 4,373, they may use the dividend payments and proceeds from the sale of shares to buy and sell securities directly on the B3, which generally requires, among other steps, the registration of the relevant investment with the Central Bank of Brazil. Nonetheless, any non-Brazilian holder who registers with the CVM in accordance with CMN Resolution No. 4,373 may buy and sell securities directly on the B3. Such non-Brazilian holders must appoint a local representative in Brazil who will be required, among other duties, to register and keep updated with the Central Bank of Brazil the record of all transactions of such investors on the B3.

The right to convert dividend payments and proceeds from the sale of shares into foreign currency and to remit such amounts outside Brazil may also be subject to restrictions under foreign investment legislation. If any restrictions are imposed on the remittance of foreign capital abroad, they could hinder or prevent the Central Depositária, as custodian for the common and preferred shares represented by the ADSs, or registered holders who have exchanged ADSs for common or preferred shares, from converting dividends, distributions or the proceeds from any sale of such common or preferred shares, as the case may be, into U.S. dollars and remitting the U.S. dollars abroad.

Non-Brazilian Holders on B3

Under CMN Resolution No. 4,373, foreign investors may invest in almost all financial assets and engage in almost all transactions available in the Brazilian financial and capital markets, provided that certain requirements are fulfilled. Therefore, a foreign investor must:

 

(i)

appoint at least one representative in Brazil, with powers to perform actions relating to the investor’s investment;

 

(ii)

register as a foreign investor with the CVM;

 

(iii)

appoint at least one authorized custodian in Brazil for the investor’s investments;

 

(iv)

register all portfolio investments of the foreign investor in Brazil, through the investor’s representative, with the Central Bank of Brazil; and

 

(v)

comply with other requirements provided for under CVM Instruction No. 560/15.

After the fulfillment of these requirements, the foreign investor will be able to trade in the Brazilian financial and capital markets.

Securities and other financial assets held by investors under CMN Resolution No. 4,373 must be registered or maintained in deposit accounts or under the custody of an entity duly licensed by the Central Bank of Brazil or the CVM. In addition, any transfer of securities held under CMN Resolution No. 4,373 and CVM Instruction No. 560/15 must be carried out in the stock exchanges or through organized over-the-counter markets licensed by the CVM, except for transfers resulting from private transactions.

ADS Holders

CMN Resolution No. 4,373 allows Brazilian companies to issue depositary receipts in foreign exchange markets. We currently have an ADR program for our common and preferred shares duly registered with the CVM and the Central Bank of Brazil. The proceeds from the sale of ADSs by holders outside Brazil are free of Brazilian foreign exchange controls.

 

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JPMorgan is the depositary for both of our common and preferred ADSs as of January 2, 2020. The Depositary will register and deliver the ADSs, each of which currently represents (i) two shares (or a right to receive two shares) deposited with an agent of the Depositary acting as custodian, and (ii) any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the Depositary. The Depositary’s corporate trust office at which the ADSs will be administered is located at 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11, New York, New York 10179, United States.

The Depositary has obtained from the Central Bank of Brazil an electronic certificate of registration with respect to our existing ADR program. Pursuant to the registration, the custodian and the Depositary will be able to convert dividends and other distributions with respect to the relevant shares represented by ADSs into foreign currency and to remit the proceeds outside Brazil.

In the event that an ADS holder exchanges ADSs for the underlying common or preferred shares, the holder will be required to obtain registration as a foreign investor in Brazil pursuant to CMN Resolution No. 4,373 by appointing a local representative and obtaining a certificate of registration from the Central Bank of Brazil. Failure to take these measures may subject the holder to the inability of converting the proceeds from the disposition of, or distributions with respect to, the relevant shares, into foreign currency and to remit proceeds outside of Brazil. Additionally, the holder may be subjected to a less favorable Brazilian tax treatment than a holder of ADSs. If the foreign investor resides in a tax haven jurisdiction, the investor will also be subject to less favorable tax treatment.

For more information, see “Risks – Risk Factors – Equity and Debt Securities Risks” and “Legal and Tax – Taxation Relating to Our ADSs and Common and Preferred Shares” in this annual report.

Fees Payable by ADS holders

ADS holders are required to pay various fees to the Depositary, including: (i) an annual fee of US$0.05 (or less) per ADS for administering the ADR program, and (ii) amounts in respect of expenses incurred by the Depositary or its agents on behalf of ADS holders, including expenses arising from compliance with applicable law, taxes or other governmental charges, facsimile transmission, or conversion of foreign currency into U.S. dollars. In both cases, the Depositary may decide in its sole discretion to seek payment by directly billing investors or by deducting the applicable amount from cash distributions. ADS holders may also be required to pay additional fees for certain services provided by the Depositary, as set forth in the table below.

 

Depositary Services

  

Fees Payable By Ads Holders

Issuance and delivery of ADSs, including issuances resultingfrom a distribution of shares or rights or other property

   US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof)

Distribution of dividends

   US$0.03 (or less) per ADS per year

Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal

   US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof)

Fees Payable by the Depositary to Petrobras

The Depositary reimburses us for certain expenses we incur in connection with the administration and maintenance of the ADR program. These reimbursable expenses comprise, among others, investor relations expenses, listing fees and legal fees.

Purchases of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, neither any “affiliated purchaser,” as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act, nor we, have purchased any of our equity securities.

 

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LOGO

 

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LEGAL AND TAX

Regulation

Segments Regulation

Exploration & Production

Under Brazilian law, the federal government owns all crude oil and natural gas subsoil accumulations in Brazil, and any state or privately owned company can carry out the exploration and production of such oil and natural gas accumulations in the country. There are three different types of E&P contracts: (i) Concession Regime; (ii) Production Sharing; and (iii) Transfer of Rights.

Concession Regime

Until 1997, we were the Brazilian federal government’s exclusive agent to carry out exploration and production of oil and gas in Brazil.

In 1997, the Brazilian federal government established a concession-based regulatory framework and created an independent regulatory agency to regulate the oil, natural gas and renewable fuel industry in Brazil, namely the ANP. This framework and the ANP created a competitive environment in the oil and gas sector.

The concession-based regulatory framework granted us the right to explore crude oil reserves in each of our already existing producing fields under concession contracts for an initial term of 27 years from the date when they were declared commercially profitable. These are known as the “Round Zero” concession agreements. This initial 27-year period for production can be extended at the request of the concessionaire, subject to approval from the ANP.

Starting in 1999, all areas that were not already subject to concessions became available for public bidding conducted by the ANP. We participated in these biddings both independently or through partnerships with private companies (as operator or as non-operator, in a case-by-case analysis).

According to Law No. 9,478/1997, and as per our concession agreements for exploration and production activities, we are entitled to the oil and gas exploited from the concession areas and we are required to distribute to the Brazilian federal government a portion of the corresponding proceeds.

For information related to Taxation under Concession Regime for Oil and Gas, see item “Legal and Tax – Tax” in this annual report.

Production-Sharing Contract Regime for Unlicensed Pre-Salt and Potentially Strategic Areas

Discoveries of large oil and natural gas reserves in the pre-salt areas of the Campos and Santos Basins prompted a change in the legislation regarding oil and gas exploration and production activities. In 2010, laws were enacted to regulate contracts under a production-sharing regime in the pre-salt area, as defined under Law No. 12,351/2010 and in potentially strategic areas. The enacted legislation did not impact the concession contracts.

We are no longer required to be the exclusive operator of the pre-salt areas, but prior to any bid round, the Brazilian federal government must offer us, the right to express our interest to exercise the preemption right to operate the blocks under production-sharing regime with minimum 30% of participating interest. Should there be no proposal for the areas to which we have expressed such interest that area will not be awarded and therefore, we have no remaining obligations. The preemption right only becomes effective in (i) cases of winning proposals above the minimum profit oil, should we decide to be part of such consortium and have previously expressed interest and (ii) cases in which the winning proposal is in the minimum profit oil, then we are required to be the operator, with minimum 30% of participating interest, as applicable according to the relevant Governmental Resolution. Regardless of whether we exercise our preemption right, we will also be able to participate, at our discretion, in the bidding process to increase our interest in any of the pre-salt areas.

The winning bidder will be the company that offers to the Brazilian federal government the highest percentage of “profit oil,” which is the gross revenue of the production of a certain field after deduction of royalties and “cost oil,” which is the cost associated with oil production. The royalty rate is 15% applicable to the gross production of oil and natural gas and there is no other government fee payable to the Brazilian federal government.

 

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The production-sharing contracts are executed by and between the private companies that are winning bidders, the state-owned non-operating company PPSA, which represents the interests of the Brazilian federal government in the production-sharing contracts and manages the Brazilian federal government’s share of the profit oil, and the ANP. The PPSA participates in operational committees, with a casting vote and veto powers and manages and controls the relevant costs, all of it according to each specific production-sharing contract.

Transfer of Rights (Cessão Onerosa)

In 2010, we entered into an agreement with the Brazilian federal government, under which the government assigned to us the right to conduct activities for the exploration and production of oil, natural gas and other fluid hydrocarbons in specified pre-salt areas, subject to a maximum production of five bnboe. The initial contract price for our rights under the Transfer of Rights Agreement was R$74,808 million, which was equivalent to US$18,560 as of December 31, 2019. See “Material Contracts” in this annual report.

Both Law No. 12,276/2010 (the “Transfer of Rights Law”) and the Transfer of Rights Agreement provide for a review procedure. The main purpose of the review procedure is to verify whether the price paid to the Brazilian federal government by us in 2010 was appropriate in relation to the price for granting us the rights to explore and produce five billion barrels of oil equivalent in certain pre-salt areas.

According to the Transfer of Rights Agreement, the review must be based on technical reports prepared by independent certifying entities to be contracted by the ANP and the assignee, which shall consider the best practices of the oil industry, including the following items: (a) information contained in the final report of the mandatory exploration program (as such term is defined in the Transfer of Rights Agreement); (b) the market prices of oil and natural gas; and (c) specification of the product being produced. In addition, as provided in the Transfer of Rights Agreement, the review must follow the assumptions set forth in such agreement.

An internal committee to negotiate the revision of the Transfer of Rights Agreement with representatives of the Brazilian federal government (i.e. representatives of the MME, the Ministry of Finance, and the ANP) was created. The negotiations resulted in a revision of the Transfer of Rights Agreement that was submitted to the TCU for analysis, by recommendation of the MME.

In 2019, the amendment to the Transfer of Rights Agreement was approved by us, the TCU and the National Council for Energy Policy.

The amendment consolidates one of several scenarios discussed among the Brazilian federal government and our comissions, and resulted in a credit of US$9,058 billion in our favor, that was fully paid in December 2019. Additionaly, the amendment establishes new percentages for local content: 25% for well construction; 40% for production collection and disposal system; and 25% for stationary production unit. For information related to the new taxation model for the oil and gas industry (“REPETRO”) see “Legal and Tax – Tax” in this annual report.

Refining, Transportation and Marketing

Regarding oil refining, the ANP requires specific authorization for the construction and operation of each of the process units, product treatment units and ancillary units of an oil refinery. The byproducts commercialization is subject to compliance with the specifications established by the ANP for each product (e.g. gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, liquefied petroleum gas).

The ANP requires information on import, export, production, processing, handling, transportation and transfer, storage and distribution of oil, oil products, natural gas products and shale products activities on a monthly basis.

Since 2013, the ANP requires oil product producers (refineries and other agents) and fuel distributors to ensure minimum inventories of gasoline and diesel. In 2015, the ANP established the same obligation for producers of LPG and jet fuel.

The ANP also requires that refineries and importers of oil byproducts publicly release their price lists electronically (standard prices) as well as the prices for the previous 12 months, with a description of the specific commercial terms for: (i) regular and premium gasoline; (ii) diesel oil and marine diesel; (iii) jet fuel; (iv) LPG; (v) fuel oil; and (vi) asphalt.

Failure to comply with the ANP rules can lead to a range of fines and penalties, including the revocation of the authorization.

 

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In December 2016, the Brazilian federal government launched the “RenovaBio” program to stimulate the production of biofuels in the local market, namely ethanol, biodiesel, biogas and biojet fuel. In June 2019, the CNPE fixed the mandatory annual reduction of carbon emission targets and the ANP established (i) the individualization of the annual mandatory greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for the commercialization of fuels (Resolution No. 791/2019) and (ii) the procedures for the primary emission of carbon emission reduction credits (Resolution No. 802/2019).

In June 2017, the CNPE established strategic guidelines for the development of the local market for fuels, other oil byproducts and biofuels. As part of the guidelines, the MME launched the “Abastece Brasil” program on April 24, 2019, which aims to develop Brazil’s local fuel market, promote competition in the sector, diversification of players, new investments in refining and logistics, and combating tax evasion and adulteration of fuels.

Our oil and natural gas refining area is also subject to the preventive and stringent control of CADE.

In June 2019, we signed a commitment with CADE (termo de cessação de conduta) which consolidates the understanding between the parties on the execution of divestment of refining assets in Brazil. The purpose of the agreement is to provide competitive conditions, encouraging new economic agents to enter the downstream market, as well as suspending the administrative investigation opened by CADE court to investigate alleged abuse of our dominant position in the refining segment. The agreement considers the divestment of approximately 50% of our refining capacity.

For more information on our agreement with CADE, see “Portfolio Management” and “Risks – Risk Factors – Emerging Risks” in this annual report.

Gas and Power

Natural Gas Law of 2009

In March 2009, the Brazilian Congress enacted Law No. 11,909, or “Gas Law”, regulating activities in the gas industry, including transport, processing, storage, liquefaction, regasification and commercialization. The Gas Law created a concession regime for the construction and operation of new pipelines to transport natural gas of general interest, while maintaining an authorization regime for pipelines subject to international agreements. According to the Gas Law, after a certain exclusivity period, operators will be required to grant access to transport pipelines and maritime terminals, except for LNG terminals, to third parties in order to maximize utilization of capacity.

The Gas Law authorized the ANP to regulate prices for the use of gas transport pipelines subject to the new concession regime and to approve prices submitted by carriers, according to previously established criteria, for the use of new gas transport pipelines subject to the authorization regime.

Authorizations previously issued by the ANP for natural gas transport will remain valid for 30 years from the date of publication of the Gas Law, and initial carriers were granted exclusivity in these pipelines for 10 years. All pipelines currently operated in Brazil are subject to an authorization regime. The ANP will issue regulations governing third-party access and carrier compensation if no agreement is reached between the parties.

The Gas Law also authorized certain consumers, who can purchase natural gas on the open market or obtain their own supplies of natural gas, to construct facilities and pipelines for their own use in the event local gas distributors controlled by the states, which have monopoly over local gas distribution, do not meet their distribution needs. These consumers are required to delegate the operation and maintenance of the facilities and pipelines to local gas distributors, but they are not required to sign gas supply agreements with the local gas distributors.

In December 2010, Decree No. 7,382 was enacted in order to regulate Chapters I to VI and VIII of the Gas Law as it relates to activities in the gas industry, including transportation and commercialization. Since the publication of this decree, a number of administrative regulations were enacted by the ANP and the MME in order to regulate various issues related to the Gas Law and Decree No. 7,382 that needed to be further clarified. Among those is ANP Resolution No. 51/2013, which prevents a carrier from holding any relevant equity interest in companies holding concessions for gas transport pipelines. Resolution No. 51/2013 applies only to the concessions granted after its publication, not affecting, therefore, the transportation of our natural gas production through pipelines operated by TBG and subject to the previous authorization regime.

 

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Another important resolution is ANP Resolution No. 52/2011, which (i) establishes that ANP is responsible for authorizing the activity of commercialization of natural gas, within the competence of the Brazilian federal government; (ii) regulates the registration of the gas seller agent; and (iii) regulates the registration of gas sales and purchase agreements. This resolution was modified in July 2019 by Resolution No. 794/2019, which requires the publication, by the ANP, of all natural gas sales and purchase agreements signed with local gas distributors to attend captive markets.

In June 2016, the MME created the program Gas to Grow, or Gás para Crescer, which aims to promote a competitive market environment to achieve the effective development of gas trading in Brazil, enabling the entry of new agents into the gas market.

In December 2018, Decree No. 9,616 amended Decree No. 7,382/2010 to allow the change of gas transmission system from capacity hired under the point-to-point system on long-term contracts to an entry-exit system. More recently, in June 2019, the CNPE established guidelines for promoting competition in the natural gas market, and in July 2019, the New Gas Market program, or Novo Mercado de Gás, was created and Decree No. 9,934 was signed. This decree establishes a committee that monitors the implementation of the actions required for the entry of new agents into the natural gas market.

Also, in July 2019, we signed an agreement with CADE (termo de compromisso de cessação), which consolidates understandings between the parties on the promotion of competition in the natural gas industry in Brazil. This agreement includes the sale of shareholdings in gas transportation and distribution companies and, among other matters, establishes measures to release capacity in gas transportation pipelines and includes our commitment to negotiate, in good faith, third party access to our processing plants. The purpose of the agreement is to preserve and protect the competitive conditions, aiming to open the Brazilian natural gas market, encouraging new agents to enter this market, as well as suspending administrative procedures established by CADE to investigate our natural gas business.

There is also a pending bill that intents to modify the Gas Law (Bill No. 6,407/2013), which includes proposals that have been discussed in the context of the Gas to Grow and New Gas Market programs. If the bill is approved, it will result in important changes in the natural gas market, including the exploitation regime of natural gas transport activities.

For more information on our agreement with CADE, see “Portfolio Management” and “Risks – Risk Factors – Emerging Risks” in this annual report.

Price Regulation

Until 1997, the Brazilian federal government had the power to regulate all aspects of the pricing of crude oil, oil products, ethanol, natural gas, electric power and other energy sources. In 2002, the Brazilian federal government eliminated price controls for crude oil and oil products, although it retained regulation over certain existing natural gas sales agreements and electricity agreements (specifically the electric power trade contracts in the regulated market – CCEAR).

For information on our price policy, see “Our Business – Refining, Transportation and Marketing” in this annual report.

Environmental Regulation

All phases of the crude oil and natural gas business present environmental risks and hazards. Our facilities in Brazil are subject to a wide range of federal, state and local laws, regulations and permit requirements relating to the protection of human health and the environment, and they fall under the regulatory authority of CONAMA.

Our offshore activities are subject to the administrative authority of IBAMA, which issues operating and drilling licenses. We are required to submit reports, including safety and pollution monitoring reports to IBAMA in order to maintain our licenses. This way, we maintain an ongoing communication channel with the environmental bodies, in order to improve issues connected with the environmental management of our exploration, production and refining processes of oil and natural gas. In 2018, we designed actions and measures, together with IBAMA, to adjust the disposal of water produced in some of our offshore platforms in order to accommodate recently issued requirements by IBAMA. All of these actions are being met by us within the schedules defined with IBAMA.

In addition, in order to help ensuring the safety of navigation, the Brazilian maritime authority also works towards the prevention of environmental pollution, with random or periodic surveys of offshore units.

 

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Most of the onshore environmental, health and safety conditions are controlled either at the federal or the state level depending on where our facilities are located and the type of activity under development. However, it is also possible for these conditions to be controlled on a local basis whenever the activities generate a local impact or are established in a county conservation unit. Under Brazilian law, there is strict and joint liability for environmental damage, mechanisms for enforcement of environmental standards and licensing requirements for polluting activities.

Individuals or entities whose conduct or activities cause harm to the environment are subject to criminal, civil and administrative sanctions. Government environmental protection agencies may also impose administrative sanctions for noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations, including:

 

 

fines;

 

 

partial or total suspension of activities;

 

 

requirements to fund reclamation and environmental projects;

 

 

forfeiture or restriction of tax incentives or benefits;

 

 

closing of establishments or operations; and

 

 

forfeiture or suspension of participation in credit lines with official credit establishments.

For more information see, Notes 12 and 31 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Government Regulation

As a federal state-owned company, we are subject to certain rules that limit our investments, and we are required to submit our annual capital expenditures budget (Orçamento Anual de Investimentos, or OAI) to the ME and the MME.

Following the review by these governmental authorities, the Brazilian Congress must approve our budget. Thus, there may be a reduction or change in our planned investments. As a result, we may not be able to implement all of our planned investments, including those related to the expansion and development of our oil and natural gas fields, which may adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition.

All medium and long-term debt incurred by us or our subsidiaries requires the approval of our Board of Executive Officers, within the parameters established by our Board of Directors, except for the issuance of debentures, which requires the approval of our Board of Directors.

In addition, Law No. 13,303/16 requires us to define in our Bylaws the public interest we pursue and which publicly-oriented actions we are allowed to take in the pursuit of such public interest. In order to comply with Law No. 13,303/16, we amended our Bylaws to include the definition of public interest and to state that the Brazilian federal government may orient our activities to pursue the public interest under certain circumstances, which distinguishes us from any other private company operating in the oil and gas market.

More specifically, the Brazilian federal government may guide us to take publicly-oriented obligations or responsibilities, including executing investment projects and undertaking certain operating costs, when two conditions are met: (i) the undertaking of obligations or responsibilities must be defined by law or regulation and provided for in a contract or agreement entered into with any public entity with powers to negotiate such contract or agreement; and (ii) the investment projects must have their cost and revenues broken down and disclosed in a transparent manner.

Our financial committee and our minority committee, exercising their advisory role to our Board of Directors, are in charge of evaluating whether the obligations and responsibilities undertaken by us, in connection with the pursuit of the public interest, are different from those of any other private company operating in the oil and gas market. The evaluation by our committees is based on certain technical and economic aspects of the planned investment projects and on the analysis of certain operating costs previously adopted by our management.

 

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Material Contracts

Production-Sharing Agreements

(Contratos de Partilha de Produção)

First Production Sharing Agreement – 1st Production Sharing Bidding Round

In 2013, a consortium formed by us (with a 40% interest), Shell (with a 20% interest), Total S.A (with a 20% interest), CNODC Brasil Petróleo e Gás Ltda. (with a 10% interest) and CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda. (with a 10% interest) (the “Libra Consortium”), entered into a production sharing agreement with the Brazilian federal government, which holds 41.65% of the Libra Consortium’s profit oil, the ANP, as regulator and supervisor, and PPSA, as manager (the “First Production Sharing Agreement”). Under the First Production Sharing Agreement, the Libra Consortium was awarded the rights and obligations to operate and explore a strategic pre-salt area known as Libra block, located in the ultra-deepwaters of the Santos Basin. For further information on the Production Sharing Agreement, see Exhibit 2.27 to this annual report.

Second and Third Production Sharing Agreements – 2nd and 3rd Production Sharing Bidding Rounds

In 2017, we acquired, in partnership with other international oil companies, three offshore blocks in the 2nd and 3rd bidding rounds under the production sharing system held by the ANP. We are the operator of these blocks (“Second and Third Production Sharing Agreements”). In January 2018, together with our partners, the ANP, PPSA and the Brazilian federal government, we signed the Second and Third Production Sharing Agreements for exploration and production of oil and natural gas.

Under the production sharing system, the consortium submits to the government a percentage of the so-called “surplus in oil profit for the Brazilian federal government,” which is applied to revenue discounted of the production costs and royalties. The only criteria adopted by the ANP to define the winning bidder was the amount of profit oil to the Brazilian federal government, since the bidding rules provided for the fixed value of the signing bonus, the minimum exploratory program and the local content commitments.

The following table summarizes the blocks we acquired, in partnership, in the 2nd and 3rd bidding rounds as part of the production sharing system:

 

Area

  

Consortium composition

   Petrobras Bonus
(R$ million)
   Surplus
in profit oil (%)

Entorno de Sapinhoá

  

Petrobras (45%)

Shell (30%)

Repsol Sinopec (25%)

       90        80.00

Peroba

  

Petrobras (40%)

BP (40%)

CNODC (20%)

       800        76.96

Alto de Cabo Frio Central

  

Petrobras (50%)

BP (50%)

       250        75.86

Fourth and Fifth Production Sharing Agreements – 4th and 5th Production Sharing Bidding Rounds

On June, 7, 2018, we acquired, together with other international companies, three offshore blocks: (i) Dois Irmãos, (ii) Três Marias and (iii) Uirapuru (“Fourth Production Sharing Agreements”) and, together with the First Production Sharing Agreement, and the Second and Third Production Sharing Agreements, the “Production Sharing Agreements”). We will be the operator of these three blocks under the production sharing regime. According to the regime, the consortium submits to the Brazilian federal government a percentage of the “surplus in oil profit for the Brazilian federal government.” Again, the only criteria adopted by the ANP to define the winning bidder was the amount of oil profit to the Brazilian federal government.

The bidding rules established the fixed value of the signing bonus, the minimum exploratory program, and the local content commitments.

On September 28, 2018, we acquired the block Sudoeste de Tartaruga Verde under the production sharing regime and, as a result, we will be the operator of the corresponding agreement.

 

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Sixth and Transfer of Rights Surplus Production Sharing Agreements – 6th and ToR Surplus Production Sharing Bidding Rounds

On November 6, 2019, we acquired, together with other international companies, the Buzios block, and with 100% of participation, the Itapu block.

On November 7, 2019, we acquired, together with other international company, the Aram block, and we will be the operator of such block.

We will be the operator of these blocks under the production-sharing regime. According to the relevant production-sharing contracts, the appointed operator, on behalf of the parties, offers to the Brazilian federal government a percentage of the “surplus in oil profit for the Brazilian federal government.” The only criteria adopted by the ANP to define the winning bidder was the amount of oil profit to the Brazilian federal government too, since the bidding rules provided for the fixed value of the signing bonus, the minimum exploratory program and the local content commitments.

Basic Terms:

Operating Committee. The PSA Consortia are managed by an operating committee in which we, our partners and PPSA all participate. PPSA represents the interests of the Brazilian federal government and although it will not invest in the blocks, PPSA holds 50% of the operating committee voting rights and also has a casting vote and veto powers, as defined in the Production Sharing Agreements.

Risks, Costs and Compensation. All exploration, development and production activities under the Production Sharing Agreements will be conducted at the expense and risk of the members of the consortium. For commercial discoveries of crude oil and/or natural gas in the blocks, the consortium will be entitled to recover, on a monthly basis, (i) a portion of the production of oil and gas in the block corresponding to its royalty expenses and (ii) the “cost oil” corresponding to costs incurred (which is the amount associated with capital expenditures incurred and operating costs of the consortium’s exploration and production activities), subject to the conditions, proportions and terms set forth on the Production Sharing Agreements. In addition, for each commercial discovery, the consortia are entitled to receive, on a monthly basis, their share of “profit oil” as defined under the Production Sharing Agreements.

Duration:

The term of the Production Sharing Agreements is 35 years.

Phases:

Our activities under the Production Sharing Agreements are divided into two phases, as follows:

(i) Exploration phase. This phase comprises appraisal activities for purposes of determining the commerciality of any discoveries of crude oil and natural gas. The exploration phase began upon the execution of the Production Sharing Agreements and will end for each discovery upon the declaration of commerciality. We will have four years (which may be extended upon ANP’s prior approval) to comply with the minimum work program and other ANP-approved activities provided for in the Production Sharing Agreements.

(ii) Production Phase. The production phase for each particular discovery begins as of the date of the declaration of commerciality by the consortia to the ANP, and lasts until the termination of the Production Sharing Agreements. It comprises a development period, during which we will carry out activities pursuant to a development plan approved by the ANP.

Minimum Work Program:

During the exploration phase, we are required to undertake a minimum work program, as specified in the Production Sharing Agreements. We may perform other activities outside the scope of the minimum work program, provided that such activities are approved by the ANP.

 

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Unitization:

A reservoir covered by a block granted to us in the Production Sharing Agreements may extend to adjacent areas outside the block. In such case, we must notify the ANP immediately after identifying the extension and we will be prevented from performing development and production activities within such block, until we have negotiated unitization agreement with the third-party concessionaire or contractor who has rights over such adjacent area, unless otherwise authorized by the ANP. The ANP will determine the deadline for the execution of unitization agreement by the parties. If the adjacent area is not licensed (i.e., not granted for E&P activities to any other party), the Brazilian federal government, represented by PPSA or by the ANP, shall negotiate with us.

If the parties are unable to reach an agreement within a deadline established by the ANP, the ANP will determine the terms and obligations related to such unitization, on the basis of an expert report, and will also notify us and the third-party or the Brazilian federal government representative, as applicable, of such determination. Until the unitization agreement is approved by the ANP, operations for the development and production of such reservoir must remain suspended, unless otherwise authorized by the ANP. The refusal of any party to execute the unitization agreement will result in the termination of the Production Sharing Agreements and the return to the Brazilian federal government of the area subject to the unitization process.

Environmental:

We are required to preserve the environment and protect the ecosystem in the area subject to the Production Sharing Agreements and to avoid harming local fauna, flora and natural resources. We will be liable for damages to the environment resulting from our operations, including costs related to any remediation measures.

Brazilian Content:

The Production Sharing Agreements specify certain equipment, goods and services, as well as different levels of required local content, in accordance with the different phases under the Production Sharing Agreements. If we fail to comply with the Brazilian content obligations, we may be subject to fines imposed by the ANP.

The original Libra’s Production Sharing Agreement (“Production Sharing Bidding Round 1”) gave the Libra’s consortium the right to waive the local content obligations in terms of technology, price and schedule. This right was used once, and the ANP conceded waiver to the hull items and certain items of the process plants. By Resolution No 726/2018, the ANP gave Libra consortium the possibility of changing the local content requirements to lower levels, but the possibility of waiver was excluded.

On the Production Sharing Bidding Round 2, the fields bid on had the same local content requirements of their adjacent fields contracts, according to the CNPE Resolution No 7/2017. Such resolution established new local content levels for the Production Sharing Agreements, and the Bidding Rounds 3, 4, 5 and 6 used those levels.

Royalties and Expenses with Research and Development:

Once we begin production in each field, members of the consortia (other than PPSA) will be required to pay monthly royalties of 15% of the oil and natural gas production, to be recovered from a portion of the production of oil and gas in the block. All members of the consortia (other than PPSA) will also be required to invest 1.0% of their annual gross revenues from crude oil and natural gas production under the Production Sharing Agreements in research and development activities related to the oil, gas and biofuel sectors.

Miscellaneous Provisions:

Under the Brazilian production-sharing regime, we can assign our rights and obligations inherent to our participation above 30% in the areas in which we exercised our preemptive right to be the operator.

All members of the consortia (other than PPSA) have a right of first refusal with respect to an eventual assignment of rights and obligations to be made by any other member of the consortium (other than PPSA).

The Production Sharing Agreements shall be terminated in the following circumstances: (i) the expiration of their terms; (ii) if the minimum work program has not been completed by the end of the exploration phase; (iii) if there has not been any commercial discovery by the end of the exploration phase; (iv) if the consortium members (other than PPSA) exercise their withdrawal rights during the exploration phase; (v) if the consortium refuses to execute a production individualization agreement after the ANP makes such determination (which termination may be complete or partial) and (vi) any other basis described in the Production Sharing Agreements.

 

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Any breach of the Production Sharing Agreements or of any regulations issued by the ANP may result in sanctions and fines imposed by the ANP on the relevant party, in accordance with applicable legislation and the terms of the Production Sharing Agreements. If any breach of the Production Sharing Agreements is considered by the Brazilian federal government not to be significant, intentional, or a result of negligence, imprudence or recklessness, or it is proved that the consortium has worked diligently to cure such breach, the Brazilian federal government may, instead of terminating the Production Sharing Agreements, propose that the ANP apply designated sanctions on the relevant parties.

We and other consortium members will use our best efforts to settle any disputes. If we are unable to do so, any consortium member may submit such dispute or controversy to an ad hoc arbitration following the rules established by the UNCITRAL, or by the consent of the parties in interest, to the ICC, or any other well-regarded arbitration chamber. If a dispute involves only public administration entities, it may be submitted to conciliation service of the Câmara de Conciliação e Arbitragem da Administração Federal, or CCAF, under the AGU. In the event of a dispute involving non-negotiable rights, the parties shall submit the dispute to the federal courts in Brasília, Brazil.

The Production Sharing Agreements are governed by Brazilian law.

Amendment to Transfer of Rights Agreement

The Transfer of Rights Agreement was executed in 2010. Its amendment was approved in 2019 by the TCU and the CNPE and our governing bodies.

The parties involved discussed several scenarios about the revision of the original agreement, as both of them could be simultaneously creditor and/or debtor. The amendment consolidates one such scenario, resulting in a credit of US$9,058 billion in our favor, which was fully paid in December 2019.

In addition to such credit, the main changes as a result of the amendment to the Transfer of Rights Agreement were (i) the local content clauses that lowered the local content requirements for the production phase (development and production stages) and (ii) the conflict resolution rules that became similar to the rules of the Production Sharing Agreements of the latest ANP bid rounds.

For more information concerning our other material contracts, see “Our Business” and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in this annual report.

Legal Proceedings

We are currently party to numerous legal proceedings relating to civil, administrative, tax, labor, criminal, environmental and corporate issues arising in the normal course of our business. These proceedings involve claims for substantial amounts of money and other remedies. Several individual disputes account for a significant part of the total amount of claims against us. Our audited consolidated financial statements only include provisions for probable and reasonably estimable losses and expenses we may incur in connection with pending proceedings.

Some of our main legal proceedings are listed below.

Lava Jato Investigation

In 2009, the Brazilian federal police began an investigation aimed at criminal organizations engaged in money laundering in several Brazilian states, known as “Car wash” operation (“Lava Jato”). The Lava Jato investigation is extremely broad and comprises numerous investigations into several criminal practices, spanning crimes and conduct committed by individuals in different parts of the country and different sectors of the Brazilian economy. In 2014, the Lava Jato started to focus part of its investigation on irregularities involving our contractors and suppliers, and uncovered a broad payment scheme that involved a wide range of participants, including our former personnel. It is possible that further information damaging to us and our interests will come to light in the course of the ongoing investigations of corruption by Brazilian authorities.

 

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We are not a target of the Lava Jato investigation and we are formally recognized, by the Brazilian authorities, as a victim of the improper payments scheme. We will continue to pursue legal measures against companies and individuals, including former employees and politicians, who have caused financial and image damages to us. We have been working together with the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, the Brazilian federal police, the Federal Revenue Services and other competent authorities since the beginning of the investigation. The total amount of restitution paid to us since the beginning of the Lava Jato through December 31, 2019 was US$1,132 million (US$220 million in 2019, US$457 million in 2018, US$252 million in 2017, US$131 million in 2016 and US$72 million in 2015).

For further information regarding the Lava Jato and its impacts on us, see Note 21 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Investigations Carried out by Authorities

U.S.: SEC, DoJ and the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”)

Because our ADRs are traded on the NYSE, we are subject to the SEC and DoJ regulations. In 2014, SEC and DoJ initiated investigations in connection with the facts disclosed in connection with the Lava Jato. We have fully cooperated with their investigations.

In September 2018, we entered into agreements with the SEC and the DoJ related to our internal controls, accounting records and financial statements for the period 2003 to 2012, which fully resolved their respective investigations. Under the terms of these agreements, we paid US$85.3 million to the DoJ, US$85.3 million to the SEC and US$682.6 million to Brazilian authorities. In addition, we also entered into an agreement with the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, the Commitments’ Assumption Agreement, in order to regulate how the amount would be used in Brazil. The amount of US$682.6 million was deposited by us in Brazil, in January 2019.

In our agreements with them, the DoJ and SEC recognize improvements to our compliance program, internal controls and anti-corruption procedures. We have committed to continue evaluating and improving these and other efforts. The resolution of the SEC and DoJ investigations meets our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders, and eliminates uncertainties, risks, burdens and costs of potential litigations in the United States.

In May 2019, the CFTC contacted us with an inquiry regarding trading activities related to the Lava Jato. We reiterate that we will continue to cooperate with regulatory authorities, including the CFTC, regarding any inquiry, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and transparency.

In September 2019, the Commitment Assumption Agreement was abrogated by the Brazilian federal Supreme Court (“STF”). The new allocation of the amount paid by us is described in the “Allocation Agreement” between the Brazilian Attorney General’s Office and the Presidency of the Chamber of Deputies, with the intervention of the Presidency of the Federal Senate and the Attorney General of the National Treasury, which was approved by the STF and which negotiation was not attended by us.

Brazil: Prosecutor’s Office

In 2015, the state of São Paulo Prosecutor’s Office established a civil proceeding to investigate the existence of potential damages caused by us to investors listed in the Brazilian stock market. However, the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor’s Office assessed this civil proceeding and determined that the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office has no authority over this matter, which must be presided over by the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor’s Office. We have provided all relevant information required by the authorities.

 

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Petrobras’ Investor Claims

USA: Class Action

At the end of 2017, we signed an agreement to settle the consolidated securities class action that had been filed against us and certain other defendants in connection with facts relating to Lava Jato. Under this settlement, we (together with our subsidiary PGF) agreed to pay US$2,950 million to resolve the claims in three installments of US$983 million, in March, 2018, US$983 million, in June, 2018, and a further installment of US$984 million, in January 2019. Accordingly, we charged US$3,449 million to our statement of income for the last quarter of 2017 as other income and expenses, taking into account the gross up of tax related to our portion of the settlement.

Certain objectors appealed the District Court’s June 22, 2018 decision to approve the class action settlement.

On August 30, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed that decision. As of September 6, 2019, the settlement is no longer appealable and is therefore final.

On September 24, 2019, the District Court authorized the distribution of the settlement funds to investors who presented eligible claims to the court-approved claims administrator.

The settlement of this class action does not constitute an admission of guilt or of improper practices by Petrobras, which has been recognized by the Brazilian authorities as a victim of the events revealed through the Lava Jato investigation.

Netherlands: Collective action in the Netherlands

In 2017, the Stitching Petrobras Compensation Foundation (“Foundation”) filed a collective action before the district court in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, against us and our subsidiaries PIBBV and PGF, joint venture PO&G and some of our former officers.

In the collective claim the Foundation allegedly represents the interests of an unidentified group of investors and alleges that as a result of the facts uncovered by the Lava Jato, the defendants acted unlawfully toward investors.

In January 2020, the court considered that shareholders who understand Portuguese and/or who bought shares through intermediaries or other agents that understand such language, among others, are bound by the arbitration clause of our Bylaws, and cannot be party to the collective action filed by the Foundation. The court also considered the binding effect of the US class settlement. In light of this, the Foundation must establish that it represents a sufficient group of investors to justify the continuance of a collective claim in the Netherlands.

The Foundation only seeks declaratory reliefs from the Dutch court, and is not able to demand compensation for damages. Compensation for the alleged damages will only be determined by court rulings if subsequent complaints are filed by individual investors.

At this current stage, due to substantial uncertainties inherent to this kind of proceedings and the highly uncertain impacts of such allegations, it is not possible for us to identify possible risks related to this action and to produce a reliable estimate of eventual loss.

Moreover, currently, it is not possible to determine if investors will be able to file subsequent individual complaints against us and if we will be found responsible for the payment of compensation, as this assessment depends on the outcome of this action.

We, along with our subsidiaries, deny the allegations presented by the Foundation and intend to defend ourselves vigorously. We are a victim of the corruption scheme uncovered by the Lava Jato and aim to present and prove this before the Dutch court.

 

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Other Related Investor Claims

Arbitration in Brazil

We are also currently a party to five arbitration proceedings brought by Brazilian and foreign investors that purchased our shares traded on the B3, alleging financial losses caused by facts uncovered in the Lava Jato.

Due to substantial uncertainties inherent to these kinds of proceedings and the highly uncertain impacts of such allegations, it is not possible for us to identify possible risks related to this action and to produce a reliable estimate of eventual loss.

Depending on the outcome of these claims, we may have to pay substantial amounts, which may have a significant effect on our financial condition.

On September 17, 2019, the Commitment Assumption Agreement was abrogated by the STF. Thus, we no longer have the ability to use half of the amount paid on January 30, 2019 (US$682.6 million) to the Brazilian authorities in the event of any convictions in these arbitrations, as provided for in the agreement.

The new allocation of the amount paid is described in the “Allocation Agreement” between the Brazilian Attorney General’s Office and the Presidency of the Chamber of Deputies, with the intervention of the Presidency of the Federal Senate and the Attorney General of the National Treasury, which was approved by the STF and whose negotiation was not attended by Petrobras.

We deny the allegations presented by these investors and intend to defend these claims vigorously.

Arbitration in Argentina

In 2018, we were served with an arbitral claim filed by Consumidores Financieros Asociación Civil para su Defensa (the “Association”) against us and other individuals and legal entities, before the “Tribunal de Arbitraje General de la Bolsa de Comercio de Buenos Aires” (“Arbitral Tribunal”).

Among other issues, the Association alleged our liability for a supposed loss of market value of our shares in Argentina, due to proceedings related to the Lava Jato.

In June 2019, the Arbitral Tribunal decided that the arbitral claim should be considered withdrawn due to the lack of payment of the arbitral fee by the Association. The Association has filed appeals that were rejected by the court of appeals on November 20, 2019. The Association has appealed to the Argentinian Supreme Court, and a final decision is still pending.

Criminal Actions in Argentina

We were accused of these two criminal actions in Argentina, as described below:

(i) Criminal action alleging non-compliance by us with the obligation to publish as “relevant fact” to the Argentinian market the existence of a class action claim filed by Consumidores Financieros Asociación Civil para su Defensa before the Judicial Commercial Courts (Judicial Commercial Claim), pursuant to provisions of Argentine capital market law. It is worth mentioning that the Judicial Commercial Claim had never been served to us. This criminal court docket is being handled by Criminal Economic Court No. 3 of the city of Buenos Aires. We filed procedural defenses before the criminal court that have not been decided yet.

(ii) Criminal action alleging fraudulent offer of securities aggravated by allegedly having stated false data in our financial statements issued in 2015. This criminal court docket is being handled by Criminal Economic Court No. 2 of the city of Buenos Aires. We filed procedural defenses before the criminal court that have not been decided yet.

Sete Brasil’s Investor Claim and Mediation Procedure

We are currently a party to arbitrations in Brazil and a lawsuit in the District Court of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. filed by investors of Sete Brasil, a Project Finance created in order to build rigs with high local content. In these proceedings, the plaintiffs allege that we induced investors to invest in Sete Brasil and that we were among the parties responsible for the financial crisis of Sete Brasil, company which filed judicial recovery proceedings (“recuperação judicial”), in Brazil. The arbitrations are in different stages and all of them are confidential. Nonetheless, we still defend that we should not be held responsible. In 2019, we provisioned US$740 million as expected losses to comply with accounting standards.

 

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In 2016, EIG filed a complaint against us before the federal district court in the District of Columbia, where the court denied our motion to dismiss on various grounds including sovereign immunity and ruled that the claims could proceed to discovery, which is the exchange of legal information and known facts of a case between the parties. We appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which affirmed the court’s decision. We presented a petition for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States that was denied. We subsequently moved the District Court to stay the case pending arbitration, which was denied. We have appealed that decision and that appeal was denied.

In addition, as result of an extrajudicial mediation initiated in 2017 in Brazil to reach a possible solution, our Board of Directors approved the final terms of the agreement to be executed between us and Sete Brasil. The key terms of the settlement are stated in the press release disclosed on March 1, 2018: (i) maintenance of charter and operation contracts referring to four drilling rigs, with termination of signed contracts in relation to the other twenty-four drilling rigs; (ii) the contracts shall have effect for ten years, with a daily rate of US$299 thousand, including the chartering and operation of the units; (iii) and our removal and the removal of our subsidiaries from the shareholding structure of the companies of Grupo Sete Brasil and FIP Sondas until we no longer hold any shares in such company; and (iv) the resulting dissolution of all other contracts that are not compatible with the terms of the agreement. Magni Partners shall charter the rigs to us and the rigs shall be operated by Etesco. The settlement is subject to suspensive condition and shall be approved by Sete Brasil and other companies involved in the deal.

Other information relating to the arbitration and mediation filed in Brazil is confidential.

Other Legal proceedings

Legal Proceedings and Preliminary Procedure on TCU – Divestments.

There are some judicial proceedings (mainly civil suits), which allege a supposed lack of publicity and competitiveness in our proceedings for the sale of participation shares in controlled companies and assets, such as exploration and production rights in Oil & Gas Fields (“Divestment Bids”). Some bids were suspended due to injunctions granted under preliminary analysis, which were reversed after we presented our statement of defense and/or appeals. Although the aforementioned court proceedings are still pending on the final awards, there is no injunction preventing any Divestment Bid.

There are constitutional actions filed before the Brazilian Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Decree No. 9,188/2017, which sets forth rules for divestment of assets and controlled affiliates by federal mixed-capital corporations, including us. Due to the preliminary injunction granted on June 27, 2018 by the Supreme Court’s Minister Ricardo Lewandowski (Direct Unconstitutionality Action – ADI 5624 MC/DF), which presumably could affect its Divestments, we have suspended some sales, according to the press release dated July 3, 2018. Such sales were resumed on January 17, 2019 under the legal grounds stated in a legal memorandum rendered by the Federal Attorney’s Office, according to the press release dated January 17, 2019. On June 6, 2019, the court partially revised the injunction to the extent that state companies are allowed to sell their corporate control in affiliates’ companies provided that such state companies were granted a general authorization to do so by the their law of incorporation and that the sale process is competitive and executed in accordance with the constitutional principles applicable to the public administration, pursuant to Federal Decree No. 9,188/2017. Hence, we may seek the divestment of assets and controlled affiliates, without any constraint.

Also, there is a Direct Unconstitutionality Action against Federal Decree No. 9,355/18 (“Federal Decree”) that aims at the immediate suspension of the effects of Federal Decree and a declaration of unconstitutionality for allegedly disregarding the provisions of articles 28 to 84 of Law No. 13,303/16 and the principles of legality, morality, impersonality and efficiency.

On December 19, 2018, a preliminary injunction was granted to suspend the effectiveness of the Federal Decree and order us to follow the rules of Law No. 13,303/16 in relation to the procedures for the assignment of exploration and production rights in Brazil (“Decision”). On January 11, 2019, the President of the Supreme Court granted a preliminary injunction to suspend the effects of the Decision until the judgment by the plenary of the court, which has not occurred yet.

With respect to TCU, all projects included in our divestment portfolio (excluding partnerships and acquisitions, subject to another set of rules) follow the methodology deemed appropriate by TCU under administrative procedure TC-013.056/2016 -6. Recently, our divestment process methodology was reviewed and forwarded to TCU under administrative procedure TC-009.508/2019 -8. The most up-to-date methodology took effect on August 20, 2019.

 

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Labor Proceedings

RMNR

There are a number of lawsuits relating to Minimum Compensation per Level and Working Regime (“RMNR”) with the purpose to review its calculating criteria.

The RMNR consists of a minimum compensation guaranteed to the workforce, based on the salary level, the work regime and condition and the geographic location. This compensation policy was created and implemented in 2007 as a result of collective bargaining with union representatives and approval in employee assemblies, and it was only challenged three years after its implementation. The matter at dispute is whether to include additional working arrangements and special working conditions as a complement to RMNR.

In 2018, the Brazilian Superior Labor Court (“TST”) ruled against us and we filed an appeal against its decision. The STF suspended the effects of the decision issued by the TST and called for the national suspension of the ongoing proceedings relating to RMNR.

Applicable rate

There are also discussions relating to the rate applicable to damages awarded by Brazilian labor courts, as well as its period of application. The STF has initially ruled that application of the official reference rate, or “Taxa Referencial,” is unconstitutional in relation to damages awarded against the Brazilian federal government. Following the STF decision, the TST ruled that the IPCA should apply (as opposed to the Taxa Referencial) since March 2015 and acknowledged payments already made. An appeal was brought against that decision and judgment is pending. Also, judgment is still pending by the STF on the application of Taxa Referencial to labor damages, as opposed to IPCA.

Although we are not a party to any of the lawsuits before the TST and the STF involving these discussions, such lawsuits may have an adverse effect on our provisions. There is no expected date for judgment by the STF and it is possible that the STF decides that its decision should apply only from a certain date onward. However, in the event that the STF decides that the applicable rate should change from Taxa Referencial to IPCA, this may have an adverse effect on our provisions, including RMNR.

Since November 2019, a new Temporary Order (medida provisória) 905/2019 approved the use of the IPCA-E and savings account rate to correct labor debts.

Temporary Orders are rules that serve as laws temporarily. Such orders are issued by the Brazilian President, but they need congressional referral to be enacted into law. If congress does not consider an issued temporary order within 120 days, the order is declared null and void.

Unification of Fields

We have filed four arbitrations under the ICC administration challenging the ANP’s decision to unify our unconnected oil fields (Parque das Baleias, Lula and Cernambi; Baúna and Piracaba; Tartaruga Verde and Tartaruga Mestiça). The Parque das Baleias arbitration is already concluded.

In the case of Tartaruga Mestiça and Tartaruga Verde arbitration, the federal court of Rio de Janeiro also upheld the competence-competence principle, in which the arbitral tribunal is entitled to rule on its own jurisdiction of the case. Thus, this arbitration was restarted.

In relation to the Baúna and Piracaba´s arbitration, a judicial injunction still keeps it suspended.

In addition, the BM-S-11 Consortium, formed with Shell and Petrogal, of which we are the operator, challenged the ANP’s decision on unifying Lula e Cernambi fields. The arbitration remains suspended due to a judicial injunction. Currently, the controversy is under review by the Brazilian superior court. The court will decide which court (the state court or arbitral tribunal) should decide the merits of the case.

 

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Drilling contract with Vantage

Furthermore, we were a party to an arbitration with Vantage Deepwater Company and Vantage Deepwater Drilling, Inc. (collectively, “Vantage”) administered by the International Centre for Dispute Resolution and related to a drilling contract we entered into with Vantage. In July 2018, a tribunal of three members concluded by majority, with one dissenting opinion, Vantage was entitled to receive US$622.02 million, plus interest of 15.2% per annum compounded monthly, as compensation for the early termination of said contract and invoices related to the drilling of a well in the Gulf of Mexico. We filed a motion to vacate the award before a Federal Court in Texas, arguing that we had been denied the fundamental safeguards of due process, as expressed by the dissenting arbitrator’s opinion. Vantage sought and obtained attachments from a Dutch court, which were served in 2018, blocking the shares of our Netherlands-based subsidiaries and any amounts and assets due to us, arising from obligations of our Netherlands-based subsidiaries to secure payment of the arbitral award. In May 2019, the Federal Court confirmed the arbitration award and denied our motion to vacate it. In June 2019, our subsidiaries paid approximately US$700 million related to such decision. The payment ceased interest accrual, allowed the lifting of the pre-judgment attachments of our Netherland-based subsidiaries and avoided other legal constraints, but did not end the dispute. We appealed the decision in June 2019 and will continue to take measures to defend our interests.

Environmental

The state of Rio de Janeiro Prosecutor’s Office filed five public civil actions against us, the State Environmental Institute (“INEA”) and the state of Rio de Janeiro (collectively, the “Defendants”), in 2018, requesting that the Defendants present proof of compliance with environmental licensing regulations related to COMPERJ, complement technical research, re-define certain conditions applicable to the environmental licensing process and compensate for collective damages to property, moral damages and damages to communities affected by any environmental impact related to COMPERJ. The amount claimed is US$2,096 billion. In August 2019, we signed an agreement (“termo de ajustamento de conduta”) in the amount of US$208 million with the state of Rio de Janeiro, the Prosecutor’s Office and INEA, to conclude one of the civil actions concerning the environmental licensing of COMPERJ. Regarding the four other civil actions, they have been partially settled and an agreement is being negotiated to conclude them. As to the remainder of pending judicial procedures, they are currently suspended.

Additionally, since 2000, we are party to another public civil action regarding the OSPAR pipeline, related to the obligation to compensate damages and alleged moral damages resulting from the environmental accident that occurred in the state of Paraná on July 16, 2000. We had a court decision condemning us and the amount of US$155 million was provisioned. Clarification appeals have been filed and we are currently considering further appeals.

For further information on our material legal proceedings, see Note 19 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

TAX

Tax Strategy and Effect of Taxes on Our Income

Our tax strategy outlines the compliance with tax laws of Brazil and other countries, where we operate as a corporation that influences the economic and social environment of which we are part. We also aim at engaging with tax authorities in an ethical and transparent manner. Considering that we are the biggest taxpayers in Brazil, our engagement with tax authorities may result in various effects on tax collection at the federal, state and municipal levels, as well as production taxes under the ANP.

We are subject to tax on our income at a Brazilian statutory corporate rate of 34%, comprising of a 25% rate of income tax and a social contribution tax at a 9% rate. Since 2015, we have been recognizing income tax expenses over non-exempt income generated by our foreign subsidiaries based on Brazilian statutory corporate rates as established by Law No. 12,973/2014.

In addition to taxes paid on behalf of consumers to the Brazilian federal government, as well as state and municipal governments, such as the value-added tax (Imposto sobre Circulação de Mercadorias e Serviços, or “ICMS”), we are required to pay three main charges on our oil production activities in Brazil under the scope of the ANP: (i) royalties, (ii) special participation and (iii) retention bonuses. See “Tax – Tax Strategy and Effect of Taxes on Our Income – Taxation under Concession Regime for Oil and Gas” and “Risks – Risk Factors – Government Ownership and Country Risks” in this annual report. These charges imposed by the Brazilian federal government are included in our cost of sales.

 

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Taxation under Concession Regime for Oil and Gas

According to Law No. 9,478/1997 and under our concession agreements for exploration and production activities with the ANP, we are required to pay the government the following:

 

 

Signing bonuses paid upon the execution of the concession agreement, which are based on the amount of the winning bid, subject to the minimum signing bonuses published in the relevant bidding guidelines (edital de licitação);

 

 

Annual retention bonuses for the occupation or retention of areas available for exploration and production, at a rate established by the ANP in the relevant bidding guidelines based on the size, location and geological characteristics of the concession block;

 

 

Special participation charges at a rate ranging from 0 to 40% of the net income derived from the production of fields that reach high production volumes or profitability, according to the criteria established in the applicable legislation. Net revenues are gross revenues, based on reference prices for crude oil or natural gas established by Decree No. 2,705 and ANP regulatory acts, less royalties paid, investments in exploration, operational costs and depreciation adjustments and applicable taxes. In 2019, we paid this government take on 16 of our fields, namely Albacora Leste, Barracuda, Baúna, Jubarte (which unified Baleia Azul and Baleia Franca fields), Leste do Urucu, Lula, Manati, Marlim, Marlim Leste, Marlim Sul, Mexilhão, Rio Urucu, Roncador, Sapinhoá and Tartaruga Verde; and

 

 

Royalties to be established in the concession contracts at a rate ranging between 5% and 10% of gross revenues from production, based on reference prices for crude oil or natural gas established in its regulatory acts. In establishing royalty rates in the concession contracts, the ANP also takes consideration the geological risks and expected productivity levels for each concession. Most of our crude oil production is currently paid at the maximum royalty rate.

Law No. 9,478/1997 also requires concessionaires of onshore fields to pay to the owner of the land a participation fee that varies between 0.5% and 1.0% of the sales revenues derived from the production of the field.

New Taxation Model for the Oil and Gas Industry

On December 28, 2017, the Brazilian federal government enacted Law No. 13,586, which outlined a new taxation model for the oil and gas industry and, along with the Decree No. 9,128/2017, established a new special regime for exploration, development and production of oil, gas and other liquid hydrocarbons named Repetro-Sped, which will expire in December 2040.

This regime provides for the continuation of total tax relief over goods imported with temporary permanence in Brazil, as previously established by the former Repetro (special customs regime for the export and import of goods designated to exploration and production of oil and natural gas reserves), and adds this relief to goods permanently held in Brazil. Accordingly, the absence of the need to return such goods to foreign countries eliminates future cost of removal. This benefit allowed for the migration of all the goods acquired in the former Repetro to the Repetro-Sped.

Since 2018, we have been transferring the ownership of oil and gas assets under this regime from our foreign subsidiaries to our parent company and the joint ventures (consortia) in Brazil and we expect to finish this process in 2020.

In addition, the legislation prescribes the Repetro-Industrialização, a special tax regime, regulated in 2019, which exempts acquisitions from the O&G supply chain established in Brazil.

Following the creation of Repetro-Sped and Repetro-Industrialização, some Brazilian states, pursuant to a decision by the Brazilian National Council of Finance Policies (CONFAZ), agreed to grant tax incentives relating to the value added tax (ICMS) over transactions under these regimes to the extent each state enacts its specific regulation providing for the tax relief on the oil and gas industry.

Taxation Relating to THE ADS and our Common and Preferred Shares

The following summary contains a description of material Brazilian and U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of preferred or common shares or ADSs by a holder. This summary does not describe any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, locality or taxing jurisdiction other than Brazil and the United States.

This summary is based upon the tax laws of Brazil and the United States as in effect on the date of this annual report, which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect). This summary is also based upon the representations of the depositary and on the assumption that the obligations in the deposit agreement and any related documents will be performed in accordance with their respective terms.

 

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This description is not a comprehensive description of the tax considerations that may be relevant to any particular investor, including tax considerations that arise from rules that are generally applicable to all taxpayers or to certain classes of investors or rules that investors are generally assumed to know. Prospective purchasers of common or preferred shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common or preferred shares or ADSs.

There is no income tax treaty between the United States and Brazil. In recent years, the tax authorities of Brazil and the United States have held discussions that may culminate in such a treaty. We cannot predict, however, whether or when a treaty will enter into force or how it will affect the U.S. holders of common or preferred shares or ADSs.

Brazilian Tax Considerations

General

The following discussion summarizes the material Brazilian tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of preferred or common shares or ADSs, as the case may be, by a holder that is not deemed to be domiciled in Brazil for purposes of Brazilian taxation, also called a non-Brazilian holder.

Under Brazilian law, investors (non-Brazilian holders) may invest in the preferred or common shares under CMN Resolution No. 4,373 or under Law No. 4,131/1962. The rules of CMN Resolution No. 4,373 allow foreign investors to invest in almost all instruments and to engage in almost all transactions available in the Brazilian financial and capital markets, provided that certain requirements are met. In accordance with CMN Resolution No. 4,373, the definition of foreign investor includes individuals, legal entities, mutual funds and other collective investment entities, domiciled or headquartered abroad.

Pursuant to this rule, foreign investors must: (i) appoint at least one representative in Brazil with powers to perform actions relating to their foreign investment (such as registration and keeping updated records of all transactions with the Central Bank of Brazil); (ii) complete the appropriate foreign investor registration form; (iii) register as a foreign investor with the CVM; and (iv) register the foreign investment with the Central Bank of Brazil.

Securities and other financial assets held by foreign investors pursuant to CMN Resolution No. 4,373 must be registered or maintained in deposit accounts or under the custody of an entity duly licensed by the CVM. In addition, securities trading is restricted to transactions carried out in the stock exchanges or organized over-the-counter markets authorized by the CVM.

Taxation of Dividends

Generally speaking, dividends paid by us, including stock dividends and other dividends paid in property to the Depositary in respect of the ADSs, or to a non-Brazilian holder in respect of the preferred or common shares, are not subject to withholding income tax in Brazil, to the extent that such amounts are related to profits generated after January 1, 1996.

We must pay to our shareholders (including non-Brazilian holders of common or preferred shares or ADSs) interest on the amount of dividends payable to them, updated by the SELIC rate, from the end of each fiscal year through the date of effective payment of those dividends. These interest payments are considered fixed-yield income and are subject to withholding income tax at varying rates depending on the length of period of interest accrual. The tax rate for payments made to beneficiaries resident or domiciled in Brazil varies from 15%, in case of interest accrued for a period greater than 720 days, 17.5% in case of interest accrued for a period between 361 and 720 days, 20% in case of interest accrued for a period between 181 and 360 days, and to 22.5%, in case of interest accrued for a period up to 180 days. However, when the beneficiary is a non-Brazilian holder the general applicable withholding income tax rate over interest is 15% except in case the beneficiary is resident or domiciled in a country or other jurisdiction that does not impose income tax or imposes it at a maximum income tax rate lower than 17% (a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction) or, based on the position of the Brazilian tax authorities, a country or other jurisdiction where the local legislation does not allow access to information related to the shareholding composition of legal entities, to their ownership or to the identity of the effective beneficiary of the income attributed to shareholders (the “Non-Transparency Rule”), when the applicable withholding income tax rate will be 25%. See “Tax – Tax Strategy and Effect of Taxes on Our Income – Clarifications on Non-Brazilian Holders Resident or Domiciled in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction” in this annual report.

 

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Taxation on Interest on Capital

Any payment of interest on capital to holders of ADSs or preferred or common shares, whether or not they are Brazilian residents, is subject to Brazilian withholding income tax at the rate of 15% at the time we record such liability, whether or not the effective payment is made at that time. See “Shareholder Information – Dividends – Payment of Dividends and Interest on Capital” in this annual report. In the case of non-Brazilian residents that are resident in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction (including in the view of Brazilian authorities the jurisdictions to which the Non-Transparency Rule applies), the applicable withholding income tax rate is 25%. See “Tax – Tax Strategy and Effect of Taxes on Our Income – Clarifications on Non-Brazilian Holders Resident or Domiciled in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction” in this annual report. The payment of interest with respect to updating recorded distributions by the SELIC rate that is applicable to payments of dividends applies equally to payments of interest on capital. The determination of whether or not we will make distributions in the form of interest on capital or in the form of dividends is made by our Board of Directors at the time distributions are to be made. We cannot determine how our Board of Directors will make these determinations in connection with future distributions.

Taxation of Gains

For purposes of Brazilian taxation on capital gains, two types of non-Brazilian holders have to be considered: (i) non-Brazilian holders of ADSs, preferred shares or common shares that are not resident or domiciled in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction, and that, in the case of preferred or common shares, have registered before the Central Bank of Brazil and the CVM in accordance with CMN Resolution No. 4,373; and (ii) any other non-Brazilian holder, including non-Brazilian holders who invest in Brazil not in accordance with CMN Resolution No. 4,373 (including registration under Law No. 4,131/1962) and who are resident or domiciled in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction. See “Tax – Tax Strategy and Effect of Taxes on Our Income – Clarifications on Non- Brazilian Holders Resident or Domiciled in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction” in this annual report.

According to Law No. 10,833/2003, capital gains realized on the disposition of assets located in Brazil by non-Brazilian holders, whether or not to other non-residents and whether made outside or within Brazil, may be subject to taxation in Brazil. With respect to the disposition of common or preferred shares, as they are assets located in Brazil, the non-Brazilian holder may be subject to income tax on any gains realized, following the rules described below, regardless of whether the transactions are conducted in Brazil or with a Brazilian resident. We understand the ADSs do not fall within the definition of assets located in Brazil for the purposes of this law, but there is still neither pronunciation from tax authorities nor judicial court rulings in this respect. Therefore, we are unable to predict whether such understanding will prevail in the courts of Brazil.

Although there are grounds to sustain otherwise, the deposit of preferred or common shares in exchange for ADSs may be subject to Brazilian taxation on capital gains if the acquisition cost of the preferred or common shares is lower than the average price per preferred or common share.

The difference between the acquisition cost and the market price of the preferred or common shares will be considered realized capital gain that is subject to taxation as described below. There are grounds to sustain that such taxation is not applicable with respect to non-Brazilian holders registered under the rules of CMN Resolution No. 4,373 and not resident or domiciled in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction.

The withdrawal of ADSs in exchange for preferred or common shares should not be considered as giving rise to a capital gain subject to Brazilian income tax, provided that on receipt of the underlying preferred or common shares, the non-Brazilian holder complies with the registration procedure with the Central Bank of Brazil as described below in “Registered Capital.”

Capital gains realized by a non-Brazilian holder on a sale or disposition of preferred or common shares carried out on a Brazilian stock exchange (which includes transactions carried out on the organized over-the-counter market) are:

 

 

exempt from income tax when the non-Brazilian holder (i) has registered its investment in accordance with CMN Resolution No. 4,373 and (ii) is not resident or domiciled in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction;

 

 

subject to an income tax at a 25% rate, in cases of gains realized by a non-Brazilian holder resident or domiciled in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction or a jurisdiction to which the Non-Transparency Rule applies. In this case, a withholding income tax at a rate of 0.005% of the sale value is levied on the transaction which can be offset against the eventual income tax due on the capital gain; or

 

 

in all other cases, including a case of capital gains realized by a non-Brazilian holder that is not registered in accordance with CMN Resolution No. 4,373, subject to income tax at the following progressive rates: 15% that do not exceed R$5 million, 17.5% on the gains between R$5 million and R$10 million, 20% on the gains between R$10 million and R$30 million and 22.5% on the gains that exceed R$30 million. In these cases, a withholding income tax at a rate of 0.005% of the sale value is levied on the transaction, which can be offset against the eventual income tax due on the capital gain.

 

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Any capital gains realized on a disposition of preferred or common shares that is carried out outside the Brazilian stock exchange are subject to income tax above rates in case of gains realized by a non-Brazilian holder that is domiciled or resident in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction or a jurisdiction to which the Non-Transparency Rule applies. In this last case, for the capital gains related to transactions conducted on the Brazilian non-organized over-the-counter market with intermediation, the withholding income tax of 0.005% will also apply and can be offset against the eventual income tax due on the capital gain.

In the case of a redemption of preferred or common shares or ADSs or a capital reduction made by us, the positive difference between the amount received by the non-Brazilian holder and the acquisition cost of the preferred or common shares or ADSs redeemed or reduced is treated as capital gain derived from the sale or exchange of shares not carried out on a Brazilian stock exchange market and is therefore generally subject to the above rates. See “Tax – Tax Strategy and Effect of Taxes on Our Income – Clarifications on Non-Brazilian Holders Resident or Domiciled in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction” in this annual report.

Any exercise of preemptive rights relating to the preferred or common shares will not be subject to Brazilian taxation. Any gain on the sale or assignment of preemptive rights will be subject to Brazilian income taxation according to the same rules applicable to the sale or disposition of preferred or common shares.

No assurance can be made that the current preferential treatment of non-Brazilian holders of the ADSs and some non-Brazilian holders of the preferred or common shares under CMN Resolution No. 4,373 will continue to apply in the future.

Additional Recent Rules Regarding Taxation of Gains

On March 16, 2016, the Brazilian federal government converted the Provisional Measure No. 692 into Law No. 13,259, which established progressive income tax rates applicable to capital gains derived from the disposition of assets by Brazilian individuals. Law No. 13,259 provides for new rates that range from 15% to 22.5% depending on the amount of the gain recognized by the Brazilian individual, as follows: (i) 15% on gains not exceeding R$5 million; (ii) 17.5% on gains that exceed R$5 million and do not exceed R$10 million; (iii) 20% on gains that exceed R$10 million and do not exceed R$30 million; and (iv) 22.5% on gains exceeding R$30 million. Pursuant to Section 18 of Law No. 9,249/95, the tax treatment applicable to capital gains earned by Brazilian individuals also applies to capital gains earned by non-Brazilian residents (except in cases that remain subject to the application of specific rules, as explained in Section 149 of such law).

Clarifications on Non-Brazilian Holders Resident or Domiciled in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction

Law No. 9,779/1999 states that, except for limited prescribed circumstances, income derived from transactions by a person resident or domiciled in a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction will be subject to withholding income tax at the rate of 25%. A Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction is generally considered to be a country or other jurisdiction which does not impose any income tax or which imposes such tax at a maximum rate lower than 17%. Under certain circumstances, the NonTransparency Rule is also taken into account for determining whether a country or other jurisdiction is a Low or Nil Tax Jurisdiction. In addition, Law No. 11,727/2008 introduced the concept of a “privileged tax regime,” which is defined as a tax regime which (i) does not tax income or taxes it at a maximum rate lower than 17%; (ii) grants tax benefits to non-resident entities or individuals (a) without the requirement to carry out a substantial economic activity in the country or other jurisdiction or (b) contingent on the non-exercise of a substantial economic activity in the country or other jurisdiction; (iii) does not tax or that taxes foreign source income at a maximum rate lower than 17%; or (iv) does not provide access to information related to shareholding composition, ownership of assets and rights or economic transactions carried out. We believe that the best interpretation of Law No. 11,727/2008 is that the concept of a “privileged tax regime” will apply solely for purposes of the transfer pricing rules in export and import transactions, deductibility for Brazilian corporate income taxes and the thin capitalization rules and, would therefore generally not have an impact on the taxation of a non-Brazilian holder of preferred or common shares or ADSs, as discussed herein. However, we are unable to ascertain whether the privileged tax regime concept will also apply in the context of the rules applicable to Low or Nil Tax Jurisdictions, although the Brazilian tax authorities appear to agree with our position, in view of the provisions of the Withholding Income Tax Manual (MAFON – 2019), issued by the Brazilian Revenue Service.

 

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Taxation of Foreign Exchange Transactions (IOF/Exchange)

Brazilian law imposes the IOF/Exchange on the conversion of reais into foreign currency and on the conversion of foreign currency into reais. Currently, for most foreign currency exchange transactions, the rate of IOF/Exchange is 0.38%. However, foreign exchange transactions related to inflows of funds to Brazil for investments made by foreign investors in the Brazilian financial and capital markets are generally subject to IOF/Exchange at a zero percent rate. Foreign exchange transactions related to outflows of proceeds from Brazil in connection with investments made by foreign investors in the Brazilian financial and capital markets are also subject to the IOF/Exchange tax at a zero percent rate. This zero percent rate applies to payments of dividends and interest on capital received by foreign investors with respect to investments in the Brazilian financial and capital markets, such as investments made by a non-Brazilian holder as provided for in CMN Resolution No. 4,373. The Brazilian executive branch may increase such rates at any time, up to 25% of the amount of the foreign exchange transaction, but not with retroactive effect.

Taxation on Bonds and Securities Transactions (IOF/Bonds)

Brazilian law imposes IOF/Bonds on transactions involving equity securities, bonds and other securities, including those carried out on a Brazilian stock exchange. The rate of IOF/Bonds applicable to transactions involving preferred or common shares is currently zero. However, the Brazilian federal government may increase such rate at any time up to 1.5% of the transaction amount per day, but the tax cannot be applied retroactively.

The IOF on transfer of shares, which are admitted to trading on a stock exchange located in Brazil, with the specific purpose of backing the issuance of depositary receipts traded abroad have been reduced from 1.5% to zero, as of December 24, 2013.

Other Brazilian Taxes

There are no Brazilian inheritance, gift or succession taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of preferred or common shares or ADSs by a non-Brazilian holder, except for gift and inheritance taxes which are levied by certain states of Brazil on gifts made or inheritances bestowed by a non-Brazilian holder to individuals or entities resident or domiciled within such states in Brazil. There are no Brazilian stamp, issue, registration, or similar taxes or duties payable by holders of preferred or common shares or ADSs.

Registered Capital

The amount of an investment in preferred or common shares held by a non-Brazilian holder who obtains registration under CMN Resolution No. 4,373, or by the depositary representing such holder, is eligible for registration with the Central Bank of Brazil; and such registration allows the remittance outside Brazil of foreign currency, converted at the commercial market rate, acquired with the proceeds of distributions on, and amounts realized with respect to dispositions of, such preferred or common shares. The amount registered (“registered capital”) for each preferred or common share purchased as part of the international offering or purchased in Brazil after the date hereof, and deposited with the depositary, will be equal to its purchase price (in U.S. dollars). The registered capital for a preferred or common share that is withdrawn upon surrender of an ADS will be the U.S. dollar equivalent of:

(i) the average price of a preferred or common share on the Brazilian stock exchange on which the highest volume of such shares were traded on the day of withdrawal; or

(ii) if no preferred or common shares were traded on that day, the average price on the Brazilian stock exchange on which the highest volume of preferred or common shares were traded in the 15 trading sessions immediately preceding the date of such withdrawal.

The U.S. dollar value of the average price of preferred or common shares is determined on the basis of the average of the U.S. dollar/real commercial market rates quoted by the Central Bank of Brazil information system on that date (or, if the average price of preferred or common shares is determined under the second option above, price will be determined by the average quoted rates verified on the same 15 preceding trading sessions as described above).

A non-Brazilian holder of preferred or common shares may be subject to delays in effecting such registration, which in turn may delay remittances abroad. Such a delay may adversely affect the amount, in U.S. dollars, received by the non-Brazilian holder. See “Risks – Risk Factors – Equity and Debt Securities Risks” in this annual report.

 

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U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

This summary describes material U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) from the ownership and disposition of common or preferred shares or ADSs. This summary is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“the Code”), its legislative history, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and court decisions, all as in effect as of the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a decision to hold or dispose of common or preferred shares or ADSs. This summary applies only to purchasers of common or preferred shares or ADSs who hold the common or preferred shares or ADSs as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment), and does not apply to special classes of holders such as dealers or traders in securities or currencies, holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, holders of 10% or more of our shares, measured by voting power or value (taking into account shares held directly or through depositary arrangements), tax-exempt organizations, partnerships or partners therein, financial institutions, life insurance companies, holders liable for the alternative minimum tax, securities traders who elect to account for their investment in common or preferred shares or ADSs on a mark-to-market basis, persons that enter into a constructive sale transaction with respect to common or preferred shares or ADSs, persons holding common or preferred shares or ADSs in a hedging transaction or as part of a straddle or conversion transaction, or nonresident alien individuals present in the United States for more than 182 days in a taxable year. Moreover, this summary does not address state, local or foreign taxes or the U.S. federal estate and gift taxes.

EACH HOLDER SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR CONCERNING THE OVERALL TAX CONSEQUENCES IN ITS PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES UNDER LAWS OTHER THAN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS, OF AN INVESTMENT IN COMMON OR PREFERRED SHARES OR ADSs.

Shares of our preferred stock will be treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, a holder of an ADS will be treated as the holder of the shares of common or preferred stock represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no gain or loss will be recognized if you exchange ADSs for the shares of common or preferred stock represented by that ADS.

In this discussion, references to ADSs refer to ADSs with respect to both common and preferred shares, and references to a “U.S. Holder” are to a holder of a common or preferred share or ADS that is:

 

 

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

 

a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; or

 

 

otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net basis with respect to the share or the ADS.

Taxation of Distributions

A U.S. Holder will recognize ordinary dividend income for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the amount of any cash and the value of any property we distribute as a dividend to the extent that such distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, when such distribution is received by the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by the U.S. Holder in the case of a holder of common or preferred shares. The amount of any distribution will include distributions characterized as interest on capital and the amount of Brazilian tax withheld on the amount distributed, and the amount of a distribution paid in reais will be measured by reference to the exchange rate for converting reais into U.S. dollars in effect on the date the distribution is received by the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by a U.S. Holder in the case of a holder of common or preferred shares. If the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or U.S. Holder in the case of a holder of common or preferred shares, does not convert such reais into U.S. dollars on the date it receives them, it is possible that the U.S. Holder will recognize foreign currency loss or gain, which would be U.S. source ordinary loss or gain, when the reais are converted into U.S. dollars. Dividends paid by us will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code.

 

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Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the U.S. dollar amount of dividends received by a non-corporate U.S. Holder with respect to the ADSs will generally be subject to taxation at preferential rates if the dividends are “qualified dividends.” Dividends paid on the ADSs will be treated as qualified dividends if (i) the ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and (ii) Petrobras was not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and is not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a “passive foreign investment company” as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a PFIC). The ADSs are listed on the NYSE, and will qualify as readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States so long as they are so listed. Based on our audited consolidated financial statements and relevant market and shareholder data, we believe that we should not be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to the 2019 or 2018 taxable year. In addition, based on our audited consolidated financial statements and our current expectations regarding the value and nature of our assets, the sources and nature of our income, and relevant market and shareholder data, we do not anticipate becoming a PFIC for our 2020 taxable year. Based on existing guidance, it is not clear whether dividends received with respect to the shares will be treated as qualified dividends, because the shares are not themselves listed on a U.S. exchange. U.S. Holders of our ADSs should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in the light of their particular circumstances.

Distributions out of earnings and profits with respect to the shares or ADSs generally will be treated as dividend income from sources outside of the United States and generally will be treated as “passive category income” for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Subject to certain limitations, Brazilian income tax withheld in connection with any distribution with respect to the shares or ADSs may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. federal income tax liability of a U.S. Holder, or, at the U.S. Holder’s election, such Brazilian withholding tax may be taken as a deduction against taxable income (provided that the U.S. Holder elects to deduct, rather than credit, all foreign income taxes paid or accrued for the relevant taxable year). A U.S. foreign tax credit may not be allowed for Brazilian withholding tax imposed in respect of certain short-term or hedged positions in securities or in respect of arrangements in which a U.S. Holder’s expected economic profit is insubstantial. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the U.S. foreign tax credit, including the translation of reais into U.S. dollar for these purposes, in light of their particular circumstances.

Holders of ADSs that are foreign corporations or nonresident alien individuals (non-U.S. Holders) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, on distributions with respect to shares or ADSs that are treated as dividend income for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless such dividends are effectively connected with the conduct by the holder of a trade or business in the United States.

Taxation of Capital Gains

Upon the sale or other disposition of a share or an ADS, a U.S. Holder will generally recognize U.S. source capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such share or ADS. Any gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares or ADSs have been held for more than one year. Non-corporate U.S. Holders of shares or ADSs may be eligible for a preferential rate of U.S. federal income tax in respect of long-term capital gains. Capital losses may be deducted from taxable income, subject to certain limitations. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, such disposition would not result in foreign source income to a U.S. Holder. As a result, a U.S. Holder may not be able to use the foreign tax credit associated with any Brazilian income taxes imposed on such gains, unless such holder can use the credit against U.S. tax due on other foreign source income. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the U.S. foreign tax credit.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

The payment of dividends on, and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, the ADSs or common or preferred shares to a U.S. Holder within the United States (or through certain U.S. related financial intermediaries) will generally be subject to information reporting, and may be subject to “backup withholding” unless the U.S. Holder (i) is an exempt recipient, and demonstrates this fact when so required, or (ii) timely provides a taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding has occurred and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. The amount of any backup withholding collected from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the U.S. Holder to a refund, so long as the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

 

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U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors about any additional reporting requirements that may arise as a result of their purchasing, holding or disposing of our ADSs, or common or preferred shares.

A non-U.S. Holder generally will be exempt from these information reporting requirements and backup withholding tax, but may be required to comply with certain certification and identification procedures in order to establish its eligibility for such exemption.

Specified Foreign Financial Assets

Certain U.S. Holders that own “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of US$50,000 on the last day of the taxable year or US$75,000 at any time during the taxable year are generally required to file an information statement along with their tax returns, currently on Form 8938, with respect to such assets. “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts held at a non-U.S. financial institution, as well as securities issued by a non-U.S. issuer (which would include our common and preferred shares and ADSs) that are not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions. Higher reporting thresholds apply to certain individuals living abroad and to certain married individuals. Regulations extend this reporting requirement to certain entities that are treated as formed or availed of to hold direct or indirect interests in specified foreign financial assets based on certain objective criteria. U.S. Holders who fail to report the required information could be subject to substantial penalties. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of these rules to their investment, including the application of the rules to their particular circumstances.

Taxation Relating to PGF’s Notes

The following summary contains a description of material Brazilian, Dutch, European Union and U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of PGF’s debt securities (the “notes”). This summary does not describe any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, locality or taxing jurisdiction other than the Netherlands, Brazil and the United States.

This summary is based on the tax laws of the Netherlands, Brazil and the United States as in effect on the date of this annual report, which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect). This description is not a comprehensive description of all tax considerations that may be relevant to any particular investor, including tax considerations that arise from rules generally applicable to all taxpayers or to certain classes of investors or that investors are generally assumed to know. Prospective purchasers of notes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the notes.

There is no tax treaty to avoid double taxation between Brazil and the United States. In recent years, the tax authorities of Brazil and the United States have held discussions that may culminate in such a treaty. We cannot predict, however, whether or when a treaty will enter into force or how it will affect the U.S. Holders of notes.

Dutch Taxation

The following is a general summary of certain material Dutch tax consequences to holders of the notes in connection with the acquisition, ownership and disposal of notes in a Dutch company. This summary does not purport to describe all possible Dutch tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder or prospective holder of the notes and does not purport to deal with the tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules. In view of its general nature, this general summary should therefore be treated with appropriate caution.

This summary is based on the tax laws of the Netherlands, published regulations thereunder and published authoritative case law, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change or to different interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. Where the text refers to the Netherlands, it refers only to the part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands located in Europe.

For Dutch tax purposes, a holder of notes may include, without limitation:

 

 

an owner of one or more notes who, in addition to the title to such notes, has an economic interest in such notes;

 

 

a person who or an entity that holds the entire economic interest in one or more notes;

 

 

a person who or an entity that holds an interest in an entity, such as a partnership or a mutual fund, that is transparent for Dutch tax purposes, the assets of which comprise one or more notes; and

 

 

an individual who or an entity that does not have the legal title to the notes, but to whom the notes are attributed based either on such individual or entity holding a beneficial interest in the notes or based on specific statutory provisions, including statutory provisions pursuant to which the notes are attributed to an individual who is, or who has directly or indirectly inherited the notes from a person who was, the settlor, grantor or similar originator of a trust, foundation or similar entity that holds the notes.

 

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The discussion below is included for general information purposes only and is not Dutch tax advice or a complete description of all Dutch tax consequences relating to the acquisition, holding and disposal of the notes. Holders or prospective holders of notes should consult their own tax advisers as to the Dutch tax consequences of purchasing, including, without limitation, the consequences of the receipt of interest and the sale or other disposition of notes or coupons, in light of their particular circumstances.

Withholding Tax

All payments of interest and principal made by PGF under the notes can be made free of withholding or deduction for any taxes of any nature imposed, levied, withheld or assessed by the Netherlands or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, unless the notes qualify as equity of PGF for Dutch tax purposes.

Taxes on Income and Capital Gains

Please note that the summary in this section does not describe the Dutch tax considerations for:

 

 

holders of the notes if such holders, and in the case of an individual, his or her partner or certain of his or her relatives by blood or marriage in the direct line (including foster children), have a substantial interest (aanmerkelijk belang) or deemed substantial interest (fictief aanmerkelijk belang) in PGF under the Dutch Income Tax Act 2001 (Wet inkomstenbelasting 2001). Generally speaking, a holder of notes has a substantial interest in PGF if it has, directly or indirectly (and, in the case of an individual, alone or together with certain relatives) (i) the ownership of, a right to acquire the ownership of, or certain rights over, shares representing 5% or more of either the total issued and outstanding capital of PGF or the issued and outstanding capital of any class of shares of PGF, or (ii) the ownership of, or certain rights over, profit participating certificates (winstbewijzen) that relate to 5% or more of either the annual profit or the liquidation proceeds of PGF. A deemed substantial interest may arise if a substantial interest (or part thereof) has been disposed of, or is deemed to have been disposed of, on a non-recognition basis;

 

 

pension funds, investment institutions (fiscale beleggingsinstellingen), exempt investment institutions (vrijgestelde beleggingsinstellingen) (as defined in the Dutch Corporate Income Tax Act 1969 (Wet op de vennootschapsbelasting 1969)) and other entities that are, in whole or in part, not subject to or exempt from Dutch corporate income tax; and

 

 

holders of notes who are individuals and for whom the notes or any benefit derived from the notes are a remuneration or deemed to be a remuneration for activities performed by such holders or certain individuals related to such holders (as defined in the Dutch Income Tax Act 2001).

A holder of notes will not be subject to any Dutch taxes on income or capital gains in respect of the notes, including such tax on any payment under the notes or in respect of any gain realized on the disposal, deemed disposal, redemption or exchange of the notes, provided that:

 

 

such holder is neither a resident nor deemed to be a resident of the Netherlands;

 

 

such holder does not have, and is not deemed to have, an enterprise or an interest in an enterprise that, in whole or in part, is either effectively managed in the Netherlands or carried on through a (deemed) permanent establishment (vaste inrichting) or a permanent representative (vaste vertegenwoordiger) in the Netherlands and to which enterprise or part of an enterprise the notes are attributable;

 

 

if such holder is an individual, such income or capital gains do not form “benefits from miscellaneous activities in the Netherlands” (resultaat uit overige werkzaamheden in Nederland), including without limitation activities in the Netherlands with respect to the notes that exceed “normal asset management” (normal, actief vermogensbeheer);

 

 

if such holder is an entity, the holder is not entitled to a share in the profits of an enterprise nor a co- entitlement to the net worth of an enterprise, which is effectively managed in the Netherlands, other than by way of securities, and to which enterprise the notes are attributable; and

 

 

if such holder is an individual, the holder is not entitled to a share in the profits of an enterprise that is effectively managed in the Netherlands, other than by way of securities, and to which enterprise the notes are attributable.

A holder of notes will not be treated as a resident of the Netherlands by reason only of the execution, delivery or enforcement of its rights and obligations connected to the notes, the issue of the notes or the performance by PGF of its obligations under the notes.

 

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Gift and Inheritance Taxes

No gift or inheritance taxes will arise in the Netherlands with respect to an acquisition or deemed acquisition of notes by way of a gift by, or on the death of, a holder of notes who is neither resident nor deemed to be resident in the Netherlands for the relevant provisions, unless:

 

 

in case of a gift of the notes under a suspensive condition by an individual who at the date of the gift was neither resident nor deemed to be resident in the Netherlands, such individual is resident or deemed to be resident in the Netherlands at the date of (i) the fulfillment of the condition or (ii) his/her death and the condition of the gift is fulfilled after the date of his/her death; or

 

 

in case of a gift of notes by an individual who at the date of the gift or, in case of a gift under a suspensive condition, at the date of the fulfillment of the condition was neither resident nor deemed to be resident in the Netherlands, such individual dies within 180 days after the date of the gift or fulfillment of the condition, while being resident or deemed to be resident in the Netherlands.

For purposes of Dutch gift and inheritance taxes, amongst others, a person who holds the Dutch nationality will be deemed to be resident in the Netherlands if such person has been resident in the Netherlands at any time during the ten years preceding the date of the gift or his/her death. Additionally, for purposes of Dutch gift tax, amongst others, a person not holding the Dutch nationality will be deemed to be resident in the Netherlands if such person has been resident in the Netherlands at any time during the twelve months preceding the date of the gift.

Value added tax (VAT)

No Dutch VAT will be payable by a holder of the notes in respect of any payment in consideration for the issue of the notes or with respect to any payment by PGF of principal, interest or premium (if any) on the notes.

Other Taxes and Duties

No other Dutch registration taxes, or any other similar taxes of a documentary nature, such as capital tax or stamp duty, will be payable in the Netherlands by or on behalf of a holder of the notes by reason only of the purchase, ownership and disposal of the notes.

FATCA

Pursuant to certain provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, commonly known as FATCA, a “foreign financial institution” may be required to withhold on certain payments it makes to persons that fail to meet certain certification, reporting or related requirements.

Pursuant to FATCA, holders and beneficial owners of the notes may be required to provide to a financial institution in the chain of payments on the notes information and tax documentation regarding their identities, and in the case of a holder that is an entity, the identities of their direct and indirect owners, and this information may be reported to relevant tax authorities, including the IRS. Moreover, financial institutions through which payments are made, may be required to withhold U.S. tax at a 30% rate on “foreign pass thru payments” (a term not yet defined) paid to an investor who does not provide information sufficient for the institution to determine whether the investor is a U.S. person or should otherwise be treated as holding a “United States account” of the institution, or to an investor that is, or holds the notes directly or indirectly through, a non-U.S. financial institution that is not in compliance with FATCA. Regulations implementing the rules on withholding taxes imposed on “foreign pass thru payments” have not yet been adopted or proposed and the IRS has indicated that any such regulations would not be effective for payments made two years after the date on which final regulations on this issue are published). Holders of our common or preferred shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors to obtain a more detailed explanation of FATCA and to learn how FATCA might affect each holder in its particular circumstances.

Under a grandfathering rule, this withholding tax will not apply unless the notes are issued or materially modified after the date that is six months after the date on which final United States Treasury Regulations defining the term “foreign pass thru payment” are filed with the United States Federal Register.

 

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A number of jurisdictions, including the Netherlands, have entered into, or have agreed in substance to, intergovernmental agreements with the United States to implement FATCA (“IGAs”), which modify the way in which FATCA applies in their jurisdictions. Certain holders of the notes therefore may be required to provide information and tax documentation regarding their identities, as well as that of their direct and indirect owners, and this information may be reported to the Dutch tax authorities and ultimately to the IRS.

Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding how these rules may apply to their investment in the notes.

The Proposed Financial Transactions Tax (FTT)

On February 14, 2013, the European Commission published a proposal (“Commission’s Proposal”) for a directive for a common financial transaction tax, or FTT, in Austria, Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Spain, or the participating member states (“Member States”). However, Estonia has since stated that it will not participate.

Under the Commission’s Proposal, the FTT could apply in certain circumstances to persons both within and outside of the participating Member States. Generally, it would apply to certain dealings in the notes where at least one party is a financial institution, and at least one party is established in a participating Member State. A financial institution may be, or be deemed to be, “established” in a participating Member State in a broad range of circumstances, including (1) by transacting with a person established in a participating Member State or (2) where the financial instrument which is subject to the dealings is issued in a participating Member State.

However, the FTT remains subject to negotiation between the participating Member States and the legality of the proposal is uncertain. The FTT may therefore be altered prior to any implementation, the timing of which remains unclear. Additional European Union Member States may decide to participate and/or certain of the participating Member States may decide to withdraw.

The Commission’s Proposal has a very broad scope and could, if introduced in its current form, apply to certain dealings in notes in certain circumstances. This could, accordingly, affect the market value of notes and/or limit the ability to resell notes but given the lack of certainty at this stage, it is not possible to predict in full the effects of the proposed FTT. Prospective holders of notes are advised to seek their own professional advice in relation to the FTT.

Brazilian Taxation

The following discussion is a summary of the Brazilian tax considerations relating to an investment in the notes by a non-resident of Brazil. The discussion is based on the tax laws of Brazil as in effect on the date hereof and is subject to any change in Brazilian law that may come into effect after such date. The information set forth below is intended to be a general discussion only and does not address all possible consequences relating to an investment in the notes.

INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS AS TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING THE NOTES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE RECEIPT OF INTEREST AND THE SALE, REDEMPTION OR REPAYMENT OF THE NOTES OR COUPONS.

Generally, an individual, entity, trust or organization domiciled for tax purposes outside Brazil, or a “Nonresident,” is taxed in Brazil only when income is derived from Brazilian sources or when the transaction giving rise to such earnings involves assets in Brazil. Therefore, any gains or interest (including original issue discount), fees, commissions, expenses and any other income paid by PGF in respect of the notes issued by them in favor of non-resident holders are not subject to Brazilian taxes.

Interest, fees, commissions, expenses and any other income payable by us as guarantor resident in Brazil to a non-resident are generally subject to income tax withheld at source. The rate of withholding income tax in respect of interest payments is generally (in case of fixed yields – See “Taxation of Dividends”) 15%, unless (i) the holder of the notes is resident or domiciled in a “tax haven jurisdiction” (that is deemed to be a country or jurisdiction which does not impose any tax on income or which imposes such tax at a maximum effective rate lower than 17% or where the local legislation imposes restrictions on disclosing the identities of shareholders, the ownership of investments, or the ultimate beneficiary of earnings distributed to the non-resident – “tax haven jurisdiction”), in which case the applicable rate is 25% or (ii) such other lower rate as provided for in an applicable tax treaty between Brazil and another country where the beneficiary is domiciled. In case the guarantor is required to assume the obligation to pay the principal amount of the notes, Brazilian tax authorities could attempt to impose withholding income tax at the rate of up to 25% as described above. Although Brazilian legislation does not provide a specific tax rule for such cases and there is no official position from tax authorities or precedents from the Brazilian court regarding the matter, we believe that the remittance of funds by us as a guarantor for the payment of the principal amount of the notes will not be subject to income tax in Brazil, because the mere fact that the guarantor is making the payment does not convert the nature of the principal due under the notes into income of the beneficiary.

 

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If the payments with respect to the notes are made by us, as provided for in the guaranties, the non-resident holders will be indemnified so that, after payment of all applicable Brazilian taxes collectable by withholding, deduction or otherwise, with respect to principal, interest and additional amounts payable with respect to the notes (plus any interest and penalties thereon), a non-resident holder will receive an amount equal to the amount that such non-resident holder would have received as if no such Brazilian taxes (plus interest and penalties thereon) were withheld. The Brazilian obligor will, subject to certain exceptions, pay additional amounts in respect of such withholding or deduction so that the non-resident holder receives the net amount due.

Gains on the sale or other disposition of the notes made outside of Brazil by a non-resident, other than a branch or a subsidiary of Brazilian resident, to another non-resident are not subject to Brazilian income tax.

In addition, payments made from Brazil are subject to the tax on foreign exchange transactions (IOF/Câmbio), which is levied on the conversion of Brazilian currency into foreign currency and on the conversion of foreign currency into Brazilian currency at a general rate of 0.38% . Other IOF/ Câmbio rates may apply to specific transactions. In any case, the Brazilian federal government may increase, at any time, such rate up to 25% but only with respect to future transactions.

Generally, there are no inheritance, gift, succession, stamp, or other similar taxes in Brazil with respect to the ownership, transfer, assignment or any other disposition of the notes by a non-resident, except for gift and inheritance taxes imposed by some Brazilian states on gifts or bequests by individuals or entities not domiciled or residing in Brazil to individuals or entities domiciled or residing within such states.

U.S. Federal Income Taxation

The following summary sets forth material United States federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a holder of a note that is, for U.S. federal income purposes, a citizen or resident of the United States or a domestic corporation or that otherwise is subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis in respect of the notes (a “U.S. Holder”). This summary is based upon the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings by the IRS, and court decisions, all as in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary does not purport to discuss all aspects of the U.S. federal income taxation which may be relevant to special classes of investors, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, dealers or traders in securities or currencies, securities traders who elect to account for their investment in notes on a mark-to-market basis, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt organizations, partnerships or partners therein, holders that are subject to the alternative minimum tax, certain short-term holders of notes, persons that hedge their exposure in the notes or hold notes as part of a position in a “straddle” or as part of a hedging transaction or “conversion transaction” for U.S. federal tax purposes, persons that enter into a “constructive sale” transaction with respect to the notes, nonresident alien individuals present in the United States for more than 182 days in a taxable year, or U.S. Holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. U.S. Holders should be aware that the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding the notes may be materially different for investors described in the prior sentence.

In addition, this summary does not discuss any foreign, state or local tax considerations. This summary only applies to original purchasers of notes who have purchased notes at the original issue price and hold the notes as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment). U.S. Holders of notes denominated in a currency other than US$ should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of foreign currency gain or loss rules to the notes and the treatment of any foreign currency received in respect of the notes.

EACH INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR CONCERNING THE OVERALL TAX CONSEQUENCES IN ITS PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES UNDER LAWS OTHER THAN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS, OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES.

 

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Book/Tax Conformity

U.S. Holders that use an accrual method of accounting for tax purposes (“accrual method holders”) generally are required to include certain amounts in income no later than the time such amounts are reflected on certain financial statements (the “book/tax conformity rule”). The application of the book/tax conformity rule thus may require the accrual of income earlier than would be the case under the general tax rules described below. It is not entirely clear to what types of income the book/tax conformity rule applies, or, in some cases, how the rule is to be applied if it is applicable. However, recently released proposed regulations generally would exclude, among other items, original issue discount and market discount (in either case, whether or not de minimis) from the applicability of the book/tax conformity rule. Although the proposed regulations generally will not be effective until taxable years beginning after the date on which they are issued in final form, taxpayers generally are permitted to elect to rely on their provisions currently. Accrual method holders should consult with their tax advisors regarding the potential applicability of the book/tax conformity rule to their particular situation.

Payments of Interest

Payment of “qualified stated interest,” as defined below, on a note (including additional amounts, if any) generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income when such interest is accrued or is actually or constructively received, in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s applicable method of accounting for U.S. federal tax purposes. In general, if a note is issued with an “issue price” that is less than its “stated redemption price at maturity” by more than a de minimis amount, such note will be considered to have “original issue discount,” or OID. For this purpose, the “issue price” generally is the first price at which a substantial amount of such notes is sold to investors for money. A U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the issue price for a note, in particular where the note has been issued pursuant to an exchange offer or a reopening or the note’s terms have been amended. The stated redemption price at maturity of a note generally includes all payments on the note other than payments of qualified stated interest.

In general, each U.S. Holder of a note, whether such holder uses the cash or the accrual method of tax accounting, will be required to include in gross income as ordinary interest income the sum of the “daily portions” of OID on the note, if any, for all days during the taxable year that the U.S. Holder owns the note. The daily portions of OID on a note are determined by allocating to each day in any accrual period a ratable portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. In general, in the case of an initial holder, the amount of OID on a note allocable to each accrual period is determined by (i) multiplying the “adjusted issue price,” as defined below, of the note at the beginning of the accrual period by the yield to maturity of the note, and (ii) subtracting from that product the amount of qualified stated interest allocable to that accrual period. U.S. Holders should be aware that they generally must include OID in gross income as ordinary interest income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as it accrues, in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to that income. The “adjusted issue price” of a note at the beginning of any accrual period will generally be the sum of its issue price (generally including accrued interest, if any) and the amount of OID allocable to all prior accrual periods, reduced by the amount of all payments other than payments of qualified stated interest (if any) made with respect to such note in all prior accrual periods. The term “qualified stated interest” generally means stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or property (other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually during the entire term of a note at a single fixed rate of interest, or subject to certain conditions, based on one or more interest indices.

Interest income, including OID, in respect of the notes will constitute foreign source income for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, with certain exceptions, will be treated separately, together with other items of “passive category income,” for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable under the U.S. federal income tax laws. The calculation of foreign tax credits involves the application of complex rules that depend on a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of foreign tax credits and the treatment of additional amounts.

Sale or Disposition of Notes

A U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a note in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon such sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition (other than amounts attributable to accrued qualified stated interest, which will be taxed as such) and such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s cost for the note increased by any amounts included in gross income by such U.S. Holder as OID, if any, and reduced by any payments other than payments of qualified stated interest on that note. Gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a note generally will be U.S. source gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless it is attributable to an office or other fixed place of business outside the United States and certain other conditions are met. The gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the notes were held for more than one year. The net amount of long-term capital gain recognized by an individual holder generally is subject to taxation at preferential rates. Capital losses may be deducted from taxable income, subject to certain limitations.

 

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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

A U.S. Holder may, under certain circumstances, be subject to “backup withholding” with respect to certain payments to that U.S. Holder, unless the holder (i) is an exempt recipient, and demonstrates this fact when so required, or (ii) provides a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Any amount withheld under these rules generally will be creditable against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. While non-U.S. Holders generally are exempt from backup withholding, a non-U.S. Holder may, in certain circumstances, be required to comply with certain information and identification procedures in order to prove entitlement to this exemption.

U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors about any additional reporting requirements that may arise as a result of their purchasing, holding or disposing of the notes.

Specified Foreign Financial Assets

Certain U.S. Holders that own “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of US$50,000 on the last day of the taxable year or US$75,000 at any time during the taxable year are generally required to file an information statement along with their tax returns, currently on Form 8938, with respect to such assets. “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts held at a non-U.S. financial institution, as well as securities issued by a non-U.S. issuer (which would include the notes) that are not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions. Higher reporting thresholds apply to certain individuals living abroad and to certain married individuals. Regulations extend this reporting requirement to certain entities that are treated as formed or availed of to hold direct or indirect interests in specified foreign financial assets based on certain objective criteria. U.S. Holders who fail to report the required information could be subject to substantial penalties. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the notes, including the application of the rules to their particular circumstances.

 

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LOGO

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

List of Exhibits

 

No.   

Description

1.1   

Amended Bylaws of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.-Petrobras, dated as of March 04, 2020.

2.1    Indenture, dated as of December  15, 2006, between Petrobras International Finance Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Registration Statement of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company on Form F-3, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December  18, 2006 (File Nos. 333-139459 and 333-139459-01)).
2.2    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October  30, 2009, among Petrobras International Finance Company, Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to the 6.875% Global Notes due 2040 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.36 to the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2010 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.3    Guaranty for the 6.875% Global Notes due 2040, dated as of October  30, 2009, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.38 to the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2010 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.4   

Description of Securities.

2.5    Transfer of Rights Agreement, dated as of September  3, 2010, among Petrobras, the Brazilian Federal Government and the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.47 to the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26, 2011 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.6    Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December  9, 2011, among Petrobras International Finance Company, Petrobras, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Principal Paying Agent and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A., as Luxembourg Paying Agent, relating to the 5.875% Global Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Form 6-K of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 2011 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.7    Guaranty for the 5.875% Global Notes due 2022, dated as of December  9, 2011, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Form 6-K of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 2011 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.8    Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December  12, 2011, among Petrobras International Finance Company, Petrobras, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Principal Paying Agent and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A., as Luxembourg Paying Agent, relating to the 6.250% Global Notes due 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 6-K of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2011 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.9    Guaranty for the 6.250% Global Notes due 2026, dated as of December  12, 2011, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 6-K of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2011 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.10    Further Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of January  2, 2020, among Petrobras, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary, and registered holders and beneficial owners from time to time of the ADSs, representing the common shares of Petrobras, and Form of ADR evidencing ADSs representing the common shares of Petrobras.
2.11    Further Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of January  2, 2020, among Petrobras, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary, and registered holders and beneficial owners from time to time of the ADSs, representing the preferred shares of Petrobras, and Form of ADR evidencing ADSs representing the preferred shares of Petrobras.

 

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2.12    Amended and Restated Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February  6, 2012, among Petrobras International Finance Company, Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to the 5.375% Global Notes due 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 6-K of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2012 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.13    Amended and Restated Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February  6, 2012, among Petrobras International Finance Company, Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to the 6.750% Global Notes due 2041 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Form 6-K of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2012 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.14    Amended and Restated Guaranty for the 5.375% Global Notes due 2021, dated as of February  6, 2012, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 6-K of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2012 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.15    Amended and Restated Guaranty for the 6.750% Global Notes due 2041, dated as of February  6, 2012, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Form 6-K of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2012 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.16    Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February  10, 2012, among Petrobras International Finance Company, Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.11 to the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2012 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.17    Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February  10, 2012, among Petrobras International Finance Company, Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.60 to the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Petrobras and Petrobras International Finance Company, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2012 (File Nos. 001-15106 and 001-33121)).
2.18    Indenture, dated as of August  29, 2012, between Petrobras Global Finance B.V. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement on Form F-3 of Petrobras, Petrobras International Finance Company and Petrobras Global Finance B.V., filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2012 (File Nos. 333-183618, 333-183618-01 and 333-183618-02)).
2.19    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October  1, 2012, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as principal paying agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A., as Luxembourg paying agent, relating to the 4.25% Global Notes due 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 2012 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.20    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October  1, 2012, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as principal paying agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A., as Luxembourg paying agent, relating to the 5.375% Global Notes due 2029 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 2012 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.21    Guaranty for the 4.25% Global Notes due 2023, dated as of October  1, 2012, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on October  1, 2012 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.22    Guaranty for the 5.375% Global Notes due 2029, dated as of October  1, 2012, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on October  1, 2012 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.23    Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May  20, 2013, between Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to the 4.375% Global Notes due 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2013 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.24    Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May  20, 2013, between Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to the 5.625% Global Notes due 2043 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2013 (File No. 001-15106)).

 

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2.25    Guaranty for the 4.375% Global Notes due 2023, dated as of May  20, 2013, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May  20, 2013 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.26    Guaranty for the 5.625% Global Notes due 2043, dated as of May  20, 2013, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May  20, 2013 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.27    Production Sharing Agreement, dated as of December  2, 2013, among Petrobras, Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltda., Total E&P do Brasil Ltda., CNODC Brasil Petróleo e Gás Ltda. and CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda., the Brazilian Federal Government, Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A.—PPSA and the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Petrobras, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.28    Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January  14, 2014, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as principal paying agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A., as Luxembourg paying agent, relating to the 3.750% Global Notes due 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 14, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.29    Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January  14, 2014, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as principal paying agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A., as Luxembourg paying agent, relating to the 4.750% Global Notes due 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 14, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.30    Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January  14, 2014, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as principal paying agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A., as Luxembourg paying agent, relating to the 6.625% Global Notes due 2034 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 14, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.31    Guaranty for the 3.750% Global Notes due 2021, dated as of January  14, 2014, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on January  14, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.32    Guaranty for the 4.750% Global Notes due 2025, dated as of January  14, 2014, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on January  14, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.33    Guaranty for the 6.625% Global Notes due 2034, dated as of January  14, 2014, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on January  14, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.34    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March  17, 2014, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to the 6.250% Global Notes due 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.35    Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March  17, 2014, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to the 7.250% Global Notes due 2044 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.36    Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March  17, 2014, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to the Floating Rate Global Notes due 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.37    Guaranty for the 6.250% Global Notes due 2024, dated as of March  17, 2014, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on March  17, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.38    Guaranty for the 7.250% Global Notes due 2044, dated as of March 17, 2014, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).

 

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2.39    Guaranty for the Floating Rate Global Notes due 2020, dated as of March  17, 2014, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on March  17, 2014 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.40    Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December  28, 2014, among Petrobras International Finance Company S.A., Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 15, 2015 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.41    Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December  28, 2014, among Petrobras International Finance Company S.A., Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 15, 2015 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.42    First Amendment to the Guaranties, dated as of December  28, 2014, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on January  15, 2015 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.43    Twentieth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June  5, 2015, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to the 6.850% Global Notes due 2115 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2015 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.44    Guaranty for the 6.850% Global Notes due 2115, dated as of June  5, 2015, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on June  5, 2015 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.45    Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May  23, 2016, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, relating to the 8.375% Global Notes due 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2016 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.46    Amended and Restated Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July  13, 2016, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, relating to the 8.375% Global Notes due 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2016 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.47    Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May  23, 2016, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, relating to the 8.750% Global Notes due 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2016 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.48    Amended and Restated Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July  13, 2016, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, relating to the 8.750% Global Notes due 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2016 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.49    Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January  17, 2017, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, relating to the 6.125% Global Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 17, 2017 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.50    Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January  17, 2017, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, relating to the 7.375% Global Notes due 2027 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 17, 2017 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.51    Guaranty for the 8.375% Global Notes due 2021, dated as of May 23, 2016, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2016 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.52    Amended and Restated Guaranty for the 8.375% Global Notes due 2021, dated as of July 13, 2016, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2016 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.53    Guaranty for the 8.750% Global Notes due 2026, dated as of May 23, 2016, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2016 (File No. 01-15106)).

 

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2.54    Amended and Restated Guaranty for the 8.750% Global Notes due 2026, dated as of July 13, 2016, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2016 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.55    Amended and Restated Guaranty for the 6.125% Global Notes due 2022, dated as of May 22, 2017, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2017 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.56    Amended and Restated Guaranty for the 7.375% Global Notes due 2027, dated as of May 22, 2017, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2017 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.57    Amended and Restated Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 17, 2017, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, relating to the 6.125% Global Notes due 202 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2017 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.58    Amended and Restated Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 22, 2017, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, relating to the 7.375% Global Notes due 2027 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2017 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.59    Amended and Restated Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 22, 2017, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to the 7.250% Global Notes due 2044 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2017 (File No. 01-15106)).
2.60*    Indenture, dated as of September 27, 2017, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, relating to the 5.299% Global Notes due 2025.
2.61*    Indenture, dated as of September 27, 2017, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, relating to the 5.999% Global Notes due 2028.
2.62    Guaranty for the 5.299% Global Notes due 2025, dated as of September 27, 2017, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.96 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2018 (File No. 333-226375)).
2.63    Guaranty for the 5.999% Global Notes due 2028, dated as of September 27, 2017, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.97 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2018 (File No. 333-226375)).
2.64    Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February  1, 2018, among Petrobras Global Finance B.V., Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, relating to the 5.750% Global Notes due 2029 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2018 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.65    Guaranty for the 5.750% Global Notes due 2029, dated as of February  1, 2018, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February  1, 2018 (File No. 001-15106)).
2.66    Indenture, dated as of August  28, 2018 between Petrobras and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement of Petrobras and Petrobras Global Finance on Form F-3, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 28, 2018 (File Nos. 333-227087 and 333-227087-01)).
2.67    Indenture, dated as of August  28, 2018 between Petrobras Global Finance B.V. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement of Petrobras and Petrobras Global Finance B.V. on Form F-3, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 28, 2018 (File Nos. 333-227087 and 333-227087-01)).
2.68    Amended And Restated Guaranty for the 5.750% Global Notes due 2029, dated as of March  19, 2019, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on March  19, 2019 (File No. 001-15106).
2.69    Amended And Restated Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture for the 5.750% Global Notes due 2029, dated as of March 19, 2019, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2019 (File No. 001-15106).

 

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2.70    Guaranty for the 6.90% Global Notes due 2049, dated as of March  19, 2019, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on March  19, 2019 (File No. 001-15106).

2.71

   First Supplemental Indenture for the 6.90% Global Notes due 2049, dated as of March  19, 2019, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on March  19, 2019 (File No. 001-15106).
2.72    Amended and Restated Guaranty of theAmended and Restated Guaranty of the 7.250% Global Notes due 2044, dated as of March 17, 2014, between Petrobras and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Form 6-K of Petrobras, furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2017 (File No. 001-15106)).
4.1   

Form of Concession Agreement for Exploration, Development and Production of crude oil and natural gas executed between Petrobras and the ANP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Petrobras’ Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 14, 2000 (File No. 333-12298)).

This was a paper filing, and is not available on the SEC website.

4.2   

Purchase and Sale Agreement of natural gas, executed between Petrobras and Yacimientos Petroliferous Fiscales Bolivianos-YPFB (together with and English version) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Petrobras’ Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 14, 2000 (File No. 333-12298)). This was a paper filing, and is not available on the SEC website.

Until the moment seven GSA Additives have been concluded since its celebration on August 16, 1996, so the GSA remains in force.

8.1    List of Subsidiaries.
12.1    Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
13.1    Certifications Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
15.1    Consent letter of KPMG.
15.2    Consent letter of DeGolyer and MacNaughton.
15.3    Hydrocarbon Production by Geographic Area.
15.4    List of Our Vessels.
99.1    Third Party Reports of DeGolyer and MacNaughton.
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

*

Incorporated by Reference

 

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Signatures

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Rio de Janeiro, on March 20, 2020.

 

  Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—PETROBRAS
By:   /s/    Roberto da Cunha Castello Branco
  Name:   Roberto da Cunha Castello Branco
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer
By:   /s/    Andrea Marques de Almeida
  Name:   Andrea Marques de Almeida
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investor Relations Officer
   

 

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Abbreviations

 

bbl    Barrels
bbl/d    Barrels per day
bcf    Billion cubic feet
bn    Billion (thousand million)
bnbbl    Billion barrels
bncf    Billion cubic feet
bnm3    Billion cubic meters
bnboe    Billion barrels of oil equivalent
boe    Barrels of oil equivalent
boed    Barrels of oil equivalent per day
cf    Cubic feet
GWh    One gigawatt of power supplied or demanded for one hour
km    Kilometer
km2    Square kilometers
m3    Cubic meter
mbbl    Thousand barrels
mbbl/d    Thousand barrels per day
mboe    Thousand barrels of oil equivalent
mboed    Thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day
mcf    Thousand cubic feet
mcf/d    Thousand cubic feet per day
mm3    Thousand cubic meters
mm3/d    Thousand cubic meters per day
mm3/y    Thousand cubic meter per year
mmbbl    Million barrels
mmbbl/d    Million barrels per day
mmboe    Million barrels of oil equivalent
mmboed    Million barrels of oil equivalent per day
mmcf    Million cubic feet
mmcf/d    Million cubic feet per day
mmm3    Million cubic meters
mmm3/d    Million cubic meters per day
mmt    Million metric tons
mmt/y    Million metric tons per year
MW    Megawatts
MWavg    Amount of energy (in MWh) divided by the time (in hours) inwhich such energy is produced or consumed
MWh    One megawatt of power supplied or demanded for one hour
ppm    Parts per million
R$    Brazilian reais
t    Metric ton
Tcf    Trillion cubic feet
US$    United States dollars
/d    Per day

/y

  

Per year

 

235


Table of Contents

Conversion Table

 

1 acre    =    43,560 square feet    =    0.004047 km2
1 barrel    =    42 U.S. gallons    =    Approximately 0.13 t of oil
1 boe    =    1 barrel of crude oil equivalent    =    6,000 cf of natural gas
1 mof natural gas    =    35.315 cf    =    0.0059 boe
1 km    =    0.6214 miles      
1 meter    =    3.2808 feet      
1 t of crude oil    =    1,000 kilograms of crude oil    =    Approximately 7.5 barrels of crude oil (assuming an atmospheric pressure index gravity of 37°API)

 

236


Table of Contents

Cross Reference to Form 20-F

 

Form 20-F
Captions

  

Location in this Annual Report

  

Pages

   Disclaimer    1
   Glossary of Certain Terms used in this Annual Report    3
   About Us    10
  

•  Selected Financial Data

   11
  

•  Overview

 

   13
      PART I      
Item 1.    Identity of Directors, Senior Managementand Advisers    Not applicable   
Item 2.    Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable    Not applicable   
Item 3.    Key Information      
   A. Selected Financial Data    About us (Selected Financial Data; Overview)   

13; 11; 13

   B. Capitalization and indebtedness    Not applicable   
   C. Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds    Not applicable   
   D. Risk factors    Risks    19
Item 4.    Information on the Company      
   A. History and development of the company    About Us (Overview)    13
   B. Business overview    About Us (Overview); Our Business; Portfolio Management; 2020-2024 Strategic Plan; Legal and Tax (Regulation)   

13; 38; 93;

104; 198

   C. Organizational structure    Overview; Exhibit 8.1 – List of Subsidiaries    13
   D. Property, plants and equipment   

Our Business; Legal and Tax (Regulation)

   38; 198
Item 4A.    Unresolved Staff Comments    None   
Item 5.    Operating and Financial Review and Prospects      
   A. Operating results    Operating and Financial Review and Prospects   

125

   B. Liquidity and capital resources    Operating and Financial Review and Prospects (Liquidity and Capital Resources)    137
   C. Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.    Strategic Plan (Digital Transformation)    110
   D. Trend Information    Our Business    38
   E. Off-balance sheet arrangements   

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects (Other Information – Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements)

  

148

   F. Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations    Operating and Financial Review and Prospects (Other Information – Contractual Obligations)   

148

   G. Safe harbor   

Forward-Looking Statements

  

1

Item 6.    Directors, Senior Management and Employees      
   A. Directors and senior management    Management and Employees (Management)   

150

   B. Compensation   

Management and Employees (Additional Information on our Board of Directors and Board of Executive Officers)

  

159

   C. Board practices   

Management and Employees (Management)

  

150

   D. Employees   

Management and Employees (Employees)

   168
   E. Share Ownership   

Shareholder Information (Listing; Shares and Shareholder) and Management and Employees (Share Ownership)

  

182; 160; 160

Item 7.    Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions      
   A. Major shareholders   

Shareholder Information (Shares and Shareholders)

  

183

   B. Related party transactions    Management and Employees (Related Party Transactions)    166
   C. Interests of experts and counsel    Not applicable   

 

237


Table of Contents

Form 20-F
Captions

  

Location in this Annual Report

  

Pages

      PART I      
Item 8.    Financial Information      
   A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial   

Financial Statements; Legal Proceedings;

  

F-1; 206

   Information    Shareholder Information (Dividends)   

191

   B. Significant Changes    Not applicable   
Item 9.    The Offer and Listing      
   A. Offer and listing details    Not applicable   
   B. Plan of distribution    Not applicable   
   C. Markets    Shareholder Information (Listing)    182
   D. Selling shareholders    Not applicable   
   E. Dilution    Not applicable   
   F. Expenses of the issue    Not applicable   
Item 10.    Additional Information      
   A. Share capital    Shareholder Information (Listing; Shares and Shareholders)    182; 183
   B. Memorandum and articles of association    Shareholder Information (Shareholders Rights); Environment, Social and Governance (Governance)   

187;

121

   C. Material contracts    Legal and Tax (Material Contracts)    203
   D. Exchange controls    Shareholder Information (Additional Information for Foreign Shareholders)    195
   E. Taxation    Legal and Tax (Tax)    212
   F. Dividends and paying agents    Not applicable   
   G. Statement by experts    Our Business (Preparation of Reserves Estimates)    51
   H. Documents on display    Box: Documents on Display    2
   I. Subsidiary Information    Not applicable   
Item 11.    Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk    Risks (Disclosures About Market Risk)    34
Item 12.    Description of Securities other than Equity Securities      
   A. Debt Securities    Not applicable   
   B. Warrants and Rights    Not applicable   
   C. Other Securities    Not applicable   
   D. American Depositary Shares   

Shareholder Information (ADS Holders)

 

  

195

      PART II            
Item 13.    Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies    None   
Item 14.    Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds    None   
Item 15.    Controls and Procedures    Compliance and Internal Control    176
Item 16A.    Audit Committee Financial Expert    Management and Employees (Management - Statutory Board Committees)   

160

Item 16B.    Code of Ethics    Compliance and Internal Control    176
Item 16C.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services    Management and Employees (Management - Audit Committee -Principal Accountant Fees and Services)   

163

Item 16D.    Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees    Management and Employees (Management - Audit Committee)    162
Item 16E.    Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers    Shareholder Information (Additional Information for Foreign Shareholders—Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers    196
Item 16F.    Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant    Not applicable   
Item 16G.    Corporate Governance    Management and Employeess (Management - Comparison of our Corporate Governance Practices with NYSE Corporate Governance Requirements applicable to U.S. Companies)    164
Item 16H.    Mine Safety Disclosure    Not applicable   

 

238


Table of Contents

Form 20-F
Captions

  

Location in this Annual Report

  

Pages

      PART III            
Item 17.    Financial Statements    Not applicable   
Item 18.    Financial Statements    Financial Statements   

F-1

Item 19.    Exhibits    Exhibits    228
      Signatures    234
      Abbreviations    235
      Conversion Table    236
      Cross Reference to Form 20-F    237

 

239


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LOGO

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

 

Index

 

   LOGO

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Consolidated Financial Statements)

     F-3  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Internal Control Over Financial Reporting)

     F-7  

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     F-9  

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

     F-10  

Consolidated Statement of Income

     F-11  

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

     F-12  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

     F-13  

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

     F-14  

1.

  The Company and its operations      F-15  

2.

  Basis of preparation      F-15  

3.

  Summary of significant accounting policies      F-17  

4.

  Critical accounting policies: key estimates and judgments      F-17  

5.

  New standards and interpretations      F-23  

6.

  Capital Management      F-24  

7.

  Cash and cash equivalents and Marketable securities      F-24  

8.

  Sales revenues      F-25  

9.

  Costs and expenses by nature      F-28  

10.

 

Other income and expenses

     F-29  

11.

 

Net finance income (expense)

     F-29  

12.

 

Net income by operating segment

     F-30  

13.

 

Trade and other receivables

     F-34  

14.

 

Inventories

     F-37  

15.

 

Trade payables

     F-37  

16.

 

Taxes

     F-38  

17.

 

Short-term and other benefits

     F-44  

18.

 

Employee benefits (Post-Employment)

     F-45  

19.

 

Provisions for legal proceedings

     F-54  

20.

 

Provision for decommissioning costs

     F-62  

21.

 

The “Lava Jato (Car Wash) Operation” and its effects on the Company

     F-63  

22.

 

Commitment to purchase natural gas

     F-64  

23.

 

Property, plant and equipment

     F-65  

24.

 

Intangible assets

     F-68  

25.

 

Impairment

     F-70  

26.

 

Exploration and evaluation of oil and gas reserves

     F-79  

27.

 

Collateral for crude oil exploration concession agreements

     F-80  

28.

 

Joint ventures in E&P activities

     F-81  

29.

 

Investments

     F-84  

30.

 

Disposal of assets and other changes in organizational structure

     F-88  

31.

 

Assets by operating segment

     F-94  

32.

 

Finance debt

     F-95  

33.

 

Lease liabilities

     F-99  

34.

 

Equity

     F-100  

35.

 

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities

     F-104  

36.

 

Risk management

     F-104  

37.

 

Related-party transactions

     F-113  

38.

 

Supplemental information on statement of cash flows

     F-117  

39.

 

Information related to guaranteed securities issued by subsidiaries

     F-118  

 

F-2


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LOGO

KPMG Auditores Independentes

Rua do Passeio, 38 - Setor 2 - 17º andar - Centro

 

20021-290 - Rio de Janeiro/RJ - Brasil

Caixa Postal 2888 - CEP 20001-970 - Rio de Janeiro/RJ - Brasil

Telefone +55 (21) 2207-9400

kpmg.com.br

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras

Rio de Janeiro – RJ

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras and subsidiaries (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 20, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 2.3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for lease arrangements as of January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of IFRS 16 “Leases”.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

F-3


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LOGO

 

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Assessment of the valuation of the obligations for the defined benefit pension and health care plans

As discussed in notes 4.4 and 18 of the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019, the Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans and health care plans that provide supplementary retirement benefits and medical care to its employees. As of December 31, 2019, the obligations under these pension and health care plans were USD 26,494 million. The determination of the Company’s defined benefit pension and health care obligation with respect to these plans is dependent, in part, on the selection of certain actuarial assumptions. These assumptions include the discount rate and projected medical costs. The Company hires external actuaries to assist in the process of determining the actuarial assumptions and valuing the obligations under its pension and health care plans.

We identified the assessment of the valuation of the obligations for the defined benefit pension and health care plans as a critical audit matter because it required subjective auditor judgment. The discount rates and projected medical costs used to determine the obligations were challenging to audit as minor changes in these assumptions had a significant impact on the measurement of the obligations for the defined benefit pension and health care plans.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following:

 

   

we tested certain internal controls over the Company’s process for estimating the defined benefit pension and health care obligations. This included controls related to the development, review and approval of the discount rates and projected medical costs;

 

   

we evaluated the scope, competency, and objectivity of the external actuaries that the Company hired to assist in estimating the obligations for the defined benefit pension and health care plans. This included assessing the nature and scope of the work they were engaged to perform and their professional qualifications and experience; and

 

   

we involved actuarial professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in evaluating the Company’s discount rates and projected medical costs including by comparing them to external sources.

Evaluation of the impairment testing of exploration and production cash generating units (“CGUs”)

As discussed in notes 4.1(b), 4.2, 4.3 and 25 to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019, for the purposes of impairment testing, the Company identifies its cash generating units (“CGUs”), estimates the recoverable amount of these CGUs and compares this amount to their carrying value. The estimation of the recoverable amount is based on cash flow projections for the CGUs. The carrying value of the exploration and production CGUs as of December 31, 2019 was USD 106,189 million. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the amount of provision expense recognized in relation to the exploration and production CGUs was USD 2,499 million.

 

F-4


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LOGO

 

We identified the evaluation of the impairment testing of exploration and production CGUs as a critical audit matter because there is a high degree of complexity and subjectivity of auditor judgment involved in evaluating the Company’s definition of these CGUs and the estimate of the recoverable amount. The definition of exploration and production CGUs requires auditor judgment in the consideration of operational factors that impact the interdependencies between oil and gas assets. These interdependencies alter the aggregation or segregation of the oil and gas assets into CGUs. The cash flow projections used to determine the recoverable amount are dependent on certain assumptions including: average Brent oil price; exchange rate; capital and operating expenditure and volume and timing of recovery of the oil and gas reserves. The recoverable amount is also sensitive to minor changes in the discount rate. The assessment of these assumptions required significant auditor judgment.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following:

 

   

we tested certain internal controls over the Company’s impairment assessment process. These included controls related to the review and approval of the Company’s determination of the CGUs and of the key assumptions used to estimate the recoverable amount;

 

   

for changes in exploration and production CGUs during the year, we assessed the operational factors considered by the Company when defining these changes by comparing to information obtained from internal and external sources;

 

   

we evaluated the Company’s projected recovery of oil and gas reserves by comparing with volumes certified by external specialist hired by the Company and with historical production;

 

   

we evaluated future capital and operating expenditures by comparing to the latest approved business and management plan and long-term budgets; and

 

   

we evaluated the Company’s ability to accurately project cash flows by comparing the prior years’ estimated cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 with actual cash flows in this year.

In addition, we involved a valuation professional with specialized skill and knowledge, who assisted in evaluating key inputs used in the impairment testing such as the discount rates, average Brent oil prices and the exchange rates by comparing them against available external market data.

Evaluation of provisions and disclosures for certain specific labor, civil and tax lawsuits

As discussed in notes 4.5 and 19 to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019, the Company is involved in labor, civil and tax lawsuits during the normal course of its activities. The Company records provisions for these lawsuits when it is probable that an outflow of resource embodying economic benefits will be required to settle a present obligation and when the outflow can be reasonably estimated. The Company discloses a contingency whenever the likelihood of loss of the lawsuit is considered possible, or when the likelihood of loss is considered probable but it is not possible to reasonably estimate the amount of the outflow.

We identified the evaluation of certain specific legal proceedings and the related provisions recognized and/or disclosures made as a critical audit matter because it required challenging auditor judgment and effort due to the subjective nature of the estimates and assumptions. Specifically judgments about the likelihood of loss and estimates of the amounts that would be paid in the event of loss.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following:

 

   

we tested certain internal controls over the Company’s evaluation of lawsuits. These included controls related to the review and approval of the determination of the likelihood of loss and the estimate of the loss amount, as well as controls over the financial statement disclosures;

 

   

we evaluated the scope, competency, and objectivity of the internal and external legal counsel that determined the likelihood of loss and the estimate of the loss amount. This included assessing the nature and scope of the work they were engaged to perform and their professional qualifications and experience;

 

F-5


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LOGO

 

   

we obtained and evaluated letters received directly from the Company’s external legal counsel that included an assessment of the likelihood of loss and the estimate of the loss amount. For certain specific legal proceedings, we compared these assessments and estimates to those used by the Company and evaluated the sufficiency of the Company’s legal contingency disclosures; and

 

   

we evaluated the Company’s ability to accurately estimate amounts to be paid under lawsuits by comparing a sample of amounts paid upon resolution of legal proceedings during the year to the amounts provided for as of the prior year end.

Evaluation of the estimate of provision for decommissioning costs

As discussed in notes 4.1(c), 4.6 and 20 to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019, the provision for decommissioning costs reflects the obligation to restore the environment and dismantle and remove oil and gas production facilities upon abandonment. As of December 31, 2019, the Provision for decommissioning costs balance was USD17,460 million. The Company’s estimate of the provision for decommissioning costs includes assumptions in relation to the extent of the obligations assumed for environmental restoration and the dismantlement and removal of oil and gas production facilities as well as the cost and timing of this work.

We identified the evaluation of the estimate of the provision for decommissioning costs as a critical audit matter because of the subjective auditor judgment that is involved to evaluate the key assumptions used in the estimate such as the extent of the decommissioning work that will be required by contract and regulations and the criteria to be met when the decommissioning actually occurs and the costs and related timing of the future payments that will be incurred in the decommissioning process.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following:

 

   

we tested certain internal controls over the Company’s process to estimate the provision for decommissioning costs. This included controls relating to the development, review and approval of the key assumptions, including estimates of the timing of abandonment and estimated costs of decommissioning;

 

   

we assessed the estimates of timing until abandonment used by the Company, by comparing the production curves and life of the oil and gas reserves used with reserve volumes certified by external specialist hired by the Company;

 

   

we assessed the estimated costs of decommissioning by comparing with external industry reports;

 

   

we evaluated the scope, competency, and objectivity of the internal engineers that estimated the production curves and life of the oil and gas reserves and the external specialist hired by the Company that certified the reserve volumes. This included assessing the nature and scope of the work they were engaged to perform and their professional qualifications and experience;

 

   

we evaluated the Company´s ability to accurately forecast costs of decommissioning work, by comparing a sample of actual expenditure incurred with the decommissioning of oil and gas production facilities during the year to the Company´s forecasts of that expenditure in the prior year.

 

/s/ KPMG Auditores Independentes

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

KPMG Auditores Independentes

Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

February 19, 2020

 

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LOGO

 

KPMG Auditores Independentes

Rua do Passeio, 38 – Setor 2 – 17º andar – Centro

20021-290 – Rio de Janeiro/RJ – Brasil

Caixa Postal 2888 – CEP 20001-970 – Rio de Janeiro/RJ – Brasil

Telefone +55 (21) 2207-9400

kpmg.com.br

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras

Rio de Janeiro – RJ

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras and subsidiaries’ (“the Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated statement of financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”), and our report dated February 19, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

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Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ KPMG Auditores Independentes

KPMG Auditores Independentes

Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

March 20, 2020

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

   LOGO

 

 

 

Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing, adequately maintaining and assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Such internal control is a process designed by, or under the supervision of our CEO and CFO, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other employees.

The internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and of the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external purposes, in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB.

Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk of becoming inadequate because of changes in its conditions and assumptions.

Our management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 based on the criteria established in the guide called “Internal Controls — Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Audit of the Effectiveness of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our independent registered public accounting firm has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as stated in their report as of December 31, 2019, which is included herein.

Roberto Castello Branco

Chief Executive Officer

Andrea Marques de Almeida

Chief Financial Officer

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)   

 

Assets   Note     12.31.2019     12.31.2018  

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

    7.1       7,372       13,899  

Marketable securities

    7.2       888       1,083  

Trade and other receivables

    13.1       3,762       5,746  

Inventories

    14       8,189       8,987  

Recoverable income taxes

    16.1       2,493       739  

Other recoverable taxes

    16.1       1,051       1,296  

Escrow account - Class action agreement

    19.4       —         1,881  

Others

      1,493       1,485  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      25,248       35,116  

Assets classified as held for sale

    30       2,564       1,946  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      27,812       37,062  

Non-current assets

     

Long-term receivables

     

Trade and other receivables

    13.1       2,567       5,492  

Marketable securities

    7.2       58       53  

Judicial deposits

    19.2       8,236       6,711  

Deferred income taxes

    16.6       1,388       2,680  

Other tax assets

    16.1       3,939       3,540  

Advances to suppliers

      326       666  

Others

      1,177       2,917  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      17,691       22,059  

Investments

    29       5,499       2,759  

Property, plant and equipment

    23.1       159,265       157,383  

Intangible assets

    24.1       19,473       2,805  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      201,928       185,006  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

      229,740       222,068  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Liabilities    Note      12.31.2019     12.31.2018  
Current liabilities        

Trade payables

     15        5,601       6,327  

Finance debt

     32.1        4,469       3,667  

Lease liability

     33        5,737       23  

Income taxes payable

     16.1        276       211  

Other taxes payable

     16.1        3,424       3,556  

Dividends payable

     34.6        1,558       1,109  

Short-term benefits

     17        1,645       1,658  

Pension and medical benefits

     18        887       810  

Provisions for legal proceedings

     19.1        —         3,482  

Agreement with US Authorities

     21.1        —         783  

Others

        1,973       2,442  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        25,570       24,068  

Liabilities related to assets classified as held for sale

     30        3,246       983  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        28,816       25,051  
Non-current liabilities        

Finance debt

     32.1        58,791       80,508  

Lease liability

     33        18,124       162  

Income taxes payable

     16.1        504       552  

Deferred income taxes

     16.6        1,760       654  

Pension and medical benefits

     18        25,607       21,940  

Provisions for legal proceedings

     19.1        3,113       3,923  

Provision for decommissioning costs

     20        17,460       15,133  

Others

        1,350       970  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        126,709       123,842  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total liabilities         155,525       148,893  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity

       

Share capital (net of share issuance costs)

     34.1        107,101       107,101  

Capital reserve and capital transactions

        1,064       1,067  

Profit reserves

        65,627       58,161  

Accumulated other comprehensive (deficit)

        (100,469     (94,785
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to the shareholders of Petrobras

        73,323       71,544  

Non-controlling interests

     29.5        892       1,631  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        74,215       73,175  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total liabilities and equity         229,740       222,068  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

F-10


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Consolidated Statement of Income
Years ending December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)   

 

 

     Note      2019     2018
Reclassified
    2017
Reclassified
 

Sales revenues

     8.2        76,589       84,638       77,884  

Cost of sales

     9.1        (45,732     (52,184     (51,198
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

        30,857       32,454       26,686  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (expenses)

         

Selling expenses

     9.2        (4,476     (3,827     (3,614

General and administrative expenses

     9.3        (2,124     (2,239     (2,656

Exploration costs

     26        (799     (524     (800

Research and development expenses

        (576     (641     (572

Other taxes

        (619     (670     (1,789

Impairment of assets

     25        (2,848     (2,005     (1,191

Other income and expenses

     10        1,199       (5,760     (5,511
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        (10,243     (15,666     (16,133
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before finance income (expense), results in equity-accounted investments and income taxes

        20,614       16,788       10,553  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance income

        1,330       2,381       928  

Finance expenses

        (7,086     (5,675     (7,006

Foreign exchange gains (losses) and inflation indexation charges

        (3,008     (3,190     (3,641
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance income (expense)

     11        (8,764     (6,484     (9,719

Results of equity-accounted investments

     29.2        153       523       673  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income taxes

        12,003       10,827       1,507  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income taxes

     16.5        (4,200     (4,256     (1,697
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations for the year

        7,803       6,571       (190

Net income from discontinued operations for the year

     10.2        2,560       843       359  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income for the year

        10,363       7,414       169  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

        212       241       260  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

        143       (1     157  

Net income from discontinued operations

        69       242       103  

Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Petrobras

        10,151       7,173       (91
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

        7,660       6,572       (347

Net income from discontinued operations

        2,491       601       256  

Basic and diluted earnings per common and preferred share - in U.S. dollars

     34.7        0.78       0.55       (0.01

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-11


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras   LOGO
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Years ending December 31, 2019 and 2018
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

     2019     2018
Reclassified
    2017
Reclassified
 

Net income for the year

     10,363       7,414       169  

Items that will not be reclassified to the statement of income:

      

Actuarial gains (losses) on post-employment defined benefit plans

      

Recognized in equity

     (5,589     (3,130     1,908  

Deferred income tax

     1,491       (119     (273
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (4,098     (3,249     1,635  

Unrealized gains (losses) on equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

      

Recognized in equity

     —         (5     —    

Deferred income tax

     —         2       —    
     —         (3     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share of other comprehensive income (losses) in equity-accounted investments

     —         —         (1

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the statement of income:

      

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge - highly probable future exports

      

Recognized in equity

     (3,510     (8,950     (543

Reclassified to the statement of income

     3,136       3,315       3,154  

Deferred income tax

     126       1,916       (887
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (248     (3,719     1,724  

Cumulative translation adjustments (*)

      

Recognized in equity

     (1,465     (6,409     (851

Reclassified to the statement of income

     34       —         37  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (1,431     (6,409     (814

Share of other comprehensive income in equity-accounted investments

     69       (135     156  

Unrealized gains (losses) on equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

      

Recognized in equity

     —         —         15  

Deferred income tax

     —         —         (4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     —         —         11  

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge - others

      

Recognized in equity

     —         —         (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

     (5,708     (13,515     2,706  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

     4,655       (6,101     2,875  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests

     186       65       291  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Petrobras

     4,469       (6,166     2,584  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*)

It includes a US$ 131 loss (a US$ 236 loss in 2018 and a US$ 49 loss in 2017), of cumulative translation adjustments in associates and joint ventures.

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-12


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras   LOGO
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Years ending December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

     2019     2018
Reclassified
    2017
Reclassified
 

Cash flows from Operating activities

      

Net income for the year

     10,363       7,414       169  

Adjustments for:

      

Net income from discontinued operations

     (2,560     (843     (359

Pension and medical benefits (actuarial expense)

     2,086       2,018       2,569  

Results of equity-accounted investments

     (153     (523     (673

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     14,836       11,912       13,166  

Impairment of assets (reversal)

     2,848       2,005       1,191  

Allowance (reversals) for credit loss on trade and other receivables

     87       91       720  

Exploratory expenditure write-offs

     308       87       279  

Foreign exchange, indexation and finance charges

     8,460       7,941       9,413  

Deferred income taxes, net

     2,798       370       400  

Revision and unwinding of discount on the provision for decommissioning costs

     950       31       425  

Inventory write-down (write-back) to net realizable value

     15       421       66  

Provision for the class action agreement

     —         —         3,449  

Disposal/write-offs of assets, remeasurement of investment retained with loss of control and reclassification of CTA

     (6,012     (416     (1,656

Decrease (Increase) in assets

      

Trade and other receivables, net

     2,233       (1,535     (879

Inventories

     (281     (2,108     (171

Judicial deposits

     (2,144     (2,040     (1,669

Escrow account - Class action agreement

     1,819       (2,019     —    

Other assets

     (219     461       (126

Increase (Decrease) in liabilities

      

Trade payables

     (989     858       (121

Other taxes payable

     225       2,265       2,960  

Pension and medical benefits

     (1,882     (1,002     (876

Provisions for legal proceedings

     (3,767     1,686       305  

Short-term benefits

     185       529       (755

Provision for decommissioning costs

     (512     (500     (426

Agreement with US authorities

     (768     (85     —    

Other liabilities

     (319     996       83  

Income taxes paid

     (2,330     (2,567     (769
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

     25,277       25,447       26,715  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Discontinued operations – net cash provided by operating activities

     323       906       397  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     25,600       26,353       27,112  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from Investing activities

      

Acquisition of PP&E and intangibles assets (except for the Bidding for oil surplus of Transfer of rights agreement)

     (8,556     (11,905     (13,546

Bidding for oil surplus of Transfer of rights agreement

     (15,341     —         —    

Investments in investees

     (7     (44     (2,069

Proceeds from disposal of assets - Divestment

     10,413       5,791       3,087  

Reimbursement on the Transfer of rights agreement

     8,361       —         —    

Divestment (Investment) in marketable securities

     198       704       (861

Dividends received

     1,436       994       662  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations

     (3,496     (4,460     (12,727
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Discontinued operations – net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     1,812       (44     727  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,684     (4,504     (12,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from Financing activities

      

Investments by non-controlling interest

     (29     43       (797

Proceeds from financing

     7,464       10,707       27,075  

Repayment of finance debt - principal

     (27,273     (34,013     (33,618

Repayment of finance debt - interest

     (4,501     (5,703     (6,500

Repayment of lease liability - principal

     (5,207     —         —    

Dividends paid to Shareholders of Petrobras

     (1,877     (625     —    

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

     (138     (103     (167

Proceeds from sale of interest without loss of control

     —         —         1,511  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations

     (31,561     (29,694     (12,496
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Discontinued operations – net cash used in financing activities

     (508     (156     (1,177
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (32,069     (29,850     (13,673
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     1,631       (619     (125
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (6,522     (8,620     1,314  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

     13,899       22,519       21,205  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

     7,377       13,899       22,519  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-13


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras   LOGO
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Years ending December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

     Share capital (net
of share issuance
costs)
          Accumulated other comprehensive income (deficit)
and deemed cost
    Profit Reserves                          
     Share
Capital
     Share
issuance
costs
    Capital
reserve,
Capital
Transactions
and
Treasury
shares
    Cumulative
translation
adjustment
    Cash
flow
hedge -  
highly
probable
future
exports
    Actuarial
gains
(losses)
on
defined
benefit
pension
plans
    Other
comprehensive
income (loss)
and deemed
cost
    Legal
     Statutory      Tax
incentives
     Profit
retention
    Retained
earnings
    Equity
attributable
to
shareholders
of Petrobras
    Non-controlling
interests
    Total
consolidated
equity
 
     107,380        (279     628       (60,248     (11,297     (11,600     (948     7,919        2,182        720        42,322       —         76,779       771       77,550  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2017

        107,101       628             (84,093              53,143       —         76,779       771       77,550  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Realization of deemed cost

     —          —         —         —         —         —         (4     —          —          —          —         4       —         —         —    

Capital transactions

     —          —         439       —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —         —         439       792       1,231  

Net income

     —          —         —         —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —         (91     (91     260       169  

Other comprehensive income

     —          —         —         (795     1,724       1,585       161       —          —          —          —         —         2,675       31       2,706  

Appropriations:

                                  

Transfer to reserves

     —          —         —         —         —         —         —         —          —          —          (87     87       —         —         —    

Dividends

     —          —         —         —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —         —         —         (154     (154
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     107,380        (279     1,067       (61,043     (9,573     (10,015     (791     7,919        2,182        720        42,235       —         79,802       1,700       81,502  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

        107,101       1,067             (81,422              53,056       —         79,802       1,700       81,502  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Initial application of IFRS 9

                  (20                (222     (242     (15     (257
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     107,380        (279     1,067       (61,043     (9,573     (10,015     (811     7,919        2,182        720        42,235       (222     79,560       1,685       81,245  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2018

        107,101       1,067             (81,442              53,056       (222     79,560       1,685       81,245  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Realization of deemed cost

     —          —         —         —         —         —         (4     —          —          —          —         4       —         —         —    

Capital transactions

     —          —         2       —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —         —         2       115       117  

Net income

     —          —         —         —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —         7,173       7,173       241       7,414  

Other comprehensive income

     —          —         —         (6,273     (3,719     (3,209     (138     —          —          —          —         —         (13,339     (176     (13,515

Appropriations:

                                  

Transfer to reserves

     —          —         —         —         —         —         —         338        270        203        4,294       (5,105     —         —         —    

Dividends

     —          —         —         —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —         (1,850     (1,850     (234     (2,084
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     107,380        (279     1,067       (67,316     (13,292     (13,224     (953     8,257        2,452        923        46,529       —         71,544       1,631       73,175  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

        107,101       1,067             (94,785              58,161       —         71,544       1,631       73,175  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                                  
     107,380        (279     1,067       (67,316     (13,292     (13,224     (953     8,257        2,452        923        46,529       —         71,544       1,631       73,175  

Balance at December 31, 2018

        107,101       1,067             (94,785              58,161       —         71,544       1,631       73,175  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Realization of deemed cost

     —          —         —         —         —         —         (2     —          —          —          —         2       —         —         —    

Capital transactions

     —          —         (3     —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —         —         (3     (658     (661

Net income

     —          —         —         —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —         10,151       10,151       212       10,363  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     —          —         —         (1,405     (248     (4,098     69       —          —          —          —         —         (5,682     (26     (5,708

Appropriations:

                                  

Transfer to reserves

     —          —         —         —         —         —         —         488        250        179        6,549       (7,466     —         —         —    

Dividends

     —          —         —         —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —         (2,687     (2,687     (267     (2,954
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     107,380        (279     1,064       (68,721     (13,540     (17,322     (886     8,745        2,702        1,102        53,078       —         73,323       892       74,215  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

        107,101       1,064             (100,469              65,627       —         73,323       892       74,215  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-14


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

1.

The Company and its operations

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras), hereinafter referred to as “Petrobras” or “Company,” is a partially state-owned enterprise, controlled by the Brazilian Federal Government, of indefinite duration, governed by the terms and conditions under the Brazilian Corporate Law (Law 6,404 of December 15, 1976), Law 13,303 of June 30, 2016 and its Bylaws.

Petrobras’ shares are listed on the Brazilian stock exchange (B3) in the Level 2 Corporate Governance special listing segment and, therefore, the Company, its shareholders, its managers and fiscal council members are subject to provisions under its regulation (Level 2 Regulation - Regulamento de Listagem do Nível 2 de Governança Corporativa da Brasil Bolsa Balcão – B3). The provisions of the Level 2 Regulation, which are based on high standards of corporate governance, shall prevail over statutory provisions in the event of harm to the rights of public offers investors provided for in the Company’s Bylaws, except when otherwise determined by other regulation. On February 13, 2020, as requested, Petrobras had its disassociation from the B3 State-Owned Governance Program approved.

The Company is dedicated to prospecting, drilling, refining, processing, trading and transporting crude oil from producing onshore and offshore oil fields and from shale or other rocks, as well as oil products, natural gas and other liquid hydrocarbons. In addition, Petrobras carries out energy related activities, such as research, development, production, transport, distribution and trading of all forms of energy, as well as other related or similar activities.

Petrobras may perform any of the activities related to its corporate purpose, directly, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, controlled companies, alone or through joint ventures with third parties, in Brazil or abroad.

The economic activities linked to its business purpose shall be undertaken by the Company in free competition with other companies according to market conditions, in compliance with the other principles and guidelines of Laws no. 9,478/97 and 10,438/02 (oil & gas and electricity sector regulations, respectively). However, Petrobras may have its activities, provided they are in compliance with its corporate purpose, guided by the Brazilian Federal Government to contribute to the public interest that justified its creation, aiming to meet national energy policy objectives when:

I – established by law or regulation, as well as under agreements provisions with a public entity that is competent to establish such obligation, abiding with the broad publicly stated of such instruments; and

II – the cost and revenues thereof have been broken down and disseminated in a transparent manner.

In this case, the Company’s Investment Committee and Minority Shareholders Committee, exercising their advisory role to the Board of Directors, shall assess and measure the difference between such market conditions and the operating result or economic return of the transaction, based on technical and economic criteria for investment valuation and specific operating costs and results under the Company’s operations. In this case, for every financial year, the Brazilian Federal Government shall compensate the Company.

 

2.

Basis of preparation

2.1. Statement of compliance and authorization of financial statements

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared and are being presented in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except when otherwise indicated. The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of these financial statements are set out in their respective explanatory notes.

The preparation of the financial statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions which may affect the application of accounting policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Although our management periodically reviews these assumptions and judgments, the actual results could differ from these estimates. For further information on accounting estimates, see note 4.

As presented in note 30.2, with the additional sale of the Company’s interest in the subsidiary Petrobras Distribuidora (BR), carried out through a secondary public offering (follow-on), in July 2019, all requirements were met to classify this investment as a discontinued operation, in accordance with IFRS 5—Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, since it represented a separate major line of business. Thus, the consolidated statements of income and cash flows present net income, operating, investing and financing cash flows relating to this investment in separate line items, as a net result of discontinued operations. Additionally, the consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were adjusted in a similar manner.

 

F-15


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The annual consolidated financial statements were approved and authorized for issue by the Company’s Board of Directors in a meeting held on February 19, 2020.

2.2. Functional and presentation currency

The functional currency of Petrobras and all of its Brazilian subsidiaries is the Brazilian Real. The functional currency of the Petrobras direct subsidiaries that operate outside Brazil is the U.S. dollar.

Petrobras has selected the U.S. dollar as its presentation currency to facilitate a more direct comparison to other oil and gas companies. The financial statements have been translated from the functional currency (Brazilian real) into the presentation currency (U.S. dollar). All assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the closing exchange rate at the date of the financial statements; income and expenses, as well as cash flows are translated into U.S. dollars using the average exchange rates prevailing during the period. All exchange differences arising from the translation of the consolidated financial statements from the functional currency into the presentation currency are recognized as cumulative translation adjustments (CTA) within accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity.

 

Brazilian Real x U.S. Dollar    Dec 19      Sep 19      Jun 19      Mar 19      Dec 18      Sep 18      Jun 18      Mar 18      Dec 17      Sep 17      Jun 17      Mar 17  

Quarterly average exchange rate

     4.12        3.97        3.92        3.77        3.81        3.95        3.61        3.24        3.25        3.16        3.22        3.15  

Period-end exchange rate

     4.03        4.16        3.83        3.90        3.87        4.00        3.86        3.32        3.31        3.17        3.31        3.17  

2.3. Initial adoption of new accounting standards

At January 1, 2019, the Company adopted IFRS 16 – Leases. A number of other new standards are also effective from January 1, 2019 but they do not have material effect on the Company´s financial statements.

2.3.1. IFRS 16 – Leases

Among the changes arising from IFRS 16, this standard eliminated the classification of leases as either operating or finance leases for lessees, providing for a single lessee accounting model in which all leases result in the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. For more information regarding the effects of the adoption of IFRS 16, see notes 10, 21 and 31.

Following the adoption of IFRS 16, lease payments under operating leases are not charged to operating results on accrual basis. Instead, depreciation of the right to use a leased asset, as well as the finance expenses and foreign exchange gains or losses over the lease liability, affect the results.

In the statement of cash flows, the lease payments previously presented within Cash flows from operating and investing activities are presented from 2019 onwards as Cash flows from financing activities (US$ 5,207 in 2019), comprising the settlement of lease liabilities. However, such change does not affect the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance.

According to the transition provisions set forth in IFRS 16, the Company applied this standard retrospectively with the cumulative effect of its initial application recognized at January 1, 2019, without restatement of prior period information, and the following practical expedients were chosen:

 

a)

Application of this standard to contracts that were previously identified as leases (note 18.2 to the Company’s audited financial statements ended December 31, 2018);

 

b)

Lease liabilities measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, net of applicable recoverable taxes, discounted by the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application;

 

c)

Recognition of right-of-use assets at an amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments relating to that lease recognized in the statement of financial position immediately before the date of initial application, excluding initial direct costs.

The Company applies the short-term lease exemption and recognizes payments associated with such leases as expenses over the term of the arrangements.

 

F-16


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

At January 1, 2019, the Company accounted for right-of-use assets and lease liabilities at the same amount (US$ 26,575) and, as a result, the impacts arising from the initial application of this standard did not affect equity. The right-of-use assets are presented as Property, Plant and Equipment (PP&E), and the lease liabilities are presented as a separate line item in the statement of financial position.

 

Right-of-use by underlying asset at January 1, 2019

  

Oil and gas producing units

     12,925  

Vessels

     11,996  

Lands and buildings

     1,011  

Others

     643  
  

 

 

 

Total

     26,575  
  

 

 

 

The incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application was 6.06%.

Reconciliation between operating lease commitments disclosed as of December 31, 2018 and lease liabilities recognized at the date of initial application is presented below:

 

Commitment to operating lease as of December 31, 2018

     95,379  
  

 

 

 

Commitments for which lease terms have not commenced

     (54,825

Discount

     (9,980

Short-term leases and others

     (3,999
  

 

 

 

Initial application

     26,575  
  

 

 

 

Finance lease (IAS 17) recognized at December 31, 2018

     185  
  

 

 

 

Lease liability at January 1, 2019

     26,760  
  

 

 

 

The changes arising from the adoption of IFRS 16 did not impact the Company’s business practice and there was no need to renegotiate covenant clauses in finance debts.

2.4. Order of presentation of the explanatory notes

As recommended in the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting, the expectations of users of financial statements regarding the Company’s returns depend on their assessment of the amount, timing and uncertainty of (the prospects for) future net cash inflows to the entity and on their assessment of management’s stewardships of the entity’s economic resources.

Thus, we promoted a change in the order of the explanatory notes in order to align the Company’s financial statements with the users’ view, in addition to emphasizing the importance of the Company’s Strategic Management.

Thus, after the explanatory notes presenting the Company and its operations, and those related to the conceptual structure applied in the preparation of the financial statements, it begins with the explanatory note on Capital Management, followed by the other notes, following primarily the groupings of cash flow statement activities.

 

3.

Summary of significant accounting policies

The accounting policies used in the preparation of the annual financial statements of the Company, for the year ended December 31, 2019, are set out at the end of each explanatory note, consistently with those adopted and disclosed in the financial statements of the previous years, except for the changes arising from the adoption of IFRS 16 – Leases and IFRIC 23—Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments, which became effective on January 1, 2019.

 

4.

Critical accounting policies: key estimates and judgments

The preparation of the consolidated financial information requires the use of estimates and judgments for certain transactions and their impacts on assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The assumptions are based on past transactions and other relevant information and are periodically reviewed by management, although the actual results could differ from these estimates.

Information about those areas that require significant judgment or involve a higher degree of complexity in the application of the accounting policies and that could materially affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is set out as follows.

4.1. Oil and gas reserves

Oil and gas reserves are estimated based on economic, geological and engineering information, such as well logs, pressure data and drilling fluid sample data and are used as the basis for calculating unit-of-production depreciation, depletion and amortization rates, impairment testing, decommissioning costs estimates and for projections of high probable future exports subject to cash flow hedge.

 

F-17


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

These estimates require the application of judgment and are reviewed at least annually based on a re-evaluation of already available geological, reservoir or production data and new geological, reservoir or production data, as well as changes in prices and costs that are used in the estimation of reserves. Revisions can also result from significant changes in the Company’s development strategy or in the production capacity.

The Company determines its oil and gas reserves both pursuant to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - SEC and the ANP/SPE (Brazilian Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels / Society of Petroleum Engineers) criteria. The main differences between the two criteria are: selling price of crude oil (ANP/SPE establishes the use of the Company’s forecasted price, while SEC determines the use of an average price considering each first day of the last 12 months); concession period (ANP permission for the use of reserve quantities after the concession period). Additionally, pursuant to the SEC criteria, only proved reserves are determined, while proved and unproved reserves are determined pursuant to the ANP/SPE criteria.

According to the definitions prescribed by the SEC, proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas which, by analysis of geoscientific and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulation. Proved reserves are subdivided into developed and undeveloped reserves.

Proved developed oil and gas reserves are those that can be expected to be recovered through: (i) existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods; (ii) extraction technology installed and operational at the time of the reserves estimate, extracting oil and gas in other ways than using wells.

Although the Company is reasonably certain that proved reserves will be produced, the timing and amount recovered can be affected by a number of factors including completion of development projects, reservoir performance, regulatory aspects and significant changes in long-term oil and gas price levels.

Detailed information on reserves is presented as unaudited supplementary information.

 

a)

Impacts of oil and gas reserves on depreciation, depletion and amortization

Depreciation, depletion and amortization are measured based on estimates of reserves prepared by the Company’s technicians in a manner consistent with SEC definitions. Reviews to the Company’s proved developed and undeveloped reserves impact prospectively the amounts of depreciation, depletion and amortization recognized in the statement of income and the carrying amounts of oil and gas properties assets.

Therefore, considering all other variables being constant, a decrease in estimated proved reserves would increase, prospectively, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, while an increase in reserves would reduce depreciation, depletion and amortization.

Note 23 provides more detailed information on depreciation, amortization and depletion.

 

b)

Impacts of oil and gas reserves on impairment testing

The Company assesses the recoverability of the carrying amounts of oil and gas exploration and development assets annually, regardless of any absence of impairment indication. The measurement of their value in use is based on proved and probable reserves pursuant to the ANP/SPE definitions. Note 4.2 provides further information on other assumptions used in impairment testing.

 

c)

Impacts of oil and gas reserves on decommissioning costs estimates

The timing of abandonment and dismantling areas is based on the length of reserves depletion, in accordance with ANP/SPE definitions. Therefore, the review of the timing of reserves depletion may impact the provision for decommissioning cost estimates. Note 4.6 provides further information on other assumptions used in estimating the provision for decommissioning costs.

 

d)

Impacts of oil and gas reserves on highly probable future exports subject to cash flow hedge accounting

The Company estimates highly probable future exports in accordance with future exports forecasted in the scope of its Strategic Plan projections, which are driven by proved and probable reserves estimates. Changes in such estimates may impact future exports forecasts and, consequently, hedge relationship designations may also be impacted. Note 4.8 provides further information on other assumptions used in determining highly probably future exports.

 

F-18


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

4.2. Main assumptions for impairment testing

Impairment testing involves uncertainties mainly related to its key assumptions: average Brent prices and Brazilian real/U.S. dollar average exchange rate. These assumptions are relevant to virtually all of the Company’s operating segments and a significant number of interdependent variables are derived from these key assumptions and there is a high degree of complexity in their application in determining value in use for impairment tests.

The markets for crude oil and natural gas have a history of significant price volatility and although prices can drop precipitously, industry prices over the long term tends to continue being driven by market supply and demand fundamentals.

Projections relating to the key assumptions are derived from the Strategic Plan for the first five years and consistent with the Strategic Plan for the following years. These assumptions are consistent with market evidence, such as independent macro-economic forecasts, industry commentators and experts. Back testing analysis and feedback process in order to continually improve forecast techniques are also performed.

The Company’s oil price forecast model is based on a nonlinear relationship between variables reflecting market supply and demand fundamentals. This model also takes into account other relevant factors, such as historical idle capacity, industry costs, oil and gas production forecasted by specialized firms, the relationship between the oil price and the U.S. dollar exchange rate, as well as the impact of OPEC on the oil market.

The Real/U.S. dollar exchange rate projections are based on econometric models that take into account long-term assumptions involving observable inputs, such as country risk, commodity prices, interest rates and the value of the U.S. Dollar relative to a basket of foreign currencies (U.S. Dollar Index – USDX).

Changes in the economic environment may result in changing assumptions and, consequently, the recognition of impairment charges on certain assets or CGUs. For example, the Brent price directly impacts the Company’s sales revenue and refining margins, while the Brazilian real/U.S. dollar exchange rate mainly impacts our capital and operating expenditures.

Changes in the economic and political environment may also result in higher country risk projections that would increase discount rates for impairment testing.

In addition, changes in reserve volumes, production curve expectations and lifting costs could trigger the need for impairment assessment, as well as capital expenditure decisions, which are also affected by the Company’s plan to reduce its leverage, may result in postponement or termination of projects, reducing their economic feasibility.

The recoverable amount of certain assets may not substantially exceed their carrying amounts and, therefore, it is reasonably possible that outcomes in future periods that are different from the current assumptions may result in the recognition of additional impairment charges on these assets, as described in note 25.1.1.

4.3. Identifying cash-generating units for impairment testing

Identifying cash-generating units (CGUs) requires management assumptions and judgment, based on the Company’s business and management model. Changes in the aggregation of assets into CGUs may occur due to a review of investment, strategic or operational factors, which could result in changes in the interdependencies between those assets and, consequently, alter the aggregation or breakdown of assets into CGUs. Therefore, this change could result in additional impairment charges or reversals. The primary considerations in relation to identifying the CGUs are set out below:

 

a)

Exploration and Production CGUs:

i) Crude oil and natural gas producing properties CGU: comprises exploration and development assets related to crude oil and natural gas fields and groups of fields in Brazil and abroad. At December 31, 2019, Exploration and Production CGUs had 124 fields and 41 groups. Changes in the aggregation of CGUs are presented in note 25.

ii) Drilling rigs are not part of any CGU and are assessed for impairment separately.

 

b)

Refining, transportation and marketing CGUs:

i) Downstream CGU: comprises refineries and associated assets, terminals and pipelines, as well as logistics assets operated by Transpetro, with a combined and centralized operation of logistical and refining assets in Brazil. These assets are managed with a common goal of achieving efficiency, profitability and strategic value long term on a nationwide basis. They are not operated for the generation of

 

F-19


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

profit by asset/location. The operational planning is made in a centralized manner and these assets are not managed, measured or evaluated by their individual results. The refineries do not have autonomy to choose the oil to be processed, the mix of oil products to produce, the markets in which these products will be traded, which amounts will be exported, which intermediaries will be received and to decide the sales prices of oil products. The operational decisions are analyzed through an integrated model of operational planning for market supply. This model evaluates the solutions to supply the market considering all the options for production, importing, exporting, logistics and inventories seeking a comprehensive optimum of Petrobras and not the profit of each unit. The decision regarding a new investment is not based on the profitability of the project for the asset where it will be installed, but for the Petrobras Group. The model in which the entire planning is based, used in the studies of technical and economic feasibility of new investments in refining, may, in its indications, allocate a lower economic kind of oil to a certain refinery or define a lower economic mix of products to it, or even force it to supply more distant markets (area of influence), leading it to operate with reduced margins if seen individually, in case this is the best for the integrated system as a whole. Pipelines and terminals are an integral part and interdependent portion of the refining assets, required to supply the market.

ii) CGU Comperj – comprises assets under construction of the first refining unit of Petrochemical Complex of Rio de Janeiro;

iii) CGU Second Refining Unit of RNEST – comprises assets under construction of the second refining unit of Abreu e Lima refinery;

iv) Transportation CGU: comprises assets relating to Transpetro’s fleet of vessels;

v) PANAMAX CGU: comprises three Panamax class vessels under construction (EI-512, EI-513 and EI-514);

vi) Hidrovia CGU: comprises the fleet of vessels under construction of the Hidrovia project (transportation of ethanol along the Tietê River);    

vii) SIX CGU: shale processing plant; and

viii) Other operations abroad defined as the smallest group of assets that generates independent cash flows.

 

c)

Gas & Power CGUs:

i) Natural gas CGU: comprises natural gas pipelines, natural gas processing plants, consolidating the purchase, transportation and treatment of natural gas businesses, in order to enable the commercialization of natural gas and its liquids (LPG, NGL and ethane);

ii) CGU nitrogen fertilizer plants: the nitrogen fertilizer plants have been assessed for impairment separately;

iii) Power CGU: comprises the thermoelectric power generation plants;

iv) Fafens CGUs: The fertilizer plants Fafen BA and Fafen SE have been assessed for impairment separately since 2017;

v) Other CGUs: operations abroad defined as the smallest group of assets that generates largely independent cash flows.

 

d)

Biofuels business CGUs:

i) Biodiesel CGU: an integrated unit of biodiesel plants defined based on the production planning and operation process, that takes into consideration domestic market conditions, the production capacity of each plant, as well as the results of biofuels auctions and raw materials supply.

ii) Quixadá CGU: comprises the assets of Quixadá Biofuel Plant. This plant is assessed for impairment separately due to the decision to discontinue its operations.

Investments in associates and joint ventures, including goodwill, are assessed for impairment separately.

Further information on impairment testing is set out in note 25.

 

F-20


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

4.4. Pension and other post-retirement benefits

The actuarial obligations and net expenses related to defined benefit pension and health care post-retirement plans are computed based on several financial and demographic assumptions, of which the most significant are:

 

   

Discount rate: comprises the projected future inflation in addition to an equivalent real interest rate that matches the duration of the pension and health care obligations with the future yield curve of long-term Brazilian Government Bonds; and

 

   

Medical costs: comprise the projected growth rates based on per capita health care benefits paid over the last five years, which are used as a basis for projections, converged to the general price inflation index within 30 years.

These and other estimates are reviewed at least annually and may differ materially from actual results due to changing market and financial conditions, as well as actual results of actuarial assumptions.

The sensitivity analysis of discount rates and changes in medical costs as well as additional information about actuarial assumptions are set out in note 18.

4.5. Estimates related to contingencies and legal proceedings

The Company is defendant in arbitrations and in legal and administrative proceedings involving civil, tax, labor and environmental issues arising from the normal course of its business, and makes use of estimates to recognize the amounts and the probability of outflow of resources, based on reports and technical assessments from legal advisors and on management’s assessment.

These estimates are performed individually, or aggregated if there are cases with similar characteristics, primarily considering factors such as assessment of the plaintiff’s demands, consistency of the existing evidence, jurisprudence on similar cases and doctrine on the subject. Specifically for lawsuits by outsourced employees, the Company estimates the expected loss based on a statistical procedure, due to the number of actions with similar characteristics.

Arbitral, legal and administrative decisions against the Company, new jurisprudence and changes of existing evidence can result in changes regarding the probability of outflow of resources and on the estimated amounts, according to the assessment of the legal basis.

Note 19 provides further detailed information about contingencies and legal proceedings.

4.6. Decommissioning costs estimates

The Company has legal and constructive obligations to remove equipment and restore onshore and offshore areas at the end of operations. Its most significant asset removal obligations involve removal and disposal of offshore oil and gas production facilities in Brazil and abroad. Estimates of costs for future environmental cleanup and remediation activities are based on current information about costs and expected plans for remediation. The recognition of these obligations must be at present value, using a risk-free discount rate, adjusted to the Company’s credit risk. Due to the long term until the abandonment, changes in the discount rate can cause significant variations in the recognized amount.

These estimates require performing complex calculations that involve significant judgment since: i) the obligations are long-term; ii)the contracts and regulations contain subjective definitions of the removal and remediation practices and criteria involved when the events actually occur; and iii) asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, along with regulations, environmental, safety and public relations considerations.

The Company conducts studies to incorporate technologies and procedures to optimize the process of abandonment, considering industry best practices. However, the timing and amounts of future cash flows are subject to significant uncertainty.

Note 20 provides further detailed information about the decommissioning provisions.

4.7. Deferred income taxes

The recognition of deferred taxes involves significant estimates and judgments by the Company. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which a deductible temporary difference can be utilized or it is probable that the entity will have sufficient taxable profit in future periods. In evaluating whether it will have sufficient taxable profit in future periods to support the recognition of deferred tax assets, the Company uses future projections and estimates based on its Strategic Plan, which is approved by the Board of Directors annually. Future taxable profits projections are mainly based on the following assumptions: i) Brent crude oil prices; ii) foreign exchange rates; and iii) the Company’s projected net finance expenses (income).

Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented in note 16.6.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

4.8. Cash flow hedge accounting involving the Company’s future exports

The Company determines its future exports as “highly probable future exports” based on its current Strategic Plan. The highly probable future exports are determined by a percentage of projected exports revenue over the mid and long term, taking into account the Company’s operational and capital expenditure optimization model, limited to a threshold based on a historical percentage of the oil production that is usually sold abroad. Future exports forecasts are reviewed whenever the Company reviews its Strategic Plan assumptions. The approach for determining exports as highly probable future exports is reviewed annually, at least.

See note 36.2 for more detailed information about cash flow hedge accounting and a sensitivity analysis of the cash flow hedge involving future exports.

4.9. Write-off – overpayments incorrectly capitalized

As described in note 21, in the third quarter of 2014, the Company developed an estimation methodology and wrote off US$2,527 of capitalized costs representing the estimated amounts that Petrobras had overpaid for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment.

The Company has continuously monitored the results of the Lava Jato investigation and the availability of other information related to the scheme of improper payments. In preparing the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company has not identified any additional information that would impact the adopted calculation methodology and consequently require additional write-offs.

4.10. Expected credit losses on financial assets

Expected credit losses on financial assets are based on assumptions relating to risk of default, the determination of whether or not there has been a significant increase in credit risk and expectation of recovery, among others. The Company uses judgment for such assumptions in addition to information from credit rating agencies and inputs based on collection delays.

4.11. Leases

The Company uses incremental borrowing rates to determine the present value of the lease payments, when the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be readily determined. The incremental borrowing rates used to determine the present value of the remaining lease payments were determined mainly based on the Company’s cost of funding based on yields of bonds issued by the Company, adjusted by terms and currency of the lease arrangements, economic environment of the country where the lessee operates and similar collaterals.

4.12. Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

Uncertainties over income tax treatments represent the risks that the tax authority does not accept a certain tax treatment applied by the Company. The Company estimates the probability of acceptance of an uncertain tax treatment by the tax authority based on technical assessments by its legal advisors, considering precedent jurisprudence applicable to current tax legislation, which may be impacted mainly by changes in tax rules or court decisions which may affect the analysis of the fundamentals of uncertainty.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

5.

New standards and interpretations

5.1. New International Financial Reporting Standards not yet adopted

 

Standard

  

Descrição

  

Effective on

Definition of a Business – Amendments to IFRS 3    This amended IFRS 3 to narrow and clarify the definition of a business, and to permit a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets is a group of assets rather than a business.    January 1, 2020, prospective application.
Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Amendments to IFRS 9, IFRS 7 and IAS 39    Amendments to IFRS 9-Financial Instruments, IFRS 7-Financial Instruments: Disclosures, and IAS 39-Financial instruments: recognition and measurement, in order to include temporary exceptions to current hedge accounting requirements, to offset the effects of uncertainties caused by the interest rate benchmark reform, relating to the transition to the Interbank Offered Rate (IBOR) recommended by the Financial Stability Board (FSB).    January 1, 2020, retrospective application.
Definition of Material – Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8    Amendments to IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 - Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors, updating the definition of “material” in order to establish that information is material if its omission, distortion or obscurity can reasonably influence the decision making of the primary users of the financial statements.    January 1, 2020, prospective application.
IFRS 17 – Insurance Contracts    IFRS 4 – Insurance Contracts will be superseded by IFRS 17, which stablishes the requirements to be applied in the recognition and disclosure of insurance and reinsurance contracts.    January 1, 2021, prospective application.

As for the amendments listed above, the Company estimates no impact arising from the initial application on its consolidated financial statements. In relation to IFRS 17 - Insurance Contracts, the Company is evaluating the applicability on the financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

6.

Capital Management

The Company’s objectives in its capital management is to achieve an adequate level of return on its capital structure in order to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, adding value to its shareholders and investors. Its main sources of funding have been cash provided by its operating activities and divestments.

In 2019, the Company reported earnings per share of US$ 0.78 (US$ 0.55 in 2018) and is proposing to the Shareholder’s General Meeting the distribution of dividends of US$ 0.2320 (US$ 0.2397 in 2018) per preferred share and US$ 0.1864 (US$ 0.0681 in 2018) per common shares and, as detailed in note 34.

In line with the assumptions in the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, the Company does not foresee net proceeds from financing over the next five years. However, the Company has continually assessed options of funding following its liability management strategy, aiming at improving its debt repayment profile and achieving a lower cost of its debt along with an indebtedness level matching the capital expenditures. Currently, the average repayment term is 10.80 years (9.14 years as of December 31, 2018).

As a part of the financing planning, the Company expects to raise funds by means of its partnership and divestment program outlined by its portfolio management.

 

7.

Cash and cash equivalents and Marketable securities

7.1. Cash and cash equivalents

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Cash at bank and in hand

     572        863  

Short-term financial investments

     

- In Brazil

     

Brazilian interbank deposit rate investment funds and other short-term deposits

     1,699        1,875  

Other investment funds

     4        12  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,703        1,887  

- Abroad

     

Time deposits

     7        3,823  

Automatic investing accounts and interest checking accounts

     4,620        6,708  

Other financial investments

     470        618  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     5,097        11,149  

Total short-term financial investments

     6,800        13,036  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

     7,372        13,899  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Short-term financial investments in Brazil primarily consist of investments in funds holding Brazilian Federal Government Bonds that can be redeemed immediately, as well as reverse repurchase agreements that mature within three months as of the date of their acquisition. Short-term financial investments abroad comprise highly-liquid automatic investment accounts, interest checking accounts and other short-term fixed income instruments.

The principal uses of funds in the year ended December 31, 2019 were for debt service obligations, including pre-payment of debts and lease payments (US$ 36,981) and acquisition of PP&E and intangibles assets, including the bidding for oil surplus of the Transfer of Rights Agreement (US$ 23,897). These funds were principally provided by operating activities (US$ 25,373), disposal of assets (US$ 10,413), reimbursement on the Transfer of Rights Agreement (US$ 8,361) and proceeds from financing (US$ 7,464).    

The Company uses revolving credit facilities, which allowed the reduction in cash and cash equivalents without compromising the Company’s liquidity. For additional information, see note 32.4.

7.1.1. Accounting Policy

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, term deposits with banks and short-term highly-liquid financial investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash, are subject to insignificant risk of changes in value and have a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

7.2. Marketable securities

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  
     In Brazil      Abroad      Total      In Brazil      Abroad      Total  

Fair value through profit or loss

     875        —          875        1,083        —          1,083  

Fair value through other comprehensive income

     7        —          7        8        —          8  

Amortized cost

     45        19        64        45        —          45  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     927        19        946        1,136        —          1,136  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current

     875        13        888        1,083        —          1,083  

Non-current

     52        6        58        53        —          53  

Marketable securities classified as fair value through profit or loss refer mainly to investments in Brazilian Federal Government Bonds. These financial investments have maturities of more than three months and are generally classified as current assets due to their maturity or the expectation of their realization in the short term.

7.2.1. Accounting Policy

Marketable securities are initially measured at fair value and their subsequent measurement depends on their classification:

 

   

Amortized cost: when the contractual terms of the security give rise on specified dates to cash flows arising from payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding, and the business model’s objective is to hold the security in order to collect contractual cash flows. The interest income is based on the effective interest method.

 

   

Fair value through other comprehensive income: equity instruments not held for trading purposes for which the Company has made an irrevocable election in their initial recognition to present changes in fair value in other comprehensive income rather than within profit or loss;

 

   

Fair value through profit or loss: if the marketable security do not meet the criteria for the two aforementioned categories.

 

8.

Sales revenues

8.1. Revenues from contracts with customers

As an integrated energy company, revenues from contracts with customers derive from different products sold by the Company’s operating segments, taking into consideration specific characteristics of the markets where they operate. For additional information about the operating segments of the Company, its activities and its respective products sold, see note 12.

The determination of transaction prices derives from methodologies and policies based on the parameters of these markets, reflecting operating risks, level of market share, changes in exchange rates and international commodity prices, including Brent oil prices, oil products such as diesel and gasoline, and the Henry Hub Index.

Revenues from sales are recognized at the moment the control is transferred to the client, that occurs upon delivery at the contractual agreed place or when the service is provided. Generally, prices for products and services are fixed prior to or shortly after delivery. Therefore, no significant changes in transactions prices are expected to be recognized in periods after the satisfaction of the performance obligations, except for some exports in which final prices are linked to changes in commodity price after their transfer of control. Sales proceeds are generally collected in the short-term, thus there are no significant financing components.

In addition, the Company acts as an agent in the biofuel business, where there is no control of the biodiesel purchased from the producers and sold to distributors at any time during the sale operation. Those revenues totaled US$ 46 in 2019.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

8.2. Net sales revenues

 

     2019      2018
Reclassifed
     2017
Reclassifed
 

Diesel

     23,007        23,450        19,642  

Diesel subsidy

     —          1,415        —    

Gasoline

     9,810        11,690        12,231  

Liquefied petroleum gas

     4,159        4,490        3,999  

Jet fuel

     3,832        4,208        3,264  

Naphtha

     1,669        2,455        2,637  

Fuel oil (including bunker fuel)

     1,026        1,233        1,419  

Other oil products

     3,410        3,769        3,258  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal oil products

     46,913        52,710        46,450  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Natural gas

     5,929        5,425        5,001  

Renewables and nitrogen products

     245        366        3,498  

Breakage

     645        687        —    

Electricity

     1,322        2,027        3,616  

Services, agency and others

     940        1,370        1,223  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Domestic market

     55,994        62,585        59,788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exports

     18,085        15,413        12,677  

Sales abroad (*)

     2,510        6,640        5,419  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Foreign market

     20,595        22,053        18,096  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sales revenues

     76,589        84,638        77,884  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Sales revenues from operations outside of Brazil, including trading and excluding exports.

Following the reduction of the investment in BR Distribuidora on July 25, 2019, this company became a non-consolidated entity. Hence, sales to this associate represent more than 10% of the Company sales revenues, mainly associated with the refining, transportation and marketing segment.

8.3. Remaining performance obligations

The company has current sales contracts with original expected duration of more than 1 year, in which volumes of goods or services for future sales are determined with their respective payment terms.

The estimated remaining values of these contracts at the end of 2019 presented below are based on volumes of goods and services for future sales, as well as prices prevailing at December 31, 2019 or practiced in recent sales when they reflect the more directly observable information:

 

     Total      Expected
recognition within
1 year
 

Domestic market

     

Gasoline

     3,853        3,853  

Diesel

     6,538        6,538  

Natural gas

     15,929        4,714  

Services and others

     5,722        1,542  

Naphtha

     3,722        3,722  

Electricity

     4,286        718  

Other oil products

     45        45  

Jet fuel

     943        943  

Foreign market

     

Exports

     18,465        2,655  

Sales abroad

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     59,503        24,730  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The revenues will be recognized once goods are transferred and services are provided to the customers and their measurement and timing of recognition will be subject to future demands, changes in commodities prices, exchange rates and other market factors.

 

F-26


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The table above does not include information on contracts with original expected duration of one year or less, such as spot-market contracts, variable considerations which are constrained, and information on contracts only establishing general terms and conditions (Master Agreements), for which volumes and prices will only be defined in subsequent contracts.

In addition, electricity sales are manly driven by demands to generate electricity from thermoelectric power plants, according the Brazilian National Electric System Operator (ONS) requests. These requests are substantially affected by Brazilian hydrological conditions, thus, the table above presents fixed amounts representing sales of certified capacity in accordance with the installed capacity of the Company.

8.4. Contract liabilities

The balance of contract liabilities carried on the statement of financial position at December 31, 2019 amounted to US$ 128 (US$ 245 at December 31, 2018). This amount is classified as other current liabilities and primarily comprises advances from customers in take and ship or pay contracts, that, will be recognized as revenue based on future sales of natural gas or following the non-exercise of the right by the customer.

8.5. Accounting policy for revenues

The Company evaluates contracts with customers that will be subject to revenue recognition and identifies the distinct goods and services promised in each of them.

Performance obligations are promises to transfer to the customer goods or services (or a bundle of goods or services) that are distinct, or series of distinct goods or services that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer to the customer.

Revenues are measured based on the amount of consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer, excluding amounts collected on behalf of third parties. Transaction prices are based on contractually stated prices, reflecting the Company’s pricing methodologies and policies based on market parameters.

When transferring a good, that is, when the customer obtains its control, the company satisfies the performance obligation and recognizes the respective revenue, which usually occurs at a point in time upon delivery.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

9.

Costs and expenses by nature

9.1. Cost of sales

 

     2019      2018
Reclassified
     2017
Reclassified
 
     Jan-Dec      Jan-Dec      Jan-Dec  

Raw material, products for resale, materials and third-party services (*)

     (20,694      (26,810      (27,388

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (12,036      (10,954      (12,309

Production taxes

     (9,741      (10,905      (7,895

Employee compensation

     (3,261      (3,515      (3,606
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     (45,732      (52,184      (51,198
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

It Includes short-term leases and inventory turnover.

9.2. Selling expenses

 

     2019      2018
Reclassified
     2017
Reclassified
 
     Jan-Dec      Jan-Dec      Jan-Dec  

Materials, third-party services, rent and other related costs

     (3,664      (3,445      (3,033

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (549      (145      (75

Allowance for expected credit losses

     (49      (32      (288

Employee compensation

     (214      (205      (218
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     (4,476      (3,827      (3,614
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

9.3. General and administrative expenses

 

     2019      2018
Reclassified
     2017
Reclassified
 
     Jan-Dec      Jan-Dec      Jan-Dec  

Employee compensation

     (1,427      (1,500      (1,605

Materials, third-party services, freight, rent and other related costs

     (539      (626      (911

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (158      (113      (140
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     (2,124      (2,239      (2,656
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-28


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

10.

Other income and expenses

 

     2019      2018
Reclassified
     2017
Reclassified
 

Gains / (losses) related to legal, administrative and arbitration proceedings

     (1,520      (2,283      (861

Pension and medical benefits - retirees

     (1,371      (1,401      (1,791

Unscheduled stoppages and pre-operating expenses

     (1,321      (1,282      (1,598

Variable compensation program

     (643      (265      —    

Gains/(losses) with Commodities Derivatives

     (370      (416      —    

Voluntary Separation Plan - PDV

     (198      2        —    

Profit sharing

     (43      (442      (145

Employee Career and Compensation Plan - PCR

     (2      (293      —    

Agreement with US Authorities

     —          (895      —    

Institutional relations and cultural projects

     (180      (178      (208

Operating expenses with thermoelectric power plants

     (128      (107      (67

Government grants

     238        248        91  

Results on disposal/write-offs of assets and on remeasurement of investment retained with loss of control

     6,046        416        1,725  

Expenses/Reimbursements from E&P partnership operations

     383        331        372  

Amounts recovered from Lava Jato investigation

     220        457        252  

Equalization of expenses - Production Individualization Agreements

     2        (279      —    

Gains / (losses) on decommissioning of returned/abandoned areas

     (155      621        337  

Provision for the class action agreement

     —          —          (3,449

Others

     241        6        (169
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,199        (5,760      (5,511
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

11.

Net finance income (expense)

 

     2019      2018
Reclassified
     2017
Reclassified
 
     Jan-Dec      Jan-Dec      Jan-Dec  

Finance income

     1,330        2,381        928  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from investments and marketable securities (Government Bonds)

     558        563        472  

Discount and premium on repurchase of debt securities

     5        323        —    

Gains from signed agreements (electric sector)

     79        724        —    

Other income, net

     688        771        456  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Finance expenses

     (7,086      (5,675      (7,006
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest on finance debt

     (4,847      (5,920      (6,685

Unwinding of discount on lease liabilities

     (1,514      (10      (19

Discount and premium on repurchase of debt securities

     (860      (651      (338

Capitalized borrowing costs

     1,332        1,814        1,976  

Unwinding of discount on the provision for decommissioning costs

     (795      (652      (762

Other finance expenses and income, net

     (402      (256      (1,178
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Foreign exchange gains (losses) and indexation charges

     (3,008      (3,190      (3,641
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Foreign Exchange gains (losses)

     (72      (66      (857

Reclassification of hedge accounting to the Statement of Income

     (3,136      (3,315      (3,154

Other foreign exchange gains (losses) and indexation charges, net

     200        191        370  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     (8,764      (6,484      (9,719
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-29


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

12.

Net income by operating segment

 

Consolidated Statement of Income by operating segment

 

     2019  
     Exploration
and
Production
    Refining,
Transportation
& Marketing
    Gas
&
Power
    Corporate
and other
business
    Eliminations     Total  

Sales revenues

     50,462       67,538       11,493       1,221       (54,125     76,589  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intersegments

     49,400       9,432       3,308       226       (54,125     8,241  

Third parties

     1,062       58,106       8,185       995       —         68,348  

Cost of sales

     (27,304     (61,578     (7,713     (1,167     52,030       (45,732
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

     23,158       5,960       3,780       54       (2,095     30,857  

Income (expenses)

     (4,181     (4,334     2,580       (4,282     (26     (10,243

Selling

     —         (2,164     (2,260     (31     (21     (4,476

General and administrative

     (254     (336     (134     (1,401     1       (2,124

Exploration costs

     (799     —         —         —         —         (799

Research and development

     (394     (11     (15     (156     —         (576

Other taxes

     (127     (151     (152     (189     —         (619

Impairment of assets

     (1,956     (697     (194     1       (2     (2,848

Other income and expenses

     (651     (975     5,335       (2,506     (4     1,199  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income / (loss) before financial results and income taxes

     18,977       1,626       6,360       (4,228     (2,121     20,614  

Net finance income (expenses) (*)

     —         —         —         (8,764     —         (8,764

Results in equity-accounted investments

     86       (151     103       115       —         153  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income / (loss) before income taxes

     19,063       1,475       6,463       (12,877     (2,121     12,003  

Income taxes

     (6,451     (552     (2,162     4,245       720       (4,200
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations for the period

     12,612       923       4,301       (8,632     (1,401     7,803  

Net income from discontinued operations for the period

     —         —         3       2,557       —         2,560  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income for the period

     12,612       923       4,304       (6,075     (1,401     10,363  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

            

Non-controlling interests

     (12     (98     124       198       —         212  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     (12     (98     121       132       —         143  

Net income from discontinued operations

     —         —         3       66       —         69  

Shareholders of Petrobras

     12,624       1,021       4,180       (6,273     (1,401     10,151  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     12,624       1,021       4,179       (8,763     (1,401     7,660  

Net income from discontinued operations

     —         —         1       2,490       —         2,491  

 

F-30


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

     2018 - Reclassified  
     Exploration
and
Production
    Refining,
Transportation
& Marketing
    Gas
&
Power
    Corporate
and other
business
    Eliminations     Total  

Sales revenues

     52,382       73,448       12,241       1,731       (55,164     84,638  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intersegments

     50,052       16,655       3,701       205       (55,164     15,449  

Third parties

     2,330       56,793       8,540       1,526       —         69,189  

Cost of sales

     (28,968     (67,011     (9,023     (1,611     54,429       (52,184
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

     23,414       6,437       3,218       120       (735     32,454  

Income (expenses)

     (5,068     (3,437     (2,461     (4,662     (38     (15,666

Selling

     (80     (1,777     (1,867     (76     (27     (3,827

General and administrative

     (257     (376     (152     (1,453     (1     (2,239

Exploration costs

     (524     —         —         —         —         (524

Research and development

     (443     (11     (21     (166     —         (641

Other taxes

     (115     (207     (65     (283     —         (670

Impairment of assets

     (1,391     (442     (190     18       —         (2,005

Other income and expenses

     (2,258     (624     (166     (2,702     (10     (5,760
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income / (loss) before financial results and income taxes

     18,346       3,000       757       (4,542     (773     16,788  

Net finance income (expenses) (*)

     —         —         —         (6,484     —         (6,484

Results in equity-accounted investments

     75       362       95       (9     —         523  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income / (loss) before income taxes

     18,421       3,362       852       (11,035     (773     10,827  

Income taxes

     (6,236     (1,020     (257     2,994       263       (4,256
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations for the period

     12,185       2,342       595       (8,041     (510     6,571  

Net income from discontinued operations for the period

     —         —         15       828       —         843  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income for the period

     12,185       2,342       610       (7,213     (510     7,414  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

     (5     (51     128       169       —         241  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     (5     (51     124       (69     —         (1

Net income from discontinued operations

     —         —         4       238       —         242  

Net income attributable to shareholders of Petrobras

     12,190       2,393       482       (7,382     (510     7,173  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     12,190       2,393       471       (7,972     (510     6,572  

Net income from discontinued operations

     —         —         11       590       —         601  

 

F-31


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

     2017 - Reclassified  
     Exploration
and
Production
    Refining,
Transportation
& Marketing
    Gas
&
Power
    Corporate
and other
business
    Eliminations     Total  

Sales revenues

     42,184       67,037       12,340       1,583       (45,260     77,884  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intersegments

     40,762       16,142       3,261       201       (45,260     15,106  

Third parties

     1,422       50,895       9,079       1,382       —         62,778  

Cost of sales

     (27,937     (57,778     (8,807     (1,476     44,800       (51,198
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

     14,247       9,259       3,533       107       (460     26,686  

Income (expenses)

     (3,750     (3,603     (659     (8,194     73       (16,133

Selling

     (125     (1,731     (1,776     (63     81       (3,614

General and administrative

     (331     (457     (165     (1,703     —         (2,656

Exploration costs

     (800     —         —         —         —         (800

Research and development

     (333     (13     (26     (200     —         (572

Other taxes

     (503     (203     (258     (825     —         (1,789

Impairment of assets

     43       (781     (446     (7     —         (1,191

Other income and expenses

     (1,701     (418     2,012       (5,396     (8     (5,511
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income / (loss) before financial results and income taxes

     10,497       5,656       2,874       (8,087     (387     10,553  

Net finance income (expenses) (*)

     —         —         —         (9,719     —         (9,719

Results in equity-accounted investments

     136       443       117       (23     —         673  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income / (loss) before income taxes

     10,633       6,099       2,991       (17,829     (387     1,507  

Income taxes

     (3,571     (1,922     (977     4,641       132       (1,697
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations for the period

     7,062       4,177       2,014       (13,188     (255     (190

Net income from discontinued operations for the period

     —         —         17       342       —         359  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income for the period

     7,062       4,177       2,031       (12,846     (255     169  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

     41       (58     119       158       —         260  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     41       (58     123       51       —         157  

Net income from discontinued operations

     —         —         (4     107       —         103  

Net income attributable to shareholders of Petrobras

     7,021       4,235       1,912       (13,004     (255     (91
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     7,021       4,235       1,891       (13,239     (255     (347

Net income from discontinued operations

     —         —         21       235       —         256  

The consolidated amounts of intersegment sales (remaining after eliminations) relates to sales from the RT&M to BR, which is presented as discontinued operation within Corporate and other business.

12.1. Accounting policy for operating segments

The information related to the Company’s operating segments is prepared based on available financial information directly attributable to each segment, or items that can be allocated to each segment on a reasonable basis. This information is presented by business activity, as used by the Company’s Board of Executive Officers (Chief Operating Decision Maker – CODM) on the decision-making process of resource allocation and performance evaluation.

The measurement of segment results includes transactions carried out with third parties, including associates and joint ventures, as well as transactions between operating segments. Transfers between operating segments are recognized at internal transfer prices derived from methodologies that take into account market parameters and are eliminated only to provide reconciliations to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-32


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

As a result of the divestments in 2019, the strategy of repositioning its portfolio as set out in the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, approved on November 27, 2019, as well as the materiality of the remaining businesses, the Company reassessed the presentation of the Distribution and Biofuels businesses, which are now included in the segment Corporate and other businesses. Thus, comparative information has been reclassified. Accordingly, the company’s business segments disclosed separately are:

Exploration and Production (E&P): this segment covers the activities of exploration, development and production of crude oil, NGL (natural gas liquid) and natural gas in Brazil and abroad, for the primary purpose of supplying its domestic refineries. The E&P segment also operates through partnerships with other companies and includes holding interest in foreign entities operating in this segment.

As an integrated energy company with a focus on oil and gas, intersegment sales revenue refers mainly to oil transfers to the Refining, Transportation and Marketing segment, aiming to supply the Company’s refineries and meet the domestic demand for oil products. These transactions are measured by internal transfer prices based on international oil prices and their respective exchange rate impacts, taking into account the specific characteristics of the transferred oil stream.

In addition, the E&P segment revenues include transfers of natural gas to the natural gas processing plants within Gas and Power segment. These transactions are measured at internal transfer prices based on the international prices of this commodity.

Revenue from sales to third parties mainly reflects services rendered relating to E&P activities, sales of the E&P’s natural gas processing plants, as well as the oil and natural gas operations carried out by subsidiaries abroad.

Refining, Transportation and Marketing (RT&M): this segment covers the refining, logistics, transport and trading of crude oil and oil products activities in Brazil and abroad, as well as exports of ethanol. This segment also includes the petrochemical operations, such as extraction and processing of shale and holding interests in petrochemical companies in Brazil.

This segment carries out the acquisition of crude oil from the E&P segment, imports oil for refinery slate, and acquires oil products in international markets taking advantage of the existing price differentials between the cost of processing domestic oil and that of importing oil products.

Intersegment revenues primarily reflect the sale of derivatives for the distribution segment at market prices and the operations for the Gas and Power and E&P segments at internal transfer price.

Revenues from sales to third parties primarily reflect the trading of oil products in Brazil and the export and trade of oil and oil products by foreign subsidiaries.

Gas and Power: this segment covers the activities of logistic and trading of natural gas and electricity, transportation and trading of LNG (liquefied natural gas), generation and electricity by means of thermoelectric power plants, as well as holding interests in transporters and distributors of natural gas in Brazil and abroad. It also includes natural gas processing and fertilizers production.

Intersegment revenues primarily reflect the transfers of natural gas processed, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and NGL to RT&M. These transactions are measured at internal transfer prices.

This segment purchases national natural gas from the E&P segment, from partners and third parties, imports natural gas from Bolivia and LNG to meet national demand.

Revenues from sales to third parties primarily reflect natural gas processed to distributors, as well as generation and trading of electricity.

The Corporate segment comprises items that cannot be attributed to the other segments, as well as distribution and biofuels businesses. Corporate items comprise those related to corporate financial management, corporate overhead and other expenses, including actuarial expenses related to the pension and medical benefits for retired employees and their dependents. Distribution business reflects the interest in the associate BR Distribuidora (investments and results in equity-accounted investments), as well as the distribution of derivatives abroad (South America). Until July 2019 and the previous years for comparative purposes, it also includes net income from discontinued operations, as set out in note 30. Biofuels businesses reflects production activities of biodiesel, its co-products and ethanol.

 

F-33


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

13.

Trade and other receivables

13.1. Trade and other receivables, net

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Receivables from contracts with customers

     

Third parties

     4,481        6,614  

Related parties

     

Investees (note 37.1)

     794        682  

Receivables from the electricity sector (note 13.4) (*)

     334        4,400  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     5,609        11,696  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other trade receivables

     

Third parties

     

Receivables from divestments (**)

     1,434        1,296  

Lease receivables

     482        519  

Other receivables

     831        1,325  

Related parties

     

Diesel subsidy (note 37.1)

     —          400  

Petroleum and alcohol accounts - receivables from Brazilian Government (note 37.1)

     304        307  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     3,051        3,847  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total trade receivables

     8,660        15,543  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expected credit losses (ECL) - Third parties

     (2,286      (3,390

Expected credit losses (ECL) - Related parties

     (45      (915
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total trade receivables, net

     6,329        11,238  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current

     3,762        5,746  

Non-current

     2,567        5,492  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

It includes the amount of US$ 176 at December 31, 2019 (US$ 199 at December 31, 2018) regarding finance lease receivable from Amazonas Distribuidora de Energia.

(**)

It comprises receivable from the divestment of NTS and contingent payments from the sale of interest in Roncador field.

Trade and other receivables are generally classified as measured at amortized cost, except for receivables with final prices linked to changes in commodity price after their transfer of control, which are classified as measured at fair value through profit or loss, amounting to US$ 357 as of December 31, 2019.

13.2. Aging of trade and other receivables – third parties

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  
     Trade
receivables
     Expected
credit
losses
     Trade
receivables
     Expected
credit
losses
 

Current

     4,658        (142      5,863        (360

Overdue:

           

1-90 days

     251        (38      484        (54

91-180 days

     24        (8      35        (12

181-365 days

     49        (13      48        (20

More than 365 days

     2,245        (2,085      3,325        (2,944
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     7,227        (2,286      9,755        (3,390
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-34


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

13.3. Changes in provision for expected credit losses

 

     Jan-Dec/2019      Jan-Dec/2018  

Opening balance

     4,305        5,945  

Initial application of IFRS 9

     —          122  

Additions

     217        104  

Write-offs

     (1,241      (1,253

Transfer of assets held for sale

     (871      6  

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (79      (619
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

     2,331        4,305  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current

     1,103        1,715  

Non-current

     1,228        2,590  

In the year ended December 31, 2019, the write-offs primarily relate to the termination of a lawsuit, as set out in note 13.4.

In 2018, it primarily reflect the effects related to the agreements signed with Eletrobras.

13.4. Trade receivables – electricity sector (isolated electricity system in the northern region of Brazil)

 

Receivables from electricity sector    Receivables outside
the scope of DAAs
    DAA
2014
    DAA
2018
    Lease
receivables
    Others     Total  

Receivables

     1,348       2,560       739       199       1       4,847  

ECL

     (1,182     (5     (1     —         (1     (1,189
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

     166       2,555       738       199       —         3,658  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sales

     857       —         —         —         —         857  

Amounts received

     (832     (2,466     (667     (39     —         (4,004

Interest

     12       114       36       30       —         192  

Derecognition of receivables

     (879     —         —         —         —         (879

Agreements in 2018

     —         —         217       —         —         217  

Discount on transfer of rights

     —         (128     —         —         —         (128

(Additions)/reversals of ECL

     (19     2       —         (8     —         (25

Derecognition of receivables - ECL

     866       —         —         —         —         866  

Transfer to assets held for sale (*)

     (6     (23     (200     —         —         (229

CTA

     (11     (54     (16     (6     —         (87
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     154       —         108       176       —         438  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Receivables

     214       —         108       183       —         505  

ECL

     (60     —         —         (7     —         (67
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     154       —         108       176       —         438  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*)

Amounts relate to BR receivables that were transferred to assets held for sale at June 30, 2019.

 

     Receivables      ECL      Total  

Related parties - Eletrobras Group

        

Eletrobras

     108        —          108  

Amazonas Geração e Transmissão - AmGT

     226        (44      182  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     334        (44      290  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Third parties

        

Cia de Gás do Amazonas - CIGÁS

     156        (8      148  

Cia de Eletricidade do Amapá - CEA

     15        (15      —    

Others

     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     171        (23      148  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     505        (67      438  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

     4,847        (1,189      3,658
 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As a result of the conclusion of the privatization of the energy distributors of the electricity system, in April 2019, all the conditions precedent set forth in the Debt Assumption Agreements (DAAs), signed between the distributors and Petrobras, were met and, thus, Eletrobras became the debtor of all the related amounts.

 

F-35


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Following the additional sale of Petrobras’s interest in BR Distribuidora, the amount of US$ 229, relating to the receivables assigned to this company, was transferred to assets held for sale in the second quarter of 2019, and finally were derecognized in the third quarter of 2019, at the closing of this sale.

On July 31, 2019, Petrobras, Eletrobras and Amazonas Energia requested the termination of the lawsuit filed by Petrobras against debtors Eletrobras and Amazonas Energia, in the amount of US$ 766, as set out in an out-of-court settlement signed by these three companies, and in the Debt Assumption Agreement signed on December 3, 2018 (DAA 2018). Thus, in the third quarter of 2019, the disputed receivables and the corresponding provision for expected credit losses (ECL) were derecognized, with no net effect in the statement of income, since the totality of the credits were covered by the ECL.

The remaining balance of DAA 2018, in which Amazonas Energia (AME) was debtor and later assumed by Eletrobras after the implementation of all conditions contained in the debt acknowledgement, is US$ 108.

On September 20, 2019, Petrobras and Apolo Fundo de Investimento em Direitos Creditórios entered into an assignment agreement without recourse relating to the all credit rights under the debt acknowledgement by energy distributors in 2014 (DAA 2014), whose financial settlement occurred for the amount of US$ 2,251, with a US$ 128 discount, recognized as a finance expense in 2019.

Regarding the gas supply, following the assignment of the gas trading agreement from Amazonas Energia (AME) to Amazonas Geração e Transmissão (AmGT), which occurred in December 2018, no further delays or defaults were identified.

13.5. Accounting policy for trade receivables

Trade receivables are generally classified at amortized cost, except for certain receivables classified at fair value through profit or loss, whose cash flows are distinct from the receipt of principal and interest, including receivables with final prices linked to changes in commodity price after their transfer of control.

When the Company is the lessor in a finance lease, a receivable is recognized at the amount of the net investment in the lease, consisting of the lease payments receivable and any unguaranteed residual value accruing to the Company, discounted at the interest rate implicit in the lease.

The Company measures expected credit losses for short-term trade receivables using a provision matrix based on historical observed default rates adjusted by current and forward-looking information when applicable and available without undue cost or effort.

The Company measures the allowance for expected credit losses of other trade receivables based on their 12-month expected credit losses unless their credit risk has increased significantly since their initial recognition, in which case the allowance is based on their lifetime expected credit losses.

When determining whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk, the Company compares the risk of default on initial recognition and at the reporting date.

Regardless of the assessment of significant increase in credit risk, a delinquency period of 30 days past due triggers the definition of significant increase in credit risk on a financial asset, unless otherwise demonstrated by reasonable and supportable information.

The Company assumes that the credit risk on the trade receivable has not increased significantly since initial recognition if the receivable is considered to have low credit risk at the reporting date. Low credit risk is determined based on external credit ratings or internal methodologies.

The Company assumes that a default occurs whenever the counterparty does not comply with the legal obligation to pay its debts when due or, depending on the instrument, when it is at least 90 days past due.

The measurement of expected credit loss comprises the difference between all contractual cash flows that are due to the Company and all the cash flows that the Company expects to receive, discounted at the original effective interest rate weighted by the probability of default.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

14.

Inventories

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Crude oil

     3,905        4,150  

Oil products

     2,274        2,758  

Intermediate products

     586        610  

Natural gas and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

     173        122  

Biofuels

     28        150  

Fertilizers

     28        78  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total products

     6,994        7,868  

Materials, supplies and others

     1,195        1,119  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     8,189        8,987  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized a US$ 15 loss within cost of sales, adjusting inventories to net realizable value (a US$ 420 loss within cost of sales in the year ended December 31, 2018) primarily due to changes in international prices of crude oil and oil products.

At December 31, 2019, the Company had pledged crude oil and oil products volumes as collateral for the Terms of Financial Commitment (TFC) signed by Petrobras and Petros in 2008, in the amount of US$ 3,525 (US$ 4,496 at December 31, 2018), as set out in note 18.

14.1. Accounting policy for inventories

Inventories are determined by the weighted average cost method adjusted to the net realizable value when it is lower than its carrying amount.

Net realizable value is the estimated selling price of inventory in the ordinary course of business, less estimated cost of completion and estimated expenses to complete its sale.

Crude oil and LNG inventories can be traded or used for production of oil products and/or electricity generation, respectively.

Intermediate products are those product streams that have been through at least one of the refining processes, but still need further treatment, processing or converting to be available for sale.

Biofuels mainly include ethanol and biodiesel inventories.

Materials, supplies and others mainly comprise production supplies and operating materials used in the operations of the Company, stated at the average purchase cost, not exceeding replacement cost.

 

15.

Trade payables

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Third parties in Brazil

     2,560        4,008  

Third parties abroad

     2,045        1,572  

Related parties

     996        747  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance in current liabilities

     5,601        6,327  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

16.

Taxes

16.1. Income taxes and other taxes

 

Income taxes    Current assets      Current liabilities      Non-current liabilities  
     12.31.2019      12.31.2018      12.31.2019      12.31.2018      12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Taxes in Brazil

                 

Income taxes

     2,485        733        71        66        —          —    

Income taxes - Tax settlement programs

     —          —          57        56        504        552  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,485        733        128        122        504        552  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Taxes abroad

     8        6        148        89        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,493        739        276        211        504        552  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Other taxes    Current assets      Non-current assets      Current liabilities      Non-current liabilities (*)  
     12.31.2019      12.31.2018      12.31.2019      12.31.2018      12.31.2019      12.31.2018      12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Taxes in Brazil

                       

Current / Deferred ICMS (VAT)

     555        781        364        700        759        922        —          —    

Current / Deferred PIS and COFINS

     417        442        2,591        1,831        252        309        44        —    

Claim to recover PIS and COFINS

     —          —          820        837        —          —          —          —    

CIDE

     31        22        —          —          45        50        —          —    

Production taxes

     —          —          —          —          1,929        1,757        266        —    

Withholding income taxes

     —          —          —          —          232        308        —          —    

Tax Settlement Program

     —          —          —          —          —          2        —          —    

Others

     31        36        153        158        189        184        225        107  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total in Brazil

     1,034        1,281        3,928        3,526        3,406        3,532        535        107  

Taxes abroad

     17        15        11        14        18        24        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,051        1,296        3,939        3,540        3,424        3,556        535        107  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income taxes credits refer mainly to the carryforward of unused tax losses in the computation process of income taxes, in addition to the negative balance of IRPJ and CSLL related to 2018 and 2019.

Deferred PIS and COFINS credits mainly refer to the acquisition of goods and services for assets under construction, since their use are allowed after these assets enter into production.

In 2019, provisions for current and non-current recoverable taxes (ICMS, PIS and COFINS) were recognized, in the amount US$ 243, mainly due to changes in the scope of projects in progress, reflecting the vision of the Company’s Strategic Plan, as well as uncertainties related to the realization of credits in electricity trading operations.

Recovery of PIS and COFINS

The Company filed civil lawsuits against the Brazilian Federal Government claiming to recover PIS and COFINS paid over finance income and foreign exchange variation gains, from February 1999 to January 2004.

The court granted to the Company, in all the lawsuits, the definitive right to recover those taxes, but it requires previous examination and approval by the court of the settlement reports (court-ordered liquidation stage). In 2017, there were a settlement reports issued in favor of the Company relating to the most significant amount to be recovered. However, final approvals by the court are still pending.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had non-current receivables of US$ 820 (US$ 837 as of December 31, 2018) related to PIS and COFINS, which are indexed to inflation.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

16.2. Tax amnesty programs – State Tax (Programas de Anistias Estaduais)

In 2019, in accordance with its current corporate governance process and following cost-benefit analysis, the Company elected to settle in cash VAT (ICMS) tax disputes by joining states amnesty settlement programs and taking advance of their reliefs, as shown below:

 

State

   State
Law/Decree n°
    

Benefits received

   Disputes (*)      Reduction
Benefit
     Amount to
be paid
after
benefit (**)
 
BA      14,085/2019      Reduction of 90% of fines and interest and 50% of Vat tax forgiveness      449        (344)        105  
PE      414/2019      Reduction of 90% of interest and 43% of the fines      335        (224)        111  
AM      202/2019      Reduction of 95% of fines and interest      196        (135)        61  
CE      33,135/2019      Reduction of 90% of fines and interest and 50% of Vat tax forgiveness      127        (98)        29  
AL      5,900/96      Reduction of 90% of fines and interest      83        (63)        20  
SE      40,486/2019      Reduction of 90% of fines and interest      41        (26)        15  
RS     
54,853/2019 and
54,887/2019
 
 
   Reduction of 60% and 90% of fines and interest and 50% of Vat tax forgiveness      76        (58)        18  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
           1,307        (948)        359  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

US$ 1.2 billion refers to previous disputes for which the likelihood of losses were deemed possible , as set out in note 19.

(*)

Amounts recognized as other taxes (US$ 230), other expenses (US$ 103), and finance expenses (US$ 33).

16.3. Brazilian federal settlement programs

In 2018 the Company settled most of the debts relating to the tax settlement programs it joined in 2017. These programs were created by the Brazilian Federal Government, which enabled the settlement of significant disputes with Brazilian tax authorities and other Brazilian federal agencies, in which the Company was a defendant, with certain benefits, such as the use of tax loss carry forwards and reduction in interests, penalties and related charges.

As of December 31, 2019, there is an open balance relating to the Special Tax Settlement Program (PERT), which covered the lawsuit related to the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service, with respect to a notice of deficiency issued due to the use of expenses arising from the Terms of Financial Commitment (TFC), signed by Petrobras and Petros Plan in 2008, as deductible in determining taxable profit for the calculation of income taxes (IRPJ and CSLL).

The following table presents changes in the balance of this program:

 

     12.31.2018      Payments     Use of tax loss
carryforwards
     Inflation
indexation
     Others      CTA     12.31.2019  

PERT

                  

Income taxes

     607        (55     —          30        —          (23     559  

Others taxes

     —          —         —          —          1        —         1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     608        (55     —          30        —          (23     560  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current

                     56  

Non-current

                     504  

The following table presents the settlement years of the outstanding amounts under this program:

 

     2020      2021      2022      2023      2024      2025
onwards
     Total  

PERT

     56        56        56        56        56        280        560  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     56        56        56        56        56        280        560  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

16.4. New Taxation Model for the Oil and Gas Industry

Law No. 13,586, enacted in 2017, outlined a new taxation model for the oil and gas industry and, along with the Decree 9,128/2017, established a new special regime for exploration, development and production of oil, gas and other liquid hydrocarbons named Repetro-Sped.

Following the application of this new regime, the Company expects greater legal stability in the oil and gas industry in Brazil, which may encourage higher investments and reduce the number of litigations involving the industry players.

Regarding the Repetro-Sped, this regime provides for the continuation of total tax relief over goods imported with temporary permanence in Brazil, as previously governed by the former Repetro (Special Customs Regime for the Export and Import of Goods designated to Exploration and Production of Oil and Natural Gas Reserves), and adds this relief to goods permanently held in Brazil, through the final acquisition of these by Petrobras and Brazilian Consortiums. For goods that were already in the country on December 31, 2017, the Company initiated the transfer of ownership of the oil and gas assets of PNBV and its subsidiaries to the parent company and consortiums in Brazil, which will take place before the end of 2020. Therefore, due to the fact that these assets no longer need to return abroad at the end of the contract, their respective operational and financial removal costs were eliminated. The regime will expire in December 2040. As a result of these transfers, there was a corporate restructuring of companies abroad, as mentioned in note 30.2.

On September 4, 2019, IN RFB No. 1,901 was released, regulating Repetro-Industrialization. This taxation model allows the beneficiary company to be able to import or purchase in domestic market, with the relief of federal taxes, raw materials, intermediate products and packaging materials to be fully used in the production.

Following the creation of Repetro-Sped, the Brazilian states, pursuant to a decision of the Brazilian National Council of Finance Policies (CONFAZ), agreed to grant tax incentives relating to VAT (ICMS) over transactions in the scope of this regime to the extent each state enacts its specific regulation providing for the tax relief for the oil and gas industry.

At the date of issuance of these financial statements, the states enacting new regulations governing the VAT tax incentives authorized by CONFAZ were: Amazonas, Bahia, Ceará, Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, São Paulo, Sergipe, Minas Gerais and Piauí.

Finally, on December 17, 2019, the ICMS 220 Agreement was released, aiming to amend ICMS Agreement 03/2018, improving the rules applicable and clarifying several points such as the tax competence in interstate operations and the responsibility for the payment of ICMS. These amendments were promoted to incorporate the ICMS into the Repetro-Industrialization model.    

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

16.5. Deferred income taxes - non-current

The changes in the deferred income taxes (corporate income tax (IRPJ, 25%) and social contribution on net income (CSLL, 9%) are presented as follows:

 

    Property, Plant and
Equipment
                                                 
    Exploration
and
decommissioning
costs
    Others (*)     Loans, trade and
other receivables /
payables

and financing (**)
    Finance
leases
    Provision
for legal
proceedings
    Tax
losses
    Inventories     Employee
Benefits
    Others     Total  

Balance at January 1, 2018

    (10,692     (498     1,661       (130     2,201       6,031       569       2,688       534       2,364  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Recognized in the statement of income for the year

    2,048       (1,109     (1,509     (134     208       (244     (49     192       (167     (764

Recognized in shareholders’ equity

    —         —         1,916       —         —         —         —         (119     2       1,799  

Cumulative translation adjustment

    1,397       205       (260     28       (345     (668     (65     (417     (34     (159

Use of tax credits

    —         —         —         —         —         (1,117     —         —         (105     (1,222

Others

    —         (26     18       89       2       15       —         11       (101     8  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

    (7,247     (1,428     1,826       (147     2,066       4,017       455       2,355       129       2,026  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Initial application of IFRS9

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2019

    (7,247     (1,428     1,826       (147     2,066       4,017       455       2,355       129       2,026  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Recognized in the statement of income for the year

    1,497       (2,711     (95     (4     (1,142     (886     217       146       180       (2,798

Recognized in the statement of income of discontinued operation (***)

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (612     (612

Recognized in shareholders’ equity

    —         —         (203     329       —         —         —         1,491       —         1,617  

Cumulative translation adjustment

    242       92       (114     (9     (51     (54     (17     (56     25       58  

Use of tax credits

    —         —         —         —         —         (352     —         —         23       (329

Transfers to held for sale

    —         444       (55     17       (87     (175     (23     (216     (181     (276

Others

    —         14       (16     2       (4     (39     (2     (10     (3     (58
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

    (5,508     (3,589     1,343       188       782       2,511       630       3,710       (439     (372
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

                      2,680  

Deferred tax liabilities

                      (654
                   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

                      2,026  
                   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

                      1,388  

Deferred tax liabilities

                      (1,760
                   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

                      (372
                   

 

 

 

 

(*)

It mainly includes impairment adjustments, capitalized borrowing costs, and expansion of the base of assets to calculate accelerated depreciation.

(**)

The amounts presented as Loans, trade and other receivables/payables and financing relate to the tax effect on exchange rate variation recognized within other comprehensive income (cash flow hedge accounting) as set out in note 36.2.

(***)

For more information on the discontinued operation, see note 30.

The Company recognizes the deferred tax assets based on assessment of uncertainty over income tax treatments in the context of applicable tax laws, as well as projections of future taxable profits in a ten-year perspective supported by the Business and Management Plan, which is revised annually.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Timing of reversal of deferred income taxes

Deferred tax assets were recognized based on projections of taxable profit in future periods supported by the Company’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan. The main goals and objectives outlined in this plan include business restructuring, a divestment plan, demobilization of assets and reducing operating expenses.

Management considers that the deferred tax assets will be realized to the extent the deferred tax liabilities are reversed and expected taxable events occur based on its 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.

The estimated schedule of recovery/reversal of net deferred tax assets (liabilities) recoverable (payable) as of December 31, 2018 is set out in the following table:

 

     Assets      Liabilities  

2020

     928        21  

2021

     24        39  

2022

     46        19  

2023

     20        288  

2024

     32        705  

2025 and thereafter

     338        688  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recognized deferred tax assets

     1,388        1,760  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Brazil

     245        —    

Abroad

     1,414        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrecognized deferred tax assets

     1,659        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     3,047        1,760  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2018, the Company had tax loss carryforwards arising from offshore subsidiaries, for which no deferred tax assets had been recognized. These tax losses totaling U$ 1,414 (US$ 1,472 as of December 31, 2018) arose mainly from oil and gas exploration and production and refining activities in the United States of US$ 1,346 (US$ 1,398 as of December 31, 2017), as well as activities in Spain in the amount of US$ 68 (US$ 69 as of December 31, 2017).

An aging of the unrecognized tax carryforwards, from companies abroad is set out below:

 

     Unrecognized
deferred tax
assets
 

2021

     45  

2022

     1  

2023

     13  

2024

     9  

2025

     3  

2026 - 2028

     234  

2029 - 2031

     292  

2032 - 2034

     563  

2035 - 2037

     254  
  

 

 

 

Total

     1,414  
  

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

16.6. Reconciliation between statutory tax rate and effective tax expense rate

The following table provides the reconciliation of Brazilian statutory tax rate to the Company’s effective rate on income before income taxes:

 

     2019     2018
Reclassified
    2017 -
Reclassified
 

Net income before income taxes

     12,003       10,827       1,507  

Nominal income taxes computed based on Brazilian statutory corporate tax rates (34%)

     (4,081     (3,681     (513

·    Tax benefits from the deduction of interest on capital distribution

     728       553       (53

·    Different jurisdictional tax rates for companies abroad

     1,056       355       669  

.    Brazilian income taxes on income of companies incorporated outside Brazil (*)

     (175     (41     (70

·    Tax incentives (**)

     443       74       168  

·    Tax loss carryforwards (unrecognized tax losses) (***)

     (682     (484     (146

·    Non-taxable income (non-deductible expenses), net (****)

     (1,556     (780     (454

·    Tax settlement programs (*****)

     —         —         (1,373

·    Agreement with US authorities

     —         (293     —    

·    Others

     69       41       75  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income taxes expense

     (4,200     (4,256     (1,697
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

     (2,798     (370     (400

Current income taxes

     (1,402     (3,886     (1,297
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (4,200     (4,256     (1,697
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate of income taxes

     35.0     39.3     112.6

 

(*)

It relates to Brazilian income taxes on earnings of offshore investees, as established by Law No. 12,973/2014.

(**)

It includes tax incentives granted by dutch authorities.

(***)

As of December 31, 2019, it includes US$ 674 regarding uncertainty over income tax treatments adopted by subsidiaries abroad.

(****)

It includes results in equity-accounted investments, expenses relating to health care plan and provisions for legal proceedings.

(*****)

Income taxes in the scope of PRT and PERT and reversals of losses carry forwards from 2012 to 2017.

16.7. Accounting policy for income taxes

Income tax expense for the period includes current and deferred taxes, recognized in the statement of income of the period, except when the tax arises from a transaction or event which is recognized directly in equity. Income tax expense comprises current and deferred taxes based on the rates of 25% for income tax (IRPJ) and 9% for social contribution on net income (CSLL), and the offsetting of the carryforward of credit losses and negative basis of CSLL, limited to 30% of taxable income for the year. Since 2015, income tax expenses on profits arising from subsidiaries abroad are recognized as established by Law No. 12,973 / 2014.

16.7.1. Current income taxes

Current income taxes are computed based on taxable profit for the year, determined in accordance with the rules established by the taxation authorities, using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Current income taxes are offset when they relate to income taxes levied on the same taxable entity and by the same tax authority, when there is a legal right and the entity has the intention to set off current tax assets and current tax liabilities, simultaneously.

16.7.2. Deferred income taxes

Deferred income taxes are recognized on temporary differences between the tax base of an asset or liability and its carrying amount. They are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax assets are generally recognized for all deductible temporary differences and carryforward of unused tax losses or credits to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which those deductible temporary differences can be utilized. When there are insufficient taxable temporary differences relating to the same taxation authority and the same taxable entity, a deferred tax is recognized to the extent that it is probable that the entity will have sufficient taxable profit in future periods, based on projections approved by management and supported by the Company’s Strategic Plan.

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied on the same taxable entity, when a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets and current tax liabilities exists and when the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

17.

Short-term and other benefits

 

     12.31.2019      31.12.2018  

Accrued vacation pay

     660        781  

Profit sharing

     16        355  

Employees variable compensation program

     655        269  

Voluntary Severance Program (PDV)

     140        36  

Salaries and related charges

     212        217  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,683        1,658  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current

     1,645        1,658  

Non-current

     38        —    

Performance Award Program

In the first quarter of 2019, the Board of Directors approved a new variable remuneration model for all the Company’s employees for 2019: the Performance Award Program (Programa de Prêmio por Performance - PPP). This program is in line with the Strategic Plan, focusing on meritocracy and bringing flexibility to a scenario in which the Company seeks more efficiency and alignment with the best management practices.

The PPP will be paid in a lump sum payment if the Company presents a net income higher than R$ 10 billion in 2019 and the estimated amount of disbursement will depend on certain factors such as individual employee performance and results of the areas, as well as performance metrics of the Company.

This new model replaces other benefits related to variable compensation, such as profit sharing and the Variable Compensation Program – PRVE.

In 2019, the Company recognized a US$ 655 expense relating to the PPP for the employees within other income and expenses.

Voluntary Severance Programs

On April 24, 2019, the Board of Directors approved the Company’s Voluntary Severance Program (PDV). Petrobras employees may join the program from May 2, 2019 to June 30, 2020, provided they are retired under the Brazilian Social Security Institute (INSS) by the end of the enrollment period. The program aims to adapt size of the Company’s workforce and optimize costs.

The recognition of the provision for expenses with this plan occurs to the extent that the employees join the program. Accordingly, the Company has already registered 3,045 enrollments and 966 separations.

In addition, the Company launched two new voluntary severance programs with the same legal advantages and indemnity as PDV, but intended for non-retired employees with specific regulations. These programs are destined to the corporate segment employees (Corporate PDV) and to employees of divestment units (Specific PDVs). The Corporate PDV has already registered 243 enrollments and 28 separations.

As of December 31, 2019, changes in the provision for expenses relating to separation plans implemented by the Company are set out as follows:

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Opening Balance

     35        34  

Discontinued operations (*)

     (21      —    

Enrollments

     200        29  

Revision of provisions

     (2      (7

Separations in the period

     (71      (16

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (1      (5
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing Balance

     140        35  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current

     98        35  

Non-current

     42        —    

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

18.

Employee benefits (Post-Employment)

 

     2019      2018  

Liabilities

     

Petros Pension Plan - Renegotiated

     10,231        7,152  

Petros Pension Plan - Non-renegotiated

     3,264        2,880  

Petros 2 Pension Plan

     989        411  

AMS Medical Plan

     11,986        12,236  

Other plans

     24        71  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     26,494        22,750  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current

     887        810  

Non-current

     25,607        21,940  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     26,494        22,750  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Following the divestment in BR Distribuidora on July 25, 2019, its actuarial liabilities are no longer considered in the balance of Petrobras’ post-employment benefit obligations on December 31, 2019. In determining an eventual deficit in the defined benefit plan, it must be equalized by participants and sponsors, observing the proportion of their contributions to the plan, according to complementary Law No. 109/2001.

18.1. Pension Plans

The Company’s post-retirement plans are managed by Fundação Petrobras de Seguridade Social (Petros Foundation), which was established by Petrobras as a nonprofit legal entity governed by private law with administrative and financial autonomy.

 

a)

Renegotiated and Non-renegotiated Petros Plans (former Petros Plan)

These plans were established by Petrobras in July 1970 (originally solely Petros Plan) as a defined-benefit pension plan and currently provides post-retirement benefits for employees of Petrobras and Petrobras Distribuidora S.A., in order to complement government social security benefits. The Petros Plan has been closed to new participants since September 2002.

Petros Foundation performs an annual actuarial review of its costs using the capitalization method for most benefits. The employers (sponsors) make regular contributions in amounts equal to the contributions of the participants (active employees, assisted employees and retired employees), on a parity basis.

In August 2019, the Board of Directors approved the prepayment of part of the Term of Financial Commitment (TFC) to Petros in the amount of US$ 690, of which US$ 524 relating to Petros Renegotiated (PPSP-R) and US$ 166 to Petros Non Renegotiated (PPSP-NR). Such payment, which was scheduled to occur in 2028, was anticipated aiming at improving the liquidity of the plans.

As of December 31, 2019, the balances of the Terms of Financial Commitment (TFC), signed by Petrobras and Petros Foundation in 2008, relating to PPSP-R and PPSP-NR are US$ 2,264 and US$ 1,216. The TFC is a financial commitment agreement to cover obligations under the pension plans (PPR and PPNR), which amounts are due in 20 years, with 6% p.a. semiannual coupon payments based on the updated balance. The Company has provided crude oil and oil products pledged as security for the TFC totaling US$ 3,525.

The employers’ expected contributions to PPSP-R and PPSP-NR plans for 2020 are US$ 247 and US$ 116. Interest payments on TFC are expected to reach US$ 101 and US$ 47, repectivelly.

The average durations of the actuarial liability related to PPSP-R and PPSP-NR plans, as of December 31, 2019, are 13.78 and 11.05 years, respectively (13.08 and 11.69 as of December 31, 2018).

Split of Petros Plan

On December 27, 2019, the Previc authorized the split of PPSP-R and PPSP-NR plans, aiming to gather participants of “Pre-70 group” in “PPSP-R Pre-70” and “PPSP-NR Pre-70”.

The Pre-70 Group is made up of Petrobras employees and former employees hired prior to July 1, 1970, who enrolled in the PPSP until January 1, 1996 and remained continuously linked to the original sponsor obtaining the condition of assisted.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

In the first quarter of 2020, changes on actuarial obligations of the pre-70 group recognized in the statement of financial position will be presented separately in two independent plans, PPSP-R Pre-70 and PPSP-NR Pre-70.

As of December 31, 2019, the balance of the actuarial liability related to the Pre-70 group (PPSP-R Pre-70 and PPSP-NR Pre-70) represents 7% and 22% of the balance of the actuarial liability of PPSP-R and PPSP-NR plans, respectively.

Deficit settlement plan – Petros Plan

The Petros Plan has a deficit settlement plan (PED) in place due to its accumulated deficit until 2015. This deficit, updated by interest and inflation until December 2017, reached US$ 6,773 (R$ 27,300 million as of December 31, 2019). The PED was approved by the Executive Council of Petros Foundation on September 12, 2017 and assessed by the Company and the SEST.

Additional contributions from participants and sponsors, relating to this deficit, commenced in March 2018. Certain participants appealed before the judiciary and have had their contributions suspended based on judicial injunctions, which totaled US$ 430 at December 31, 2019. However, all judicial sentences were favorable to the maintenance of the settlement plan approved by Petros’ Deliberative Council. In 2019, the Company made contributions amounting to US$ 256 with respect of contributions under the PED (US$ 154 in 2018).

Pursuant to relevant regulation, the sponsors (Petrobras, BR Distribuidora and Petros Foundation) and participants will cover this deficit based on their respective proportions of regular contributions (parity basis).

The deficit of Petros Plan was transferred to PPR and PPNR on April 1, 2018.

On March 29, 2019, the Petros Foundation’s Deliberative Council approved the financial statements for 2018 with accumulated deficits of US$ 1,389 and US$ 695 for the PPSP-R and PPSP-NR, respectively, in accordance with accounting practices adopted in Brazil applicable to entities regulated by the National Council for Supplementary Pension Plans (CNPC).

New deficit settlement plan

Due to the deficits accumulated in 2018 having exceeded the legal limit, Petros Foundation had to implement a new deficit settlement plan until March 2020, according to the deadline established by Previc on December 27, 2019.

The Petros Foundation has been working on the implementation of this plan, an alternative settlement plan with the objective of rebalancing the PPSP-R and PPSP-NR plans, which includes the 2015 and 2018 deficits, in addition to reducing the impact of extraordinary monthly contributions of participants.

The solution includes changes to some rights and to the regulations of both plans, intended for employees and assisted participants not included in the Pre-70 Group. The amounts to be settled and the payment conditions are under evaluation and will follow the internal approval procedures and then, Petrobras should submit it to the analysis of the SEST.

The recalculation of the actuarial liabilities is being carried out by the independent actuaries, through an intermediate review, which effect will be recognized in the financial statements when the new deficit settlement plan is approved. The approval may occur in the first quarter of 2020 and the new contribution may start in April.

 

b)

Petros 2 Plan

Petros 2 Plan was established in July 2007 by Petrobras, certain subsidiaries as a variable contribution plan recognizing past service costs for contributions for the period from August 2002 to August 29, 2007. The Petros 2 Plan currently provides post-retirement benefits for employees of Petrobras, Petrobras Distribuidora S.A. (currently an associate), Stratura Asfaltos, Termobahia, Termomacaé, Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Brasil-Bolívia S.A. – TBG, Petrobras Transporte S.A. – Transpetro, Petrobras Biocombustível and Araucária Nitrogenados. The plan is open to new participants although there will no longer be payments relating to past service costs.

Certain elements of the Petros 2 Plan have defined benefit characteristics, primarily the coverage of disability and death risks and the guarantee of minimum defined benefit and lifetime income. These actuarial commitments are treated as defined benefit components of the plan and are accounted for by applying the projected unit credit method. Contributions paid for actuarial commitments that have defined contribution characteristics are accrued monthly in the statement of income and are intended to constitute a reserve for programmed retirement. The contributions for the portion of the plan with defined contribution characteristics were US$ 242 in 2019.

The defined benefit portion of the contributions was suspended from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2020, as determined by the Executive Council of Petros Foundation, based on advice of the actuarial consultants from Petros Foundation. Therefore, the entire contributions are being applied to the individual accounts of plan participants.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

For 2020, the sponsors’ expected contributions to the defined contribution portion of the plan are US$ 257.

The average duration of the actuarial liability related to the plan, as of December 31, 2019 is 23.34 years (19.68 at December 31, 2018, recalculated for better comparability).

 

c)

Petros 3 Plan

On December 18, 2018, the Board of Directors approved a proposal for a new pension plan with defined contribution characteristics to be offered. Its adhesion is voluntary to the participants of Petros Plan –Renegotiated and Petros Plan – Non-renegotiated.

The migration to this new plan will only be possible after the proposal review and approval by all relevant bodies. The proposal has already been approved by the Petros Deliberative Council and the Petrobras Board of Directors and is awaiting approval from PREVIC and SEST.

The participants’ new benefit will be recalculated based on future commitments on a participant basis at the time of migration. Therefore, each participant will have an individual account, and the amount of the retirement benefit will depend on the accumulated balance, being recalculated annually in connection with the return on plan assets.

The migration for Petros 3 Plan is expected to be offered in the first half of 2020.

 

d)

Other plans

The Company also sponsors other pension and health care plans of certain of its Brazilian and international subsidiaries. Most of these plans are unfunded and their assets are held in trusts, foundations or similar entities governed by local regulations.

18.2. Pension Plans assets

Pension plans assets follow a long term investment strategy based on the risks assessed for each different class of assets and provide for diversification, in order to lower portfolio risk. The portfolio profile must comply with the Brazilian National Monetary Council (Conselho Monetário Nacional – CMN) regulations.

Petros Foundation establishes investment policies for 5-year periods, reviewed annually. Petros uses an asset liability management model (ALM) to address net cash flow mismatches of the benefit plans, based on liquidity and solvency parameters, simulating a 30-year period.

 

     Petros Renegotiated     Petros
Non-renegotiated
    Petros plan 2  
   Minimum     Maximum     Minimum     Maximum     Minimum      Maximum  

Fixed-income

     20     100     20     100     —          100

Variable-income

     —         45     —         45     —          45

Structured investments

     —         40     —         40     —          40

Real estate properties

     —         10     —         10     —          10

Loans to participants

     —         15     —         15     —          15

Investments abroad

     —         10     —         5     —          10

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The pension plan assets by type of asset are set out as follows:

 

                          2019            2018  
Type of asset    Quoted prices in
active markets
     Unquoted
prices
     Total fair
value
     %     Total fair
value
     %  

Receivables

     —          963        963        7     1,087        9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fixed income

     6,179        2,607        8,786        62     7,761        61
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Government bonds

     6,179        —          6,179        —         6,522        —    

Fixed income funds

     —          1,608        1,608        —         940        —    

Other investments

     —          999        999        —         299        —    

Variable income

     2,753        152        2,905        21     2,208        17
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Common and preferred shares

     2,753        —          2,753        —         2,081        —    

Other investments

     —          152        152        —         127        —    

Structured investments

     —          185        185        1     237        2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Real estate properties

     —          767        767        6     829        7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     8,932        4,674        13,606        97     12,122        96
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loans to participants

     —          469        469        3     533        4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     8,932        5,143        14,075        100     12,655        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2019, the investment portfolio included debentures of US$ 11 (US$ 11 in 2018), Company’s common shares in the amount of US$ 1 (US$ 3 in 2018) and real estate properties leased by the Company in the amount of US$ 342 (US$ 344 in 2018).

Loans to participants are measured at amortized cost, which is considered an appropriate estimate of fair value.

18.3. Medical Benefits: Health Care Plan - Assistência Multidisciplinar de Saúde (“AMS”)

Petrobras, Petrobras Distribuidora S.A., Petrobras Transporte S.A. – Transpetro, Petrobras Biocombustível, Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Brasil-Bolívia – TBG and Termobahia operate a medical benefit plan for their employees in Brazil (active and retired) and their dependents: the AMS health care plan. The plan is managed by the Company based on a self-supporting benefit assumption and includes health prevention and health care programs. The plan is mainly exposed to the risk of an increase in medical costs due to new technologies, new types of coverage and to a higher level of usage of medical benefits. The Company continuously improves the quality of its technical and administrative processes, as well as the health programs offered to beneficiaries in order to mitigate such risks.

The employees make fixed monthly contributions to cover high-risk procedures and variable contributions for a portion of the cost of the other procedures, both based on the contribution tables of the plan, which are determined based on certain parameters, such as salary and age levels. The plan also includes assistance towards the purchase of certain medicines in registered drugstores throughout Brazil. There are no health care plan assets.

Benefits are paid and recognized by the Company based on the costs incurred by the participants, of which the Company satisfies 70% of these costs as governed by the collective bargaining agreement.

The average duration of the actuarial liability related to this health care plan, as of December 31, 2019, is 21.64 years (22.24 as of December 31, 2018).

CGPAR resolutions

On January 18, 2018, the Inter-ministerial Commission for Corporate Governance and Administration of Participations of the Union (CGPAR), through CGPAR Resolutions 22 and 23, established guidelines and parameters of governance and cost limits to health care plans operated by state-owned companies.

The main objective of the resolutions is to make feasible the sustainability and the economic, financial and actuarial balance of the health plans operated by state-owned companies.

The company has up to 48 months to adjust the AMS health plan to this new regulation provisions and is assessing the financial impacts it may cause, including among others, a possible decrease in its actuarial liability following the parity basis of contribution, between the Company and the participants, determined by this rule.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

18.4. Net actuarial liabilities and expenses, and fair value of plans assets

 

a)

Changes in the actuarial liabilities, in the fair value of the assets and in the amounts recognized in the statement of financial position

 

     2019  
     Pension
Plans
    Medical
Plan
             
     Petros
Renegotiated (*)
    Petros
Non-renegotiated (*)
    Petros 2     AMS     Other
plans
    Total  

Changes in the present value of obligations

            

Obligations at the beginning of the year

     16,689       5,372       996       12,236       112       35,405  

Discontinued operations

     (892     (304     (58     (651     —         (1,905

Interest expense

     1,357       431       83       1,024       6       2,901  

Current service cost

     51       6       39       208       2       306  

Contributions paid by participants

     82       16       —         —         —         98  

Benefits paid

     (1,097     (420     (33     (442     (2     (1,994

Remeasurement: Experience (gains) / losses (**)

     1,165       17       (34     (2,489     (7     (1,348

Remeasurement: (gains) / losses - demographic assumptions

     45       59       (43     (169     (1     (109

Remeasurement: (gains) / losses - financial assumptions

     4,044       957       747       2,747       13       8,508  

Others

     —         —         —         —         (84     (84

Cumulative Translation Adjustment

     (525     (179     (25     (478     (2     (1,209
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Obligations at the end of the year

     20,919       5,955       1,672       11,986       37       40,569  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in the fair value of plan assets

            

Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year

     9,537       2,492       585       —         41       12,655  

Discontinued operations

     (493     (128     (42     —         —         (663

Interest income

     847       226       48       —         2       1,123  

Contributions paid by the sponsor (Company)

     342       108       —         442       7       899  

Contributions paid by participants

     82       16       —         —         —         98  

Term of financial commitment (TFC) paid by the Company

     725       273       —         —         —         998  

Benefits Paid

     (1,097     (420     (33     (442     (2     (1,994

Remeasurement: Return on plan assets due to lower interest income

     1,099       218       143       —         2       1,462  

Others

     —         —         —         —         (36     (36

Cumulative Translation Adjustment

     (354     (94     (18     —         (1     (467
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year

     10,688       2,691       683       —         13       14,075  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in the Statement of Financial Position

            

Present value of obligations

     20,919       5,955       1,672       11,986       37       40,569  

( -) Fair value of plan assets

     (10,688     (2,691     (683     —         (13     (14,075
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net actuarial liability as of December 31,

     10,231       3,264       989       11,986       24       26,494  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in the net actuarial liability

            

Balance as of January 1,

     7,152       2,880       411       12,236       71       22,750  

Discontinued operations

     (399     (176     (17     (651     (1     (1,244

Remeasurement effects recognized in other comprehensive income

     4,155       815       527       89       3       5,589  

Costs incurred in the period

     51       6       40       208       2       307  

Current service cost

     510       205       35       1,024       5       1,779  

Contributions paid

     (340     (107     —         (442     (7     (897

Payments related to Term of financial commitment (TFC)

     (717     (269     —         —         —         (985

Others

     —         —         —         —         (48     (48

Cumulative Translation Adjustment

     (181     (90     (7     (478     (1     (757
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31,

     10,231       3,264       989       11,986       24       26,494  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*)

It includes the changes in Pertros plan, PPR and PPNR plans.

(**)

It includes additional constribuitons of participants regarding the deficit settlement plan as set out in note 23.1.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

     2018  
     Pension
Plan
    Medical
Plan
       
     Petros     Petros 2     AMS     Other
plans
    Total  

Changes in the present value of obligations

          

Obligations at the beginning of the year

     25,081       887       10,802       85       36,855  

Interest expense:

     2,111       77       927       4       3,119  

Current service cost

     83       33       155       7       278  

Contributions paid by participants

     374       —         —         —         374  

Benefits paid

     (2,173     (35     (456     (3     (2,667

Remeasurement: Experience (gains) / losses (*)

     (1,373     8       (115     —         (1,480

Remeasurement: (gains) / losses - demographic assumptions

     80       —         176       —         256  

Remeasurement: (gains) / losses - financial assumptions

     1,577       165       2,412       (2     4,152  

Others

     —         —         —         34       34  

Cumulative Translation Adjustment

     (3,699     (139     (1,665     (13     (5,516
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Obligations at the end of the year

     22,061       996       12,236       112       35,405  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in the fair value of plan assets

          

Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year

     14,353       627       —         45       15,025  

Interest income

     1,203       54       —         —         1,257  

Contributions paid by the sponsor (Company)

     278       —         321       —         599  

Contributions paid by participants

     374       —         —         —         374  

Term of financial commitment (TFC) paid by the Company

     223       —         —         —         223  

Benefits Paid

     (2,401     (38     (504     (3     (2,946

Remeasurement: Return on plan assets due to lower interest income

     (233     35       —         (4     (202

Others

     —         —         —         3       3  

Cumulative Translation Adjustment

     (1,768     (93     183       —         (1,678
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year

     12,029       585       —         41       12,655  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in the Statement of Financial Position

          

Present value of obligations

     22,061       996       12,236       112       35,405  

( -) Fair value of plan assets

     (12,029     (585     —         (41     (12,655
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net actuarial liability as of December 31,

     10,032       411       12,236       71       22,750  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in the net actuarial liability

          

Balance as of January 1,

     10,728       260       10,802       40       21,830  

Remeasurement effects recognized in other comprehensive income

     517       138       2,473       2       3,130  

Costs incurred in the period

     991       56       1,082       11       2,140  

Current service cost

     908       23       927       4       1,862  

Contributions paid

     (278     —         (321     —         (599

Payments related to Term of financial commitment (TFC)

     (223     —         —         —         (223

Others

     —         —         —         31       31  

Cumulative Translation Adjustment

     (2,611     (66     (2,727     (17     (5,421
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31,

     10,032       411       12,236       71       22,750  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*)

It includes additional constribuitons of participants regarding the deficit settlement plan as set out in note 23.1

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

b)

Defined benefit costs

 

                                                     
     2019  
     Pension
Plans
     Medical
Plan
               
     Petros
Renegotiated
     Petros Non -
renegotiated
     Petros 2      AMS      Other Plans      Total  

Related to active employees:

     160        27        58        466        4        715  

Related to retirees

     401        184        17        766        3        1,371  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net expenses for the year

     561        211        75        1,232        7        2,086  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

                                                              
     2018  
     Pension
Plans
     Medical
Plan
               
     Petros      Petros
Renegotiated
     Petros Non -
renegotiated
     Petros 2      AMS      Other Plans      Total  

Related to active employees:

     63        132        32        43        340        7        617  

Related to retirees

     198        386        126        10        678        3        1,401  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net expenses for the year

     261        518        158        53        1,018        10        2,018  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

                                            
     2017  
     Pension Plans      Medical
Plan
               
     Petros      Petros 2      AMS      Other
Plans
     Total  

Related to active employees:

     331        60        377        10        778  

Related to retirees

     862        12        916        1        1,791  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net expenses for the year

     1,193        72        1,293        11        2,569  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

c)

Sensitivity analysis of the defined benefit plans

The effect of a 100 basis points (bps) change in the assumed discount rate and medical cost trend rate is as set out below:

 

     Discount Rate      Medical Cost  
2019    Pension Benefits      Medical Benefits      Medical Benefits  
     +100 bps     -100 bps      +100 bps     -100 bps      +100 bps      -100 bps  

Pension Obligation

     (3,195     4,444        (1,623     2,073        2,063        (1,171

Current Service cost and interest cost

     16       91        (70     86        228        (121

 

2018    Discount Rate      Medical Cost  
     Pension Benefits      Medical Benefits      Medical Benefits  
     +100 bps     -100 bps      +100 bps     -100 bps      +100 bps      -100 bps  

Pension Obligation

     (1,714     3,889        (1,498     1,869        1,994        (1,005

Current Service cost and interest cost

     13       140        (74     89        248        (117

 

d)

Actuarial assumptions

 

    2019  
Assumptions   PPSP-R Pre-70     PPSP-R Post-70     PPSP-NR Pre-70     PPSP-NR Post-70     PP2     AMS  

Nominal discount rate (including inflation)(1)

    6.82%       7.13%       6.81%       7.10%       7.30%       7.19%  

Nominal expected salary growth (including inflation) (2)

    4.61%       4.61%       4.34%       4.34%       6.40%      
according to
security plan
 
 

Expected changes in medical and hospital costs (3)

    n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       10.46% a 3.50% p.a.  

Mortality table

   

EX-PETROS 2016

(bidecremental

 

   

EX-PETROS 2013

(bidecremental

 

   

EX-PETROS 2020

(bidecremental

 

   

EX-PETROS 2020

(bidecremental

 

   
AT-2000 female,
smoothed in a 10%
 
 
   

EX-PETROS 2013

(bidecremental

 

Disability table

    n/a       American group       n/a       American group      
American group
reduced by 40%
 
 
    American group  

Mortality table for disabled participants

   
MI 2006, by gender,
smoothed in a 20%
 
 
    AT-49 male      
MI 2006, by gender,
smoothed in a 20%
 
 
    AT-49 male       IAPB 1957 strong       AT-49 male  

Age of retirement

   
Male, 56 years /
Female, 55 years
 
 
   
Male, 56 years /
Female, 55 years
 
 
   
Male, 58 years /
Female, 56 years
 
 
   
Male, 58 years /
Female, 56 years
 
 
    1st eligibility      
Male, 56 years /
Female, 55 years
 
 

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

     2018  
Assumptions    PPR     PPNR     Petros 2      AMS  

Nominal discount rate (including inflation)(1)

     9.11%       9.08%       9.22%        9.16%  

Nominal expected salary growth (including inflation) (2)

     For 2019: 5.55%       For 2019: 5.40%       For 2019: 7.28%       

according to

security plan

 

 

Expected changes in medical and hospital costs (3)

     As of 2020: 5.33%       As of 2020: 5.24%       As of 2020: 6.84%  

Expected changes in medical and hospital costs (3)

     n/a       n/a       n/a        12.03% to 4% p.a.  

Mortality table

    

EX-PETROS 2013

(bidecremental

 

   

EX-PETROS 2017

(bidecremental

 

   
AT-2000 female,
smoothed in a 10%
 
 
    

EX-PETROS 2013

(bidecremental

 

Disability table

     American group       American group      
American group
reduced by 40%
 
 
     American group  

Mortality table for disabled participants

     AT-49 male       AT-49 male       IAPB 1957 strong        AT-49 male  

Age of retirement

    
Male, 56 years /
Female, 55 years
 
 
   
Male, 58 years /
Female, 56 years
 
 
    1st eligibility       
Male, 56 years /
Female, 55 years
 
 

 

(1)

Inflation reflects market projections: 3.61% for 2019 and converging to 3.5% in 2026 onwards.

(2)

Expected salary growth only of Petrobras, the sponsor, based on the Salaries and Benefits Plan.

(3)

Decreasing rate, converging in 30 years to the long-term expected inflation. Refers only to Petrobras (sponsor) rate.

 

e)

Expected maturity analysis of pension and medical benefits

 

     2019  
     Pension Plan      Medical Plan                
     Petros
Renegotiated
     Petros Non -
renegotiated
     Petros 2      AMS      Other Plans      Total  

Up to 1 Year

     1,064        445        35        378        1        1,923  

1 To 2 Years

     5,018        1,990        183        2,109        5        9,305  

2 To 3 Years

     4,165        1,554        187        2,134        6        8,046  

3 To 4 Years

     3,254        1,121        189        1,889        6        6,459  

Over 4 Years

     7,418        845        1,078        5,476        19        14,836  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     20,919        5,955        1,672        11,986        37        40,569  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

18.5. Other defined contribution plans

Petrobras, through its subsidiaries in Brazil and abroad, also sponsors other defined contribution pension plans for employees. Contributions paid amounting to US$ 2 in 2019 (US$ 3 in 2018) were recognized in the statement of income.

18.6. Accounting policy for post-employment defined benefit

Actuarial commitments related to post-employment defined benefit plans and health-care plans are recognized as liabilities in the statement of financial position based on actuarial calculations which are revised annually by an independent qualified actuary (updating for material changes in actuarial assumptions and estimates of expected future benefits), using the projected unit credit method, net of the fair value of plan assets, when applicable, from which the obligations are to be directly settled. Under the projected credit unit method, each period of service gives rise to an additional unit of benefit entitlement and each unit is measured separately to determine the final obligation. Actuarial assumptions include demographic assumptions, financial assumptions, medical costs estimates, historical data related to benefits paid and employee contributions.

Service cost are accounted for within results and comprises: (i) current service cost, which is the increase in the present value of the defined benefit obligation resulting from employee service in the current period; (ii) past service cost, which is the change in the present value of the defined benefit obligation for employee service in prior periods, resulting from a plan amendment (the introduction, modification, or withdrawal of a defined benefit plan) or a curtailment (a significant reduction by the entity in the number of employees covered by a plan); and (iii) any gain or loss on settlement.

Net interest on the net defined benefit liability (asset) is the change during the period in the net defined benefit liability (asset) that arises from the passage of time. Such interest is accounted for in results.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability (asset) is recognized in shareholders’ equity, in other comprehensive income, and comprises: (i) actuarial gains and losses and; (ii) the return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in net interest on the net defined benefit liability (asset).

The Company also contributes amounts to defined contribution plans, that are expensed when incurred and are computed based on a percentage of salaries.

 

19.

Provisions for legal proceedings

19.1. Provisions for legal proceedings, judicial deposits and contingent liabilities

The Company recognizes provisions based on the best estimate of the costs of proceedings for which it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required and that can be reliably estimated. These proceedings mainly include:

 

   

Labor claims, in particular: (i) opt-out claims related to a review of the methodology by which the minimum compensation based on an employee’s position and work schedule (Remuneração Mínima por Nível e Regime - RMNR) is calculated; (ii) lawsuits relating to overtime pay and (iii) actions of outsourced employees;

 

   

Tax claims including: (i) claims relating to Brazilian federal tax credits applied that were disallowed; and (ii) alleged misappropriation of VAT (ICMS) tax credits;

 

   

Civil claims relating to: (i) collection of royalties over the shale extraction; (ii) compensation of loss of profits; (iii) penalties applied by ANP relating to measurement systems; and (iv) litigations involving the company Sete Brasil.

 

   

Environmental claims for compensation relating to an environmental accident in the State of Paraná, in 2000.

Provisions for legal proceedings are set out as follows:

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Current and Non-current liabilities

     

Labor claims

     895        1,093  

Tax claims

     463        491  

Civil claims

     1,523        5,710  

Environmental claims

     232        111  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     3,113        7,405  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     —          3,482  

Non-current liabilities

     3,113        3,923  

 

     Jan-Dec/2019      Jan-Dec/2018  

Opening Balance

     7,405        7,026  

Additions, net of reversals

     1,290        1,325  

Use of provision (*)

     (5,332      (650

Accruals and charges

     233        736  

Transfer to assets held for sale

     (289      —    

Others

     22        95  

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (216      (1,127
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing Balance

     3,113        7,405  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

It includes the US$ 2,866 relating to approval of the Class Action agreement, US$ 903 relating to an agreement regarding the Parque das Baleias field, and US$ 656 relating to the proceeding regarding drilling rig Titanium Explorer.

In preparing its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company considered all available information concerning legal proceedings in which the Company is a defendant, in order to estimate the amounts of obligations and probability that outflows of resources will be required.

The main additions to provisions for legal proceedings in the year ended December 31, 2019 relate to (i) litigations involving the company Sete Brasil, in the amount of US$ 740, including an arbitration award favorable to Petrobras, in the last quarter of 2019, which reduced the estimate of losses; (ii) the Conduct Adjustment Declaration (“TAC”) to close the public civil action requesting the environmental licensing of Comperj, in the amount of US$ 208, which was transferred to other current liabilities, after the TAC becoming effective; (iii) ICMS debts under the ICMS Agreement 7/2019 in the states of Bahia and Ceará, in the amount of US$ 94; (iv) compensation relating to an environmental accident in the State of Paraná for US$ 155; and (v) action for the cancellation of collection of production taxes in the amount of US$ 66.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

19.2. Judicial deposits

Judicial deposits made in connection with legal proceedings are set out in the table below according to the nature of the corresponding lawsuits:

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Non-current assets

     

Tax

     5,926        4,563  

Labor

     1,056        1,161  

Civil

     1,082        823  

Environmental

     160        160  

Others

     12        4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     8,236        6,711  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Opening Balance

     6,711        5,582  

Additions

     2,021        1,883  

Use

     (187      (86

Accruals and charges

     329        294  

Transfer to assets held for sale

     (313      —    

Others

     (1      26  

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (324      (988
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing Balance

     8,236        6,711  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In 2019, the Company made judicial deposits in the amount of US$ 2,021, including: (i) US$ 710 related to the chartering of platforms due to the legal dispute related to the IRRF; (ii) US$ 456 referring to IRPJ and CSLL for not adding the profits of subsidiaries domiciled abroad to the IRPJ and CSLL calculation base; (iii) US$ 177 related to questions from the ANP about differences in the calculation of royalties and special participation; (iv) US$ 177 related to the civil lawsuit related to IPI credit, whose author is Triunfo Agro Industrial. On the other hand, there was a reduction of US$ 313, mainly due to the sale of interest in BR Distribuidora.

19.3. Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities for which either the Company is unable to make a reliable estimate of the expected financial effect that might result from resolution of the proceeding, or a cash outflow is not probable, are not recognized as liabilities in the financial statements but are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements, unless the likelihood of any outflow of resources embodying economic benefits is considered remote.

The estimates of contingent liabilities for legal proceedings are indexed to inflation and updated by applicable interest rates. As of December 31, 2019, estimated contingent liabilities for which the possibility of loss is not considered remote are set out in the following table:

 

Nature    12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Tax

     32,376        37,290  

Labor

     9,734        8,619  

Civil - General

     5,977        6,539  

Civil - Environmental

     1,576        4,221  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     49,663        56,669  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-55


Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The tables below detail the main causes of tax, civil, environmental and labor nature, whose expectations of losses are classified as possible.

 

            Estimate  
Description of tax matters    12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Plaintiff: Secretariat of the Federal Revenue of Brazil

     

1) Withholding income tax (IRRF), Contribution of Intervention in the Economic Domain (CIDE), Social Integration Program (PIS) and Contribution to Social Security Financing (COFINS) on remittances for payments of vessel charters.

     

Current status: The claim about the incidence of withholding income tax (Imposto de Renda Retido na Fonte- IRRF) on remittances for payments of vessel charters, occurred from 1999 to 2002, involves the legality of the normative rule issued by the Federal Revenue of Brazil, which ensured no taxation over those remittances. The Company considers the likelihood of loss as possible, since there are decisions from Superior Courts favorable to the understanding of the Company, and will continue to defend its opinion.

The other claims, concerning CIDE and PIS/COFINS, involve lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages, for which the Company understands there is a possible likelihood of loss, since there are legal predictions in line with the position of the Company.

     11,632        11,568  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

2) Income from foreign subsidiaries and associates located outside Brazil not included in the computation of taxable income (IRPJ and CSLL).

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages. The Company considers the likelihood of loss as possible, since there are decisions from Superior Courts favorable to the understanding of the Company. In 2019, the company received a new infraction notice.

     5,224        5,208  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

3) Requests to compensate federal taxes disallowed by the Brazilian Federal Tax Authority.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages. The company obtained a final decision at CARF, canceling part of the debts.

     1,019        3,156  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

4) Incidence of social security contributions over contingent bonuses paid to employees.

     

Current status: Awaiting defense judgment and appeals at the administrative and judicial levels.

     992        929  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

5) Collection of Contribution of Intervention in the Economic Domain (CIDE) on transactions with fuel retailers and service stations protected by judicial injunctions determining that fuel sales were made without gross-up of such tax.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different judicial stages.

     579        588  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

6) Deduction from the basis of calculation of taxable income (income tax - IRPJ and social contribution - CSLL) of several expenses related to employee benefits.

     

Current status: The claim involves lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages.

     536        542  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: Municipal governments of the cities of Anchieta, Aracruz, Guarapari, Itapemirim, Marataízes, Linhares, Vila Velha and Vitória

     

7) Alleged failure to withhold and pay tax on services provided offshore (ISSQN) in favor of some municipalities in the State of Espírito Santo, under the allegation that the service was performed in their “respective coastal waters”.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages.

     1,250        1,123  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: States of SP, RJ, BA, PA, AL, MA and PB Finance Departments

     

8) VAT (ICMS) and VAT credits on internal consumption of bunker fuel and marine diesel, destined to chartered vessels.

     

Current status: This claim involves several tax notices from the states, including two new material notices applied in the third quarter of 2018, which are in different administrative and judicial stages.

     1,191        1,323  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: States of RJ and AL Finance Departments

     

9) VAT (ICMS) on dispatch of liquid natural gas (LNG) and C5+ (tax document not accepted by the tax authority), as well as challenges on the rights to this VAT tax credit.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages.

     1,098        1,198  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: States of RJ, AL, AM, PA, BA, GO, MA, SP and PE Finance Departments

     

10) Alleged failure to write-down VAT (ICMS) credits related to zero tax rated or non-taxable sales made by the Company and its customers.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages. New assessments were added in 2019.

     1,058        942  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: State of Rio de Janeiro Finance Department

     

11) The plaintiff alegges that the transfers without segregating VAT (ICMS), under the special regime, reduced the total credits of the central department.

     

Current status: The Company presented administrative defense from the notices issued, pending court assessment.

     989        800  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: States of SP and RS Finance Departments

     

12) Collection of VAT (ICMS) related to natural gas imports from Bolivia, alleging that these states were the final destination (consumers) of the imported gas.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages, as well as three civil lawsuits in the Federal Supreme Court.

     640        740  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: States of RJ, SP, PR, RO and MG Finance Departments

     

13) Additional VAT (ICMS) due to differences in rates on jet fuel sales to airlines in the domestic market, among other questions relating to the use of tax benefits.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages.

     634        965  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: States of RJ Finance Departments

     

 

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14) Appropriation of ICMS credit on the acquisition of goods (products in general) that, in the understanding of the inspection, would fit into the concept of material for use and consumption, being the tax credit undue.

     

Current status: The issue involves several administrative and judicial proceedings. There were new infraction notices in 2019, partially offset by the inclusion of ICMS debts in state amnesty programs.

     602        589  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: States of PR, AM, BA, ES, PA, PE, SP, PB and AL Finance Departments

     

15) Incidence of VAT (ICMS) over alleged differences in the control of physical and fiscal inventories.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different administrative and judicial levels. Exposure reduction due to the inclusion of VAT (ICMS) debts in state amnesty programs.

     571        890  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: State of SP Finance Department

     

16) Deferral of payment of VAT (ICMS) taxes on B100 Biodiesel sales and the charge of a 7% VAT rate on B100 on Biodiesel interstate sales, including states in the Midwest, North and Northeast regions of Brazil and the State of Espírito Santo.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages. In 2019, the company obtained final favorable decisions, contributing to the partial reduction of the exposure.

     565        659  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: States of RJ, SP, ES, BA, PE, RS, AL, SE, CE and RN Finance Departments

     

17) Misappropriation of VAT tax credit (ICMS) on the acquisitions of goods that, per the tax authorities, are not related to property, plant and equipment.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different judicial stages. Exposure reduction due to the inclusion of ICMS debts in state amnesty programs.

     562        900  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: States of RJ, SP, SE and BA Finance Departments

     

18) Misappropriation of VAT tax credit (ICMS) on the acquisitions of drills and chemicals used in the formulation of drilling fluid, per the tax authorities.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages. In 2019, the company obtained final favorable decisions, contributing to the partial reduction of the exposure.

     511        567  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: State of BA Finance Department

     

19) Alleged incorrect application of VAT (ICMS) tax base with respect to interstate sales of natural gas transport through city-gates in the State of Pernambuco destined to the distributors in that State. The Finance Department of the State of Pernambuco understands that activity as being an industrial activity which could not be characterized as an interstate sale transaction (considering that the Company has facilities located in Pernambuco), consequently charging the difference on the tax levied on the sale and transfer transactions.

     

Current status: This claim involves lawsuits in different judicial stages. Exposure reduction due to the inclusion of ICMS debts in state amnesty programs.

     8        304  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: States of GO, PA, RJ, RR, SC, SP and TO.

     

20) Charge of VAT (ICMS) on remittance and symbolic return of jet fuel to retail establishment which, in the understanding of the tax authority, should have retention and collection of the ICMS for the subsequent operations, since it is considered a remittance to a retail taxpayer established in the State.

     

Current status: The exposure was zeroed due to the Petrobras Distribuidora follow-on in July 2019.

     —          373  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

21) Other tax matters

     2,715        3,926  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total for tax matters

     32,376        37,290  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

            Estimate  
Description of civil matters    12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Plaintiff: Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis - ANP

     

1) Administrative proceedings challenging an ANP order requiring Petrobras to pay additional special participation fees and royalties (production taxes) with respect to several fields. It also includes contention about fines imposed by ANP due to alleged failure to comply with the minimum exploration activities program, as well as alleged irregularities relating to compliance with oil and gas industry regulation.

     

Current status: The claims involve lawsuits in different administrative and judicial stages.

     1,520        1,663  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

2) Proceedings challenging an ANP order requiring Petrobras to unite Lula and Cernambi fields on the BM-S-11 joint venture; to unite Baúna and Piracicaba fields; to unite Tartaruga Verde and Mestiça fields; and to unite Baleia Anã, Baleia Azul, Baleia Franca, Cachalote, Caxaréu, Jubarte and Pirambu, in the Parque das Baleias complex, which would cause changes in the payment of special participation charges.

     

Current status: This list involves claims that are disputed in court and in arbitration proceedings, as follows:

     

a) Lula and Cernanbi: initially, the Company made judicial deposits for the alleged differences resulting from the special participation. However, with the reversal of the favorable injunction, the payment of these alleged differences were made directly to ANP, and such judicial deposits were resumed in the 2nd Quarter of 2019. Arbitration remains suspended by court decision;

     

b) Baúna and Piracicaba: the Court reassessed previous decision that disallowed judicial deposits, therefore the Company is currently depositing the controversial amounts. The arbitration is stayed.

     

c) Tartaruga Verde and Mestiça: The Company has authorization to make the judicial deposits relating to these fields. The Regional Federal Court of the Second Region has the opinion that the Chamber of Arbitration has jurisdiction on this claim and the arbitration is ongoing.

     391        287  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: Several plaintiffs in Brazil and EIG Management Company in USA

     

3) Arbitration in Brazil and lawsuit in the USA regarding Sete Brasil.

     

Current status: This list involves claims that are disputed in court and in arbitration proceedings, as follows:

     

a) Lula and Cernanbi: initially, the Company made judicial deposits for the alleged differences resulting from the special participation. However, with the reversal of the favorable injunction, the arbitration is stayed and currently the payment of these alleged differences have been made directly to ANP, until a final judicial decision is handed down.

     

b) Baúna and Piracicaba: the Court reassessed previous decision that disallowed judicial deposits, therefore the Company is currently depositing the controversial amounts. The arbitration is stayed.

     

c) Tartaruga Verde and Mestiça: The Company has authorization to make the judicial deposits relating to these fields. The Regional Federal Court of the Second Region has the opinion that the Chamber of Arbitration has jurisdiction on this claim and the arbitration is ongoing. On both parties initiative, the arbitration is stayed.

     

d) Parque das Baleias complex: the Judiciary stated decisions allowing the arbitration with ANP. Therefore, the Chamber of Arbitration disallowed ANP to charge for special participation, establishing that Petrobras should provide collateral on the debt to be negotiated. On both parties initiative, the arbitration is stayed, with the objective of seeking an alternative to solve this dispute, which amounts to US$ 2.8 billion at December 31, 2018. In December 2018, the ANP held a hearing presenting a draft of the preliminary agreement developed by the technical departments of Petrobras and ANP, including the calculation of the updated amounts of special participation due up the last quarter of 2018, totaling US$ 0.9 billion. Therefore, the Company believes, as of December 31, 2018, that an outflow of resources in this amount is probable to settle the controversy with the ANP and, as a result, recognized a provision for this proceeding in 2018.

     1,024        2,082  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: Agência Estadual de Regulação de Serviços Públicos de Energia, Transportes e Comunicações da Bahia (AGERBA)

     

4) Public Civil Action (ACP) to discuss the alleged illegality of the gas supply made by the company to its Nitrogenated Fertilizer Production Unit (FAFEN / BA).

     

Current status: The lawsuit is at the Bahia Court of Justice awaiting judgment of an appeal filed by the company.

     299        278  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

5) Other civil matters

     2,743        2,229  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total for civil matters

     5,977        6,539  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

            Estimate  
Description of labor matters    12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Plaintiff: Employees and Sindipetro Union of ES, RJ, BA, MG, SP, PE, PB, RN, CE, PI, PR and SC.

     

1) Actions requiring a review of the methodology by which the minimum compensation based on an employee’s position and work schedule (Remuneração Mínima por Nível e Regime - RMNR) is calculated.

     

Current status: In 2018, the Superior Labor Court (Tribunal Superior do Trabalho - TST) denied the special appeal filed by the Company. Petrobras filed a Motion for Clarification on the decision, which was denied by the TST. The Company will file the appropriate appeal. On July 26, 2018, a minister of the Superior Federal Court (Superior Tribunal Federal - STF) granted Petrobras’ request to prevent the effects of the judgment of the TST, determining the suspension of individual and class actions on this subject, pending the deliberation on this matter in the Supreme Court or further deliberation of the rapporteur minister assigned to this case. On August 13, 2018, the rapporteur confirmed the decision of the minister and extended the decision to the ongoing actions on the matter, suspending all cases relating to this subject.

     7,732        6,254  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: Sindipetro of Norte Fluminense – SINDIPETRO/NF

     

2) The plaintiff claims Petrobras failed to pay overtime for standby work exceeding 12-hours per day. It also demands that the Company respects a 12-hour limit of standby work per workday, as well as an 11-hour period for rest between workdays, subject to a daily fine.

 

     

Current status: Transfer to remote loss due to the decision of the TST that denied to follow up the appeal of the SINDIPETRO / NF.

 

     14        352  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

3) Other labor matters

     1,988        2,013  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total for labor matters

     9,734        8,619  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
            Estimate  
Description of environmental matters    12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Plaintiff: Ministério Público do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

     

1) Legal proceeding related to specific performance obligations, indemnification and compensation for damages related to an environmental accident that occurred in the State of Paraná on July 16, 2000.

     

Current status: The court partially ruled in favor of the plaintiff. However, both parties (the plaintiff and the Company) filed an appeal. In the third quarter of 2019, there was a reduction on the contingent liability, with a provision of US$ 150 being recognized as other income and expenses.

     470        901  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: Instituto Brasileiro de Meio Ambiente - IBAMA and Ministério Público Federal

     

2) Administrative proceedings arising from environmental fines related to exploration and production operations (Upstream) contested because of disagreement over the interpretation and application of standards by IBAMA, as well as a public civil action filed by the Ministério Público Federal for alleged environmental damage due to the accidental sinking of P-36 Platform.

     

Current status: A number of defense trials and the administrative appeal regarding the fines are pending, and others are under judicial discussion. With respect to the civil action, the Company appealed the ruling that was unfavorable in the lower court and monitors the use of the procedure that will be judged by the Regional Federal Court.

     326        400  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plaintiff: Ministério Público do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

     

3) Five public civil actions filed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro against Petrobras, the State Environmental Institute - INEA and Rio de Janeiro State, requesting proof of compliance with regulation relating to the environmental licensing of COMPERJ, complementation of technical researchs, as well as compensation for collective material and moral damages.

     

Current status: The main claim was closed due to the signing of the conduct adjustment term (TAC) between the parties, resulting in an obligation of US$ 208, while, in the remaining four actions, the parties are in negotiations for solution through again TAC, which resulted in the transfer of exposure to remote loss and a provision of US$ 13.

 

     —          2,096  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

4) Other environmental matters

     780        824  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total for environmental matters

     1,576        4,221  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

19.4. Class action and related proceedings

19.4.1. Class action and related proceedings in the USA

Under the Class action Settlement, Petrobras (together with its subsidiary PGF) agreed to pay US$ 2,950 to resolve claims in two installments of US$ 983 and a further installment of US$ 984. Accordingly, the Company charged US$ 3,449 to its statement of income for the last quarter of 2017 as other income and expenses, taking into account the gross up of tax related to Petrobras’s portion of the settlement. The three installments were deposited on March 1, 2018, July 2, 2018 and January 15, 2019 into an escrow account designated by the lead plaintiff and accounted for as other current assets. However, certain objectors had appealed the District Court’s final decision to approve the Class Action Settlement.

On August 30, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit confirmed the decision approving the agreement for the Class Action Settlement and, therefore, the agreement is no longer subject to appeals.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

On September 24, 2019, the District Court authorized the beginning of the distribution of the amounts deposited in the escrow account designated by the lead plaintiff to investors who had their claims admitted by that Court.

Thus, the installments deposited in the escrow account were offset with the liability accounted for as current provision for legal proceedings.

In connection with consummated settlements of Individual Actions, the company charged US$ 456, during the years 2016 to 2018, to the statement of income as other income and expenses. In 2019, there were no new payments.

19.4.2. Class action in the Netherlands

On January 23, 2017, the Stichting Petrobras Compensation Foundation (“Foundation”) filed a class action before the district court in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, against Petrobras parent company and Petrobras International Braspetro B.V. (PIBBV), Petrobras Global Finance B.V. (PGF), Petrobras Oil & Gas B.V. (PO&G) and some former managers of Petrobras.

The Foundation allegedly represents the interests of an unidentified group of investors and alleges that based on the facts uncovered by the Lava Jato investigation the defendants acted unlawfully towards investors. Based on the allegations, the Foundation seeks a number of declaratory relieves from the Dutch court.

The Company filed their first response to the claim on May 3, 2017 (first docket date), presenting the law firms that will defend these companies and requesting a hearing to discuss some aspects of the case.

On August 23, 2017, a hearing was held at the District Court in Rotterdam (“Court”) to establish the timeframe for proceedings. Petrobras (and other defendants) presented preliminary defenses on November 29, 2017 and the Foundation presented its response on March 28, 2018. On June 28, 2018, a hearing was held for the parties to present oral arguments. On September 19, 2018, the Court rendered its interim decision in the motion proceedings in which it accepted jurisdiction in most of 7 claims of the Foundation, without any assessment on the merits of the case.

On April 16, 2019, a hearing was held to present oral arguments on some procedural issues of this Class action.

On January 29, 2020, the Court determined that shareholders who understand Portuguese and / or who bought shares through intermediaries or other agents who understand that language, among other shareholders, are subject to the arbitration clause provided for in the Company’s Bylaws, remaining out of the collective action proposed by the Foundation. The Court also considered the binding effect of the agreement signed to close the United States’ Class action. In this way, the Foundation needs to demonstrate that it represents a sufficient number of investors to justify pursuing collective action in the Netherlands. The Foundation must answer some questions raised by the Court by May 6, 2020. After the presentation of the answers by the Foundation, Petrobras will have 12 weeks to respond.

This collective action involves complex issues that are subject to substantial uncertainties and depend on a number of factors such as the standing of the Foundation as the alleged representative of the investors’ interests, the applicable rules to this complaint, the information produced the evidentiary phase of the proceedings, analysis by experts, the timing of court decisions and rulings by the court on key issues, and the Foundation only seeks declaratory reliefs in this collective action. Currently, it is not possible to determine if the Company will be found responsible for the payment of compensation in subsequent individual complaints after this action as this assessment depends on the outcome of these complex issues. Moreover, it is uncertain which investors will be able to file subsequent individual complaints related to this matter against the Company.

In addition, the allegations asserted are broad, span a multi-year period and involve a wide range of activities, and, at the current stage, the impacts of such allegations are highly uncertain. The uncertainties inherent in all such matters affect the amount and timing of the ultimate resolution of these actions. As a result, the Company is unable to make a reliable estimate of eventual loss arising from this action. The company is victim of the corruption scheme uncovered by the Lava Jato investigation and aims to present and prove this before the Dutch Court.

The uncertainties inherent in all such matters do not enable the company to identify possible risks related to this action. Compensation for the alleged damages will only be determined by court rulings on complaints to be filed by individual investors. The Foundation is not able to demand compensation for damages.

The Company denies the allegations presented by the Foundation and intend to defend themselves vigorously.

19.4.3. Arbitrations in Brazil

Petrobras is also currently a party to 5 arbitration proceedings brought by Brazilian and foreign investors that purchased Petrobras’ shares traded in Brazilian Stock Exchange (B3),alleging financial losses caused by facts uncovered in the Lava Jato investigation.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

These claims involve complex issues that are subject to substantial uncertainties and depend on a number of factors such as the novelty of the legal theories, the timing of the Chamber of Arbitration decisions, the information produced in discoveryand analysisby retained experts.

Moreover, the claims asserted are broad and span a multi-year period. The uncertainties inherent in all such matters affect the amount and timing of their ultimate resolution. As a result, the Company is unable to make a reliable estimate of eventual loss arising from such arbitrations asserted. The Company denies the allegations presented by these investors and intends to defend these claims vigorously.

Depending on the outcome of these complaints, the Company may have to pay substantial amounts, which may cause a significant effect on its financial condition, its financial statements or consolidated cash flow in a certain period.

On September 17, 2019, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court (STF) abrogated the Commitment Assumption Agreement signed with the Brazilian Prosecutor’s Office (MPF). Thus, the Company has no longer the possibility of using half of the amount of US$ 683 paid on January 30, 2019 to the Brazilian authorities, as provided for in the agreement, in compliance with the subsequently abrogated agreement, in the event of any convictions in these arbitrations. The new allocation of the amount paid is described in the “Allocation Agreement” between the Brazilian Attorney General’s Office and the Presidency of the Chamber of Deputies, with the intervention of the Presidency of the Federal Senate and the Attorney General of the National Treasury, which was approved by the STF and whose negotiation was not attended by Petrobras.

19.4.4. Arbitrations in Argentina

On September 11, 2018, Petrobras was served of an arbitral claim filed by Consumidores Financieros Asociación Civil para su Defensa (“Association”) against the company and other individuals and legal entities, before the “Tribunal de Arbitraje General de la Bolsa de Comercio de Buenos Aires”. Among other issues, the Association alleges Petrobras’ liability for a supposed loss of market value of Petrobras’ shares in Argentina, due to proceedings related to Lava Jato investigation.

On June 14, 2019, the Company informed that the Chamber of Arbitration recognized the withdrawal of the arbitration due to the fact that the Association had not paid the arbitration fee within the established period. The Association appealed to the Argentine Judiciary against this decision, which was rejected on November 20, 2019. The Association filed a new appeal addressed to the Argentine Supreme Court, pending a final decision.

Petrobras denies the allegations presented by the Association and intends to defend itself vigorously.

19.5. Other arbitrations in Argentina

Petrobras was included as a defendant in criminal actions in Argentina:

 

   

Criminal action related to an alleged fraudulent offer of securities for alleged non-compliance with the obligation to publish “press release” in the Argentine market about the existence of a class action filed by Consumidores Financieros Asociación Civil para su Defensa before the Commercial Court, according to the provisions of the Argentine capital market law. Petrobras was never mentioned in the scope of the referred collective action. Petrobras presented procedural defenses in the criminal action that have not yet been judged by the court. This criminal action is pending before the Criminal Economic Court No. 3 of the city of Buenos Aires;

 

   

Criminal action related to an alleged fraudulent offer of securities, when Petrobras allegedly declared false data in its financial statements prior to 2015. Petrobras presented procedural defenses that have not yet been judged by the court. This criminal action is pending before the Criminal Economic Court No. 2 of the city of Buenos Aires.

19.6. Accounting policy for provisions for legal proceedings and contingent liabilities

Provisions are recognized when: (i) the company has a present obligation as a result of a past event; (ii) it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and (iii) the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated.

Contingent liabilities are not recognized but are disclosed in explanatory notes when the likelihood of outflows is possible, including those whose amounts cannot be estimated.

The methodology used to estimate the provisions is described in note 4.5.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

19.7. Tax recoveries under dispute

19.7.1. Deduction of VAT tax (ICMS) from the basis of calculation of PIS and COFINS

The Company filed complaints against Brazilian Federal Government challenging the constitutionality of the inclusion, from 2001 to 2017, of VAT tax within the calculation basis of PIS and COFINS.

The Brazilian Supreme Court ruled on this matter, on March 2017, determining that such tax must not be included in the computation. However, the Brazilian Federal Government filed a motion to clarification in October 2017, and its assessment by the court is still pending.

The Regional Federal Court ruled in favor to the Company in August 2018, reinforcing the decision of the Brazilian Supreme Court.

The Company is gathering all the amounts involved in this matter, which covers a long period of time, and is not yet able to reasonably estimate this contingent asset prior to the issuance of these financial statements. In January 2019, the Company’s appeal was fully upheld to cover the period claimed in the lawsuit. Currently, the appeal filed by the Brazilian Government is awaiting judgment.

Considering that judicial discussions about the methodology for calculating the credit are still pending, the contingent asset could not be estimated.

19.7.2. Accounting policy for contingent assets

Contingent assets are not recognized, but are disclosed in explanatory notes when the inflow of economic benefits is considered probable. However, if the inflow of economic benefits is virtually certain, the related asset is not a contingent asset and it is recognized.

 

20.

Provision for decommissioning costs

 

Non-current liabilities    Jan-Dec/2019      Jan-Dec/2018  

Opening balance

     15,133        14,143  

Adjustment to provision

     5,642        4,129  

Transfers related to liabilities held for sale (*)

     (3,071      (1,221

Payments made

     (502      (481

Interest accrued

     699        649  

Others

     3        51  

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (444      (2,137
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

     17,460        15,133  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

In 2018, it includes transfer to held for sale related to Campos basin (US$ 850); Potiguar basin (US$ 70) and Lapa field (US$ 11), as set out in note 7.

The estimates for abandonment and dismantling of oil and natural gas producing properties are revised annually at December 31 along with the annual process of oil and gas reserves certification and whenever an indication of significant change in the assumptions used in the estimates occurs.

In 2019, the adjustment to this provision in the amount of US$ 5,642 primarily reflects (i) anticipation of timing of abandonments in some projects, (ii) reduction in the risk-adjusted discount rate from 5.17% p.a. in 2018 to 4.22% p.a. in 2019, due to the decrease in the country risk; and (iii) the revision of estimates of wells and equipment costs and the decrease in the average-term of abandonment of some producing fields.

20.1. Accounting policy for decommissioning costs

Decommissioning costs are future obligations to perform environmental restoration, dismantle and remove a facility when the Company terminates its operations due to the exhaustion of the area or economic feasibility. Its most significant asset removal obligations involve removal and disposal of offshore oil and gas production facilities in Brazil and abroad. The Company recognizes these obligations at present value of the expected future cash outflows, using a risk-free discount rate, adjusted to the Company’s credit risk. Due to the long periods until the abandonment date, variations in the discount rate can cause large variations in the recognized amount.

These estimates require performing complex calculations that involve significant judgment since: i) the obligations are long-term; ii)the contracts and regulations contain subjective definitions of the removal and remediation practices and criteria involved when the events actually occur; and iii) asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, along with regulations, environmental, safety and public relations considerations.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements - unaudited
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The Company is constantly conducting studies to incorporate technologies and procedures to optimize the process of abandonment, considering industry best practices. However, the timing and amounts of future cash flows are subject to significant uncertainty.

The estimates of decommissioning costs are reviewed annually based on current information on expected costs and recovery plans. When the revision of the estimates results in an increase in the provision for decommissioning costs, there is a corresponding increase in assets. Otherwise, when there is a decrease in the provision, there is a corresponding reduction in assets, without exceeding its book value. Any excess portion is immediately recognized in the statement of income within other expenses.

 

21.

The “Lava Jato (Car Wash) Operation” and its effects on the Company

In the preparation of these annual consolidated financial statements, the Company did not identify any additional information that would affect the adopted calculation methodology to write off, in the third quarter of 2014, US$ 2,527 of capitalized costs representing overpayments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment. The Company will continue to monitor these investigations for additional information in order to assess their potential impact on the adjustment made.

The Company has been closely monitoring the investigations and cooperating fully with the Brazilian Federal Police (Polícia Federal), the Brazilian Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministério Público Federal), the Federal Auditor’s Office (Tribunal de Contas da União – TCU) and the General Federal Inspector’s Office (Controladoria Geral da União) in the investigation of all crimes and irregularities.

In addition, the Company has been taking the necessary procedural steps to seek compensation for damages suffered from the improper payments scheme, including those related to its reputation.

To the extent that any of the proceedings resulting from the Lava Jato investigation involve leniency agreements with cartel members or plea agreements with individuals pursuant to which they agree to return funds, the Company may be entitled to receive a portion of such funds. Nevertheless, the Company is unable to reliably estimate further recoverable amounts at this moment. Any recoverable amount will be recognized as income when received or when their economic benefits become virtually certain.

In addition to US$ 912 recovered from Lava Jato investigation through December 31, 2018 (US$ 457 in 2018, US$ 252 in 2017, US$ 131 in 2016 and US$ 72 in 2015), new leniency and plea agreements in 2019 entitled the Company to receive funds with respect to compensation for damages in the amount of US$ 220. This amounts were accounted for as other income and expenses. Thus, the total amount recovered from Lava Jato investigation through December 31, 2019 was US$ 1,132.

21.1. Investigations involving the Company

21.1.1. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice inquiries

On September 27, 2018, the Company settled the open matters with the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation which encompassed the Company’s internal controls, books and records, and financial statements from 2003 to 2012.

These agreements fully resolve the inquiries carried out by these authorities. Following this agreement, the Company paid US$ 85 to the DoJ in 2018 and the same amount to the SEC in the first quarter of 2019. Additionally, the agreements also credit a remittance of US$ 683 to the Brazilian authorities, which Petrobras deposited in January 2019 into a court deposit account. The Company fully recognized the effects of these settlements as other income and expenses in the third quarter of 2018.

This resolution met the best interest of the Company and its shareholders, and eliminated uncertainties, risks, burdens and costs of potential litigations in the United States.

21.1.2. U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission - CFTC

In May 2019, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) contacted Petrobras with an inquiry regarding trading activities related to the Lava Jato Operation. Petrobras reiterates that it continues to cooperate with the regulatory authorities, including the CFTC, regarding any inquiry.

21.1.3. Order of civil inquiry - Brazilian Public Prosecutor’s Office

On December 15, 2015, the State of São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office issued the Order of Civil Inquiry 01/2015, establishing a civil proceeding to investigate the existence of potential damages caused by Petrobras to investors in the Brazilian stock market. The Brazilian Attorney General’s Office (Procuradoria Geral da República) assessed this civil proceeding and determined that the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office has no authority over this matter, which must be presided over by the Brazilian Public Prosecutor’s Office. The Company has provided all relevant information requested by the authorities.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

22.

Commitment to purchase natural gas

The Company has an active GSA agreement (Gas Supply Agreement ) entered into with Yacimentos Petroliferos Fiscales Bolivianos – YPFB to purchase certain minimum volumes of natural gas at prices linked to the international fuel oil price. This contract will be outstanding until all contracted volume has been delivered, based on an extension clause.

Thus, as of December 31, 2019, the total amount of the GSA for 2020 is nearly 11.01 billion cubic meters of natural gas (equivalent to 30.08 million cubic meters per day) and corresponds to a total estimated value of US$ 1.82 billion. Based on the aforementioned extension clause, the Company expects purchases to continue through October 2022, on the same volume basis according to current indicators, representing an estimated additional amount of US$ 5.6 billion, for the period from January 1, 2020 to October 30, 2022.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

23.

Property, plant and equipment

23.1. By class of assets

 

     Land, buildings
and
improvement
    Equipment
and other
assets (*)
    Assets under
construction (**)
    Exploration and
development
costs (oil and
gas producing
properties) (***)
    Right-of-use
assets
    Total  

Balance at January 1, 2018

     6,665       75,002       42,521       52,462       —         176,650  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additions

     4       1,751       8,707       6       —         10,468  

Additions to / review of estimates of decommissioning costs

     —         —         —         4,778       —         4,778  

Capitalized borrowing costs

     —         —         1,810       —         —         1,810  

Write-offs                

     (61     (16     (327     (27     —         (431

Transfers

     (93     13,720       (18,667     4,086       —         (954

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

     (359     (6,529     —         (5,028     —         (11,916

Impairment recognition

     —         (742     (250     (1,686     —         (2,678

Impairment reversal

     —         309       23       226       —         558  

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (946     (7,467     (4,891     (7,598     —         (20,902
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

     5,210       76,028       28,926       47,219       —         157,383  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost

     7,829       128,711       28,926       77,141       —         242,607  

Accumulated depreciation, amortization and depletion

     (2,619     (52,683     —         (29,922     —         (85,224
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

     5,210       76,028       28,926       47,219       —         157,383  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adoption of IFRS 16

     —         —         —         —         26,575       26,575  

Additions

     —         2,784       5,269       145       2,332       10,530  

Additions to / review of estimates of decommissioning

costs (note 20)

     —         —         —         5,497       —         5,497  

Capitalized borrowing costs

     —         —         1,336       —         —         1,336  

Reimbursement under the Transfer of Rights Agreement

     —         —         —         (8,319     —         (8,319

Write-offs

     (3     (92     (293     (407     (21     (816

Transfers

     478       6,055       (10,466     4,879       126       1,072  

Transfers to assets held for sale

     (803     (4,942     (621     (1,204     (1,339     (8,909

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

     (231     (6,106     —         (4,756     (5,019     (16,112

Impairment recognition (note 25)

     (2     (1,298     (1,453     (743     (161     (3,657

Impairment reversal (note 25)

     —         236       80       459       —         775  

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (199     (2,287     (826     (1,873     (905     (6,090
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     4,450       70,378       21,952       40,897       21,588       159,265  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost

     6,856       119,993       21,952       70,647       26,440       245,888  

Accumulated depreciation, amortization and depletion

     (2,406     (49,615     —         (29,750     (4,852     (86,623
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     4,450       70,378       21,952       40,897       21,588       159,265  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average useful life in years

    

40

(25 to 50

(except land

 

   

20

(3 to 31

 

     

Units of
production
method
 
 
 
   

8

(2 to 47

 

 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(*)

It is composed of platforms, refineries, thermoelectric power plants, natural gas processing plants, pipelines, rights of use and other operating, storage and production plants, also including exploration and production assets depreciated based on the units of production method.

(**)

See note 31 for assets under construction by operating segment.

(***)

It is composed of exploration and production assets related to wells, abandonment and dismantling of areas, signature bonuses associated to proved reserves and other costs directly associated with the exploration and production of oil and gas.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, additions to property, plant and equipment primarily relate to the development of oil and gas production in the pre-salt area, mainly the entry into operation of two new production systems: FPSO P-77, located in the Búzios field; and FPSO P-68, located in the Berbigão field.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

At the adoption of IFRS 16, the Company recognized right-of-use assets at an amount equal to the lease liability. The rights-of-use at December 31, 2019 comprise the following underlying assets:

 

     Platforms     Vessels     Properties     Others     Total  

Balance at December 31, 2018

          

Adoption of IFRS 16

     15,111       9,775       798       891       26,575  

Additions

     881       1,412       27       12       2,332  

Write-offs

     —         (11     (4     (6     (21

Transfers

     —         —         —         126       126  

Transfers to assets held for sale

     (1,037     —         —         (302     (1,339

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

     (2,230     (2,489     (101     (199     (5,019

Impairment recognition

     —         —         —         (161     (161

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (529     (352     (29     5       (905
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     12,196       8,335       691       366       21,588  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost

     14,378       10,698       778       586       26,440  

Accumulated depreciation, amortization and depletion

     (2,182     (2,363     (87     (220     (4,852

Without contractual readjustment clauses

     (624     (1,942     —         (49     (2,615

With contractual readjustment clauses - Brazil

     (11     (308     (87     (168     (574

With contractual readjustment clauses – abroad

     (1,547     (113     —         (3     (1,663
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     12,196       8,335       691       366       21,588  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

23.2. Estimated useful life

 

     Buildings and improvements, equipment and other assets  
Estimated useful life    Cost      Accumulated
depreciation
     Balance at
December 31, 2019
 

5 years or less

     4,413        (3,248      1,165  

6 - 10 years

     9,633        (6,468      3,165  

11 - 15 years

     1,200        (562      638  

16 - 20 years

     37,176        (17,162      20,014  

21 - 25 years

     25,576        (5,272      20,304  

25 - 30 years

     9,054        (2,753      6,301  

30 years or more

     23,940        (8,827      15,113  

Units of production method

     15,687        (7,729      7,958  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     126,679        (52,021      74,658  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Buildings and improvements

     6,686        (2,406      4,280  

Equipment and other assets

     119,993        (49,615      70,378  

23.3. Accounting policy for Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are measured at the cost to acquire or construct, including all costs necessary to bring the asset to working condition for its intended use and the estimated cost of dismantling and removing the asset and restoring the site, reduced by accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

A condition for continuing to operate certain items of property, plant and equipment, such as industrial plants, offshore plants and vessels is the performance of regular major inspections and maintenance. Those expenditures are capitalized if a maintenance campaign is expected to occur, at least, 12 months later. Otherwise, they are expensed when incurred. The capitalized costs are depreciated over the period through the next major maintenance date.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Spare parts are capitalized when they are expected to be used during more than one period and can only be used in connection with an item of property, plant and equipment. These are depreciated over the useful life of the item of property, plant and equipment to which they relate.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of qualifying assets are capitalized as part of the costs of these assets. General borrowing costs are capitalized based on the Company’s weighted average cost of borrowings outstanding applied over the balance of assets under construction. Loans directly attributable to the construction of assets are only considered at this average rate when their financial charges are incurred upon completion of the specific construction. In general, the Company suspends capitalization of borrowing to the extent investments in a qualifying asset hibernates during a period greater than one year or whenever the asset is prepared for its intended use.

Assets directly associated to oil and gas production of a contract area without useful life lower than the estimated length of reserves depletion, such as signature bonuses, are depreciated or amortized based on the unit-of-production method.

The unit-of-production method of depreciation (amortization) is computed based on a unit of production basis (monthly production) over the proved developed oil and gas reserves, except for signature bonuses for which unit of production method takes into account the monthly production over the total proved oil and gas reserves on a field-by-field basis.

Assets related to oil and gas production with useful lives shorter than the life of the field; floating platforms and other assets unrelated to oil and gas production are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, which are reviewed annually. Note 23.2 provides further information on the estimated useful life by class of assets. Lands are not depreciated.

Right-of-use assets are presented as property, plant and equipment and, according to the useful lives of their respective underlying assets and the characteristics of lease agreements (term, asset transfer or exercise of call option), are depreciated using the straight-line method based on contractual terms.

23.4. Concession for exploration of oil and natural gas – Transfer of Rights Agreement (“Cessão Onerosa”)

On November 1, 2019, Petrobras signed with the Brazilian Federal Government the Amendment to the Transfer of Rights Agreement, which provides for the reimbursement to the Company of US$ 9,058, as established in the Resolution 5/2019 enacted in April 2019 by the National Energy Policy Council (Conselho Nacional de Política Energética – CNPE). The signing of the Amendment occurred prior to the surplus bidding round related to this agreement, after reaching the budget solution for the payment by the Federal Government to Petrobras and after meeting other conditions established by the Company’s Board of Directors.

At this signing, the Company recognized accounts receivable offsetting property, plant and equipment, in the amount of US$ 8,319 (considering the average exchange rate prevailing in the fourth quarter of the year).

On December 11, 2019, the Brazilian Federal Government paid this amount to the Company, bearing interest at SELIC rate from the date of the signing, in the amount of US$ 43, accounted for as finance income.

Information on the result of the Bidding Round for the Oil Surplus of the Transfer of Rights Agreement is presented in note 24.1.

23.5. Oil and Gas fields operated by Petrobras returned to ANP

In 2019, the following oil and gas fields were returned to ANP: Juruá, Iraúna, Barra do Ipiranga, Lagoa Branca, Nativo Oeste, Jacupemba, Mariricu Oeste, Rio Barra Seca, Rio Itaúnas Leste, Rio São Mateus Oeste and Sul de Sapinhoá. These fields were returned to ANP mainly due to their economic unfeasibility and, as a consequence, the Company wrote off the amount of US$ 74 in addition to impairments recognized in prior years.

In 2018, the following oil and gas fields were returned to ANP: Japiim, Camarão Norte, part of Espadarte and part of Sibite. These fields were returned to ANP mainly due to their economic unfeasibility and, as a consequence, the Company wrote off the amount of US$ 0.1 in addition to impairments recognized in prior years.

In 2017, the Mosquito, Siri and Saíra oil and gas fields were returned to ANP also due to economic unfeasibility. However, due to impairment losses recorded for these assets in prior years, these write-offs amounted to US$ 0.1.

23.6. Capitalization rate used to determine the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalization

The capitalization rate used to determine the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalization was the weighted average of the borrowing costs applicable to the borrowings that were outstanding during the period, other than borrowings made specifically for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the capitalization rate was 6.40% p.a. (6.35% p.a. for the year ended December 31, 2018).

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

24.

Intangible assets

24.1. By class of assets

 

     Rights and
Concessions
     Software      Goodwill      Total  

Balance at January 1, 2018

     1,801        321        218        2,340  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Addition

     841        85        —          926  

Capitalized borrowing costs

     —          4        —          4  

Write-offs

     (15      —          —          (15

Transfers

     (42      6        14        (22

Amortization

     (14      (98      —          (112

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (241      (46      (29      (316
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

     2,330        272        203        2,805  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cost

     2,549        1,592        203        4,344  

Accumulated amortization

     (219      (1,320      —          (1,539
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

     2,330        272        203        2,805  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Addition

     1,339        74        —          1,413  

Concession for exploration of oil and natural gas – Oil Surplus on theTransfer of rights agreement

     15,341        —          —          15,341  

Capitalized borrowing costs

     —          4        —          4  

Write-offs

     (11      (6      —          (17

Transfers

     (83      (47      (137      (267

Amortization

     (10      (60      —          (70

Impairment recognition

     (1      —          —          (1

Impairment reversal

     —          —          —          —    

Cumulative translation adjustment

     263        5        (3      265  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     19,168        242        63        19,473  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cost

     19,290        1,469        63        20,822  

Accumulated amortization

     (122      (1,227      —          (1,349
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     19,168        242        63        19,473  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Estimated useful life in years

     (*      5        Indefinite     

 

(*)

Mainly composed of assets with indefinite useful lives, which are reviewed annually to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life assessment.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, no impairment was identified on goodwill.

Result of the 16th ANP Bidding Round

On October 10, 2019, Petrobras acquired one offshore block in the 16th Bidding Round under the Concession Regime, held by the ANP. Petrobras will hold a 70% stake and will be the operator of the block C-M-477, located in deep waters in the Campos basin, in partnership with BP Energy do Brasil Ltda. The total amount of the signature bonus paid in the last quarter of 2019 was US$ 348.

Result of Bidding Round for the Surplus Volume of the Assignment Agreement

On November 6, 2019, the ANP held the Bidding Round for the Surplus Volume of the Assignment Agreement, when the Company acquired, in partnership with CNODC Brasil Petróleo e Gás Ltda. (5%) and CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda. (5%), the exploration and production rights of the surplus volume of Búzios field from the Assignment Agreement. The Company will hold a 90% interest and will be the operator of the field, whose signature bonus corresponding to the Company’s interest was US$ 14,912, paid in December 2019. The co-participation agreement should be finalized by September 2021, and until this date, partners in the consortium have the right to acquire an additional 5% interest each or, on the deadline, if the agreement has not been signed with Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. (PPSA), to leave the consortium.

Petrobras also acquired the exploration and production rights of the surplus volume of Itapu field, whose signature bonus, paid in December 2019, was US$ 429.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

24.2. Exploration rights - production sharing contract

On June 7, 2018, the Company acquired three offshore blocks (Uirapuru, Dois Irmãos and Três Marias) in partnership with other companies through the 4th ANP Bidding Round under the production-sharing regime. The Company will be the operator of all these blocks and the total amount of the signature bonus paid by the Company in September 2018 was US$ 254.

On September 28, 2018, the Company acquired the Sudoeste de Tartaruga Verde block through the 5th ANP Bidding Round under the production-sharing regime. The Company offered the minimum profit oil set forth in this bidding and a bonus of US$ 17 was paid in November 2018.

On November 7, 2019, the ANP held the 6th Bidding Round under the production sharing regime. Petrobras acquired, in partnership with CNODC Brasil Petróleo e Gás Ltda. (20%), the Aram block, located in the Santos Basin. Petrobras will be the operator of the field with an 80% interest. The signature bonus corresponding to the Company’s interest was US$ 982, paid in December 2019.

24.2.1. Accounting policy for intangible assets

Intangible assets are measured at the acquisition cost, less accumulated amortization and impairment losses and comprise rights and concessions, including the signature bonus paid for concessions and production sharing agreements for exploration and production of oil and natural gas (capitalized acquisition costs), public service concessions, trademarks, patents, software and goodwill.

Internally-generated intangible assets are not capitalized and are expensed as incurred, except for development costs that meet the recognition criteria related to the completion and use of assets, probable future economic benefits, and others.

Signature bonuses paid for obtaining concessions for exploration of crude oil and natural gas are initially capitalized within intangible assets and are transferred to property, plant and equipment when the technical and commercial feasibility can be demonstrated. They are not amortized before their transference to property, plant and equipment. In the event of a signature bonus encompassing an area in which exploration activities occur in different locations, a portion of the signature bonus is transferred to property, plant and equipment whenever the technical and commercial feasibility can be demonstrated for a specific location, based on the ratio between the oil in place at this location and total reservoir volume of the area. Intangible assets with a finite useful life, other than amounts paid for obtaining concessions for exploration of oil and natural gas of producing properties, are amortized over the useful life of the asset on a straight-line basis.

Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are not amortized but are tested annually for impairment. Their useful lives are reviewed annually.

24.3. Exploration rights returned to the Brazilian Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels - Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP)

In 2019, 12 exploration areas were returned to the ANP, in Sergipe-Alagoas, Potiguar, Recôncavo and Parnaíba basins (9 in 2018 in Recôncavo and Parnaíba basins), totaling US$ 3 (US$ 6 in 2018).

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

25.

Impairment

The Company annually tests its assets for impairment or when there is an indication that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. In 2019, impairment losses and reversals were primarily recognized in the last quarter reflecting assets management and updates of mid and long-term assumptions used in the Company’s Strategic Plan for the 2020-2024 period, approved on November 27, 2019.

A higher estimate in decommissioning costs of E&P fields contributed significantly to the recognition of impairment losses, notably in CGUs Papa-Terra, in Campos basin, Uruguá group (Uruguá and Tambaú fields), in Santos basin, and CVIT group (Canapu and Golfinho fields), in Espírito Santo basin. This increase is mainly due to: (i) reduction in Brent’s projections bringing forward the expected date of abandonment of the producing fields; and (ii) reduction in the discount rate, reflecting an improvement in the yields of the Company’s bonds throughout 2019. Such losses were offset by the reversals associated with gains in sales (realized and expected) of producing fields in Brazil.

These losses were partially offset by the effects of reversals relating to the disposal of producing fields in Brasil.

Additionally, impairment losses were recognized due to: the postponing of project to conclude the second refining unit of Abreu e Lima refining plant (RNEST); the decision to discontinue the use of P-37 platform in Marlim field; the sale of the drillship Sonda Vitória 10,000 (NS-30); the investments made due to the Conduct Adjustment Declaration (“TAC”) to close the public civil action requesting the environmental licensing of Comperj.

The table below shows the impairment losses, net of reversals, recognized within the statement of income in 2019, 2018 and 2017:

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Assets or CGU by nature (*)    Carrying
amount
     Recoverable amount
(**)
     Impairment
(***)
    Business
segment
     Comments  
     2019  

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

             

Producing properties relating to oil and gas activities in Brazil (several CGUs)

     105,532        196,994        1,859       E&P - Brazil        item (a1)  

Transpetro’s fleet of vessels

     1,347        1,453        (103     RTM - Brazil        item (b1)  

Oil and gas production and drilling equipment in Brazil

     314        —          307       E&P - Brazil        item (c1)  

UFN III

     204        —          200       RTM - Brazil        item (d1)  

Comperj

     330        117        209       RTM - Brazil        item (e1)  

Second refining unit in RNEST

     1,043        498        534       RTM - Brazil        item (f1)  

Oil and gas production and drilling equipment abroad

     343        15        333       E&P - Abroad        item (g1)  

Others

     33        —          67       Several     
        

 

 

      
           3,406       
        

 

 

      

Assets classified as held for sale

             

Producing properties Pampo and Enchova fields

     328        808        (494     E&P - Brazil        item 25.2  

Producing properties Pampo and Frade field

     19        105        (84     E&P - Brazil        item 25.2  

Producing properties Pampo and Maromba field

     —          68        (67     E&P - Brazil        item 25.2  

PO&G BV

     444        354        89       E&P - Abroad        item 25.2  

Others

     592        468        (2     Several     
        

 

 

      

Total

           2,848       
        

 

 

      
     2018  

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

             

Producing properties relating to oil and gas activities in Brazil (several CGUs)

     7,019        9,923        524       E&P - Brazil        item (a2)  

Transpetro’s fleet of vessels

     1,721        1,300        428       RTM - Brazil        item (b2)  

Oil and gas production and drilling equipment in Brazil

     199        6        197       E&P - Brazil        item (c2)  

UFN III

     312        200        114       RTM - Brazil        item (d2)  

Producing properties relating to oil and gas activities Abroad (several CGUs)

     2,258        1,554        715       E&P - Brazil        item (h1)  

GASFOR II

     58        —          59       Gas & Power - Brazil        item (i)  

Comperj

     46        —          47       RTM - Brazil        item (e2)  

Second refining unit RNEST

     1,114        1,092        22       RTM - Brazil        item (f2)  

Others

     666        756        14       Several Segments     
        

 

 

      
           2,120       
        

 

 

      

Assets classified as held for sale

             

Producing properties relating to oil and gas activities in Riacho da Forquilha

     98        459        (34     E&P - Brazil     

Others

     25        109        (81     Several Segments     
        

 

 

      

Total

           2,005       
        

 

 

      
     2017  

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

             

Producing properties relating to oil and gas activities in Brazil (several CGUs)

     11,826        16,070        (870     E&P - Brazil        item (a3)  

Second refining unit in RNEST

     1,716        1,261        464       RTM - Brazil        item (f3)  

Fertilizer Plants

     412        —          412       Gas & Power - Brazil        item (j)  

Oil and gas production and drilling equipment in Brazil

     360        4        363       E&P - Brazil        item (c3)  

Producing properties relating to oil and gas activities abroad (several CGUs)

     215        89        128       E&P - Abroad        item (h2)  

Panamax vessels - Transpetro

     112        —          112       RTM - Brazil        item (k)  

Araucária

     70        —          70       Gas & Power - Brazil        item (l)  

Comperj

     51        —          51       RTM - Brazil        item (e3)  

Conecta and DGM

     38        —          38       Distribution- Abroad        item (m)  

Others

     1,863        1,797        68       Several Segments     
        

 

 

      
           836       
        

 

 

      

Assets classified as held for sale

             

Producing properties relating to oil and gas activities in Roncador

     3,164        2,766        405       E&P - Brazil     

Others

     317        366        (50     Several Segments     
        

 

 

      

Total

           1,191       
        

 

 

      

 

 

(*)

It only includes carrying amounts and recoverable amounts of impaired assets or asses for which reversals were recognized.

(**)

The recoverable amounts of assets for impairment computation were their value in use, except for oil and gas production and drilling equipment that were based on their fair value.

(***)

Reversals are presented in brackets.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

25.1. Impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

For impairment testing purposes, the Company bases its cash flow projections on:

 

   

The estimated useful life of the asset or assets grouped into the CGU, based on the expected use of those assets, considering the Company’s maintenance policy;

 

   

Assumptions and financial budgets/forecasts approved by management for the period corresponding to the expected life cycle of each different business; and

 

   

Pre-tax discount rates derived from the Company’s post-tax weighted average cost of capital (WACC), adjusted by specific risk-premiums in case of projects postponed for an extended period, or specific country-risks, in case of assets abroad. The use of post-tax discount rates in determining value in use does not result in materially different recoverable amounts if pre-tax discount rates had been used.

Information on key assumptions for impairment testing and the definition of Company’s CGUs are presented in notes 4.2 and 4.3, respectively.

During 2019, management identified and assessed the following changes in CGUs:

a) CGUs of E&P: (i) Transfer of Rights Agreement group (extinction of this CGU and formation of six new ones—CGU Itapu; CGU Búzios group; CGU Sépia group; CGU Atapu group; CGU Lula group and CGU Berbigão-Sururu group, following the conclusion of the revision of the Transfer of Rights Agreement and the definition of a new business and management model for assets); (ii) Parques da Baleias group (due to the redefinition of the Jubarte field, approved by the ANP, the Baleia Anã and Cacharéu fields remain in this CGU and the Cachalote and Pirambu fields were removed due to the lack of interdependence of these assets in the generation of cash inflows); (iii) North group (excluding the Corvina field and the P-37 platform, both due to the end of the productive useful life);

b) CGU Natural Gas: the sale of 90% of Transportadora Associada de Gás (TAG) resulted in its exclusion as an asset of the CGU; and

c) CGU Energy: with the failure to sell the Termobahia e Termocamaçari thermoelectric plants, the Company’s management reversed the classification of assets held for sale to property, plant and equipment. Termobahia plant returned to the CGU due to the perspective of its use by Petrobras and its interdependence in cash generation with the other plants of the CGU, while Termocamaçari plant is now assessed separately due to the lack of perspective of operation.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The cash flow projections used to measure the value in use of the CGUs in 2019 were mainly based on average Brent prices and Brazilian real/U.S. dollar average exchange rate:

 

2019                                          
     2020      2021      2022      2023      2024      Long term
Average
 

Average Brent (US$/bbl)

     65        65        65        65        65        65  

Average Brazilian Real (excluding inflation ) - Real /U.S. dollar exchange rate

     3.85        3.79        3.75        3.72        3.7        3.6  

 

2018                                          
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023      Long term
Average
 

Average Brent (US$/bbl)

     66        67        72        75        75        73  

Average Brazilian Real (excluding inflation ) - Real /U.S. dollar exchange rate

     3.64        3.56        3.5        3.46        3.44        3.37  

 

2017                                          
     2018      2019      2020      2021      2022      Long term
Average
 

Average Brent (US$/bbl)

     53        58        66        70        73        71  

Average Brazilian Real (excluding inflation ) - Real /U.S. dollar exchange rate

     3.44        3.47        3.47        3.46        3.49        3.4  

Information on the main impairment losses and reversals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets are described below:

 

a1) Producing properties in Brazil – 2019

Impairment assessment for producing properties in Brazil resulted in US$ 1,859 impairment losses. Cash flow projections were based on financial budgets/forecasts approved by management and the post-tax discount rates (excluding inflation) derived from the WACC for the E&P business of 6.7% p.a. at December 31, 2019. This amount comprises:

Impairment losses in the amount of US$ 2,092, mainly related to the CGUs of Papa-Terra (US$ 369), Uruguá group (US$ 344), CVIT group (US$ 206), Corvina (US$ 158), Piranema (US$ 128), Camorim (US$ 109), Pirambu (US$ 102), Merluza group (US$ 98), Miranga group (US$ 76), Guaricema (US$ 76) and Água Grande group (US$ 72), mainly due to the decrease in estimates for the average Brent price on the projection horizon, to higher estimates for future decommissioning costs, due to the reduction in risk-free discount rates, and to changes in the schedule for removal and treatment of oil and gas production facilities;

Impairment reversals totaling US$ 53 primarily relating to Peroá group (US$ 30) and Castanhal (US$ 12), mainly due to gains in the production curve and accelerated depreciation tax benefit related to Repetro’s new tax model.

a2) Producing properties in Brazil – 2018

Impairment assessment for producing properties in Brazil under the concession regime for oil and gas resulted in a net reversal of impairment losses of US$ (103). Cash flow projections were based on financial budgets/forecasts approved by management and the post-tax discount rates (excluding inflation) derived from the WACC for the E&P business of 7.4% p.a. at December 31, 2018. This amount comprises:

Impairment losses totaling US$ 1,054 primarily related to CGUs Camorim (US$ 140), Linguado (US$ 139), Piranema (US$ 93), Guaricema (US$ 92), Juruá (US$ 91), Bicudo (US$ 83), Caioba (US$ 61), Pper-1 group (US$ 49), Garoupinha (US$ 39), Frade (US$ 39), Castanhal (US$ 36) and Papa Terra (US$ 35). These losses were substantially due to higher estimates of future decommissioning costs driven by costs related to subsea facilities and equipment and depreciation of the Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar.

Reversals of impairment totaling US$ 530 primarily from the CGUs Cvit group (US$ 158), Uruguá group (US$ 151), Ceará Mar group (US$ 50), Dom João (US$ 23), Miranga group (US$ 16), Fazenda Belém group (US$ 13) and Bijupirá-Salema group (US$ 13), due to upward revision in the estimated production curves following a review of certain projects investments, as set out in the BMP 2019-2023.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

a3) Producing properties in Brazil – 2017

Impairment assessment for producing properties in Brazil under the concession regime for oil and gas resulted in a net reversal of impairment losses of US$ 870. Cash flow projections were based on financial budgets/forecasts approved by management and the post-tax discount rates (excluding inflation) derived from the WACC for the E&P business of 7.6% p.a. at December 31, 2017. This amount comprises:

 

   

Reversals of impairment totaling US$ 1,733 primarily from North group (US$ 912), Espadarte and Papa-Terra fields (US$ 125 and US$ 122), Uruguá group (US$ 100), Pampo field (US$ 91), Fazenda Alegre group (US$ 45), Cidade de São Mateus group (US$ 44), Riachuelo field (US$ 40), Fazenda Imbé group (US$ 28), Fazenda Bálsamo field (US$ 26), Peroá group (US$ 25), São Mateus group (US$ 19) and Riacho da Forquilha field (US$ 18). These reversals substantially reflected the lower post-tax real discount rate, the approval of investments in enhancing recovery of mature fields and the lower tax burden set forth in the new tax rules applicable to the oil and gas industry (see note 21.4).

 

   

Impairment losses totaling US$ 863 mainly related to CGUs Piranema (US$ 227), Salgo (US$ 104) Ceara Mar group (US$ 95), Cvit group (US$ 63), Miranga group (US$59), Fazenda Belém group (US$ 49), Frade (US$ 40) Dom João (US$ 27) and Candeias (US$ 18). These losses were substantially driven by an expected acceleration of production cessation reflecting an optimization of investment portfolio, as well as by a lower risk-adjusted discount rate for decommissioning costs, which also increased the costs of assets related to the abandonment and dismantling of these areas.

b1) Transpetro’s fleet of vessels – 2019

The depreciation of Reais against U.S. Dollars used in the projections of the Strategic Plan 2020-2024, compared to the assumptions used in the previous plan, had a positive effect on the cash generation projected in Reais for the CGU, given that freight rates (cash inflows) are quoted in U.S. dollars. Thus, a US$ 103 reversal of impairment was accounted for in 2019. The post-tax discount rate (excluding inflation) in constant currency applied to the transportation sector ranged from 4.3% p.a. to 5.8% p.a.

b2) Transpetro’s fleet of vessels – 2018

The lower freight rates projected in PNG 2019-2023 significantly affected impairment assessment of the Transpetro’s fleet of vessels, resulting in the recognition of impairment losses in the amount of US$ 428 in 2018. The post-tax discount rates (excluding inflation) applied to the transportation sector ranged from 3.8% p.a. to 6.6% p.a.

c1) Oil and gas production and drilling equipment in Brazil – 2019

The Company decided to discontinue the use of P-37 platform in Marlim field, resulting in its exclusion of North group and its independent assessment for impairment, resulting in losses in the amount of US$ 307.

c2) Oil and gas production and drilling equipment in Brazil – 2018

In 2018, impairment losses for oil and gas production and drilling equipment in Brazil that were not directly related to oil and gas producing properties amounted to US$ 197, as a result of: i) ceased operation of the single buoy mooring Monobóia 2 – PDET (US$ 172); ii) lower fair value of certain equipment related to the FPSO P-72 and P- 73 that could not be committed to other projects, when compared to their carrying amount (US$ 24).

c3) Oil and gas production and drilling equipment in Brazil – 2017

In 2017, impairment losses amounted to US$ 363 as a result of: i) lower fair value of certain equipment related to the FPSO P-72 and P- 73 that could not be committed to other projects, when compared to their carrying amount (US$ 127); ii) decommissioning of a crane and launch ferry (US$ 114) and iii) hibernation of equipment of Inhaúma Shipyard excluded from the initial scope of Inhauma logistic center (US$ 125).

d1) Fertilizer Plant - UFN III – 2019

Following the Company’s decision to quit the conclusion of this plant, this asset was written-off, in the amount of US$ 200.

d2) Fertilizer Plant - UFN III – 2018

An impairment loss of US$ 114 was recognized for the fertilizer plant UFN III (Unidade de Fertilizantes e Nitrogenados III) due to its lower fair value.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

e1) Comperj - 2019

Impairment losses amounted to US$ 209, the investments made due to the Conduct Adjustment Declaration (“TAC”) to close the public civil action requesting the environmental licensing of Comperj, as well as to the investments made in the first refining unit facilities of Comperj, which are part of the infrastructure for transporting and processing natural gas from the pre-salt layer in the Santos Basin.

e2) Comperj - 2018

As set forth in BMP 2019-2023, the resumption of the Comperj project still depends on new partnerships. However, the construction of Comperj’s first refining unit facilities that will also support the natural gas processing plant (UPGN) are in progress as the facilities are part of the infrastructure for transporting and processing natural gas from the pre-salt layer in the Santos Basin. Nevertheless, due to the interdependence between such infrastructure and Comperj first refining unit, the Company recognized additional impairment charges, totaling US$ 47 in 2018.

e3) Comperj - 2017

In 2017, the resumption of the Comperj project was still depending on new partnerships. Accordingly, due to the same aforementioned reasons, the Company recognized impairment charges, in 2017, totaling US$ 51.

f1) Second refining unit in RNEST – 2019

The cash flows to measure the value in use of the second refining unit in RNEST take into account the postponing of the beginning of the operation to three years and eight months, triggering impairment losses in the amount of US$ 534. The real discount rate applied was 7.8% p.a. post-tax discount rate derived from the WACC for the refining business, reflecting a specific risk premium for the postponed project.

f2) Second refining unit in RNEST – 2018

The impairment assessment over the second refining unit in RNEST resulted in the recognition an impairment loss amounting to US$ 22, as its start-up was postponed by five months. The real discount rate applied was 7.3% p.a. post-tax discount rate derived from the WACC for the refining business, reflecting a specific risk premium for the postponed project.

f3) Second refining unit in RNEST - 2017

An impairment loss of US$ 464 was recognized for the second refining unit in RNEST. Cash flow projections were based on: financial budgets/forecasts approved by Management; and an 7.7% p.a. post-tax discount rate (excluding inflation) derived from the WACC for the refining business, reflecting a specific risk premium for the postponed project. The impairment loss was mainly attributable to: (i) higher costs of raw materials and ii) lower refining margin, as set forth in BMP 2018-2022.

g1) Oil and gas production and drilling equipment abroad - 2019

In January 2020, the sale of drillship Sonda Vitória 10,000 (NS-30), owned by Drill Ship International B.V.—DSI, a subsidiary of PIB BV, was closed. Thus, impairment losses in the amount of US$ 333 were reconized, due to the difference between the expected sale value and its carrying amount.

h1) Producing properties abroad – 2018

The Company recognized an impairment loss in the amount of US$ 715 with respect to producing properties of oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico. The impairment loss was primarily driven by changes in operational assumptions and discount rate considering the terms of the agreement between the Company and Murphy Oil Corporation in order to establish a joint venture through such assets.

h2) Producing properties abroad – 2017

In 2017, impairment losses of US$ 128 were recognized for E&P assets located in the United States, principally reflecting the expected cessation of production and definitive abandonment of operation in Hadrian South field. Cash flow projection were based on: financial budgets/forecasts approved by Management; 5.7% p.a. post-tax real discount rate (5.5% p.a. in 2016) derived from the WACC for the E&P business in United States.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

i) GASFOR II – 2018

Management decided to halt the development of the GASFOR II project, carried out by TAG, for an extended period. Accordingly, this asset was excluded from the Natural Gas CGU and its impairment test was performed separately. Due to its halt, it is not possible to estimate future cash flows arising from the use of this asset, resulting in the recognition of impairment losses in the amount equal to the carrying amount thereof (US 59).

j) Fertilizer Plants - 2017

The Company decided to halt its operations in the fertilizer plants Camaçari-BA (FAFEN-BA) and Laranjeiras-SE (FAFEN-SE), following its plans to optimize its investment portfolio as set out in BMP 2018-2022, thereby, being removed from the Gas & Power CGU, assessed for impairment separately and their cash flow projections for the period covered by the BMP 2018-2022 were not able to be estimated. Accordingly, an impairment loss amounting to US$ 412 was recognized in 2017 with respect to these fertilizer plants.

k) Panamax vessels – Transpetro - 2017

In December 2017, the decision to hibernate the construction of three vessels of PANAMAX project (EI-512, EI-513 and EI-514) triggered their removal from the Transpetro’s fleet of vessels CGU. These assets were assessed for impairment separately and, as a result, the Company accounted for an impairment loss for the total carrying amounts of these assets (US$ 112).

l) Araucária - 2017

Indications of impairment were identified during this period, such as lower sales volume and prices, as well as higher production costs. Therefore, the Company assessed the related assets for impairment and, as a result, an impairment charge of US$ 70 was recognized primarily in the second quarter of 2017 due to negative cash flow projections that were based on financial budget and forecasts approved by the management and a post-tax real discount rate of 6.6% p.a. derived for the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) for the fertilizer business.

i) Conecta and DGM – 2017

Following prices forecast and current agreements of natural gas supply in Uruguay, the Company recognized impairment losses for intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, in the amount of US$ 38, with respect to concession agreements for natural gas distribution carried out by the subsidiaries Conecta and DGM.

25.1.1. Assets most sensitive to future impairment

Whenever the recoverable amount of an asset or CGU falls below the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to the recoverable amount. The following table presents the assets and CGU most sensitives to future impairment losses, presenting recoverable amounts up to 10% higher than their current carrying amount. Changes in material assumptions for impairment testing may result in the recognition of additional impairment charges on such assets in future periods.

 

    12.31.2019  
    Business
segment
    Carrying
amount
    Recoverable
amount
    Sensitivity (*)  

Producing properties relating to oil and gas activities in Brazil (7 CGUs)

    E&P       10,149       10,626       (585

Thermoelectric plants

    G&P       1,948       2,051       (102

 

(*)

It is based on a 10% reduction in the recoverable amount of CGUs.

25.1.2. Accounting policy for impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with definitive lives are tested for impairment when there is an indication that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Assets are assessed for impairment at the smallest identifiable group that generates largely independent cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets (CGU). Note 4.3 presents detailed information about the Company’s CGUs.

Assets related to development and production of oil and gas assets (fields or group of fields) that have indefinite useful lives, such as goodwill, are tested for impairment annually, irrespective of whether there is any indication of impairment.

Considering the existing synergies between the Company’s assets and businesses, as well as the expectation of the use of its assets for their remaining useful lives, value in use is generally used by the Company for impairment testing purposes. When specifically indicated, the Company assesses differences between its assumptions and assumptions that would be used by market participants in the determination of the fair value of an asset or CGU.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Value in use is estimated based on the present value of the risk-adjusted (for specific risks) future cash flows expected to arise from the continuing use of an asset or cash-generating unit, discounted at pre-tax discount rates obtained from the Company’s post-tax weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Cash flow projections are mainly based on the following assumptions: foreign exchange rates and prices based on the Company’s most recent strategic plan; production curves associated with existing projects in the Company’s portfolio, operating costs reflecting current market conditions, and investments required for carrying out the projects.

Reversal of previously recognized impairment losses may occur for assets other than goodwill.

25.2. Assets classified as held for sale

In 2019, as a result of the Company’s Board of Director approvals for the sale of several assets of the E&P segment, according to note 30, the Company recognized reversals in the amount of US$ 558, considering the net fair value of disposal expenses, mainly in the following assets:

 

   

Pampo and Enchova Project - 10 concessions located in shallow waters in the Campos Basin with impairment reversal of US$ 494 in Badejo, Bicudo, Linguado, Pampo and Trilha fields;

 

   

Bispo Project – impairment reversal in the amount of US$ 84 in Frade field;

 

   

Mangalarga 2 Project - impairment reversal in the amount of US$ 67 in Maromba field;

 

   

PO&G B.V. - Sale of Petrobras Oil & Gas B.V. (PO & GBV), a subsidiary of PIB BV, with impairment losses in the amount of US$ 89;

In 2018, following the Company’s Board of Director approvals for the disposal of certain assets, impairment reversals were accounted for amounting to US$ 115 for assets held for sale, including the effects arising from the sale of onshore producing fields located in Potiguar basin.

In 2017, impairment losses amounting to US$ 355 on assets held for sale were primarily attributable to the sale of 25% interest in Roncador field.

The accounting policy for assets and liabilities held for sale is set out in note 30.4.

25.3. Investments in associates and joint ventures (including goodwill)

Value in use is generally used for impairment test of investments in associates and joint ventures (including goodwill). The basis for estimates of cash flow projections includes: projections covering a period of 5 to 12 years, zero-growth rate perpetuity, budgets, forecasts and assumptions approved by management and a post-tax discount rate derived from the WACC or the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), when applicable.

25.3.1. Accounting policy for impairment of associates and joint ventures

Investments in associates and joint ventures are tested individually for impairment. When performing impairment testing of an equity-accounted investment, goodwill, if it exists, is also considered part of the carrying amount to be compared to the recoverable amount.

Except when specifically indicated, value in use is generally used by the Company for impairment testing purposes in proportion to the Company’s interests in the present value of future cash flow projections via dividends and other distributions.

25.3.2. Investment in publicly traded associate

Braskem S.A.

Braskem’s shares are publicly traded on stock exchanges in Brazil and abroad. As of December 31, 2019, the quoted market value of the Company’s investment in Braskem was US$ 2,223 based on the quoted values of both Petrobras’ interest in Braskem’s common stock (47% of the outstanding shares), and preferred stock (22% of the outstanding shares). However, there is extremely limited trading of the common shares, since non-signatories of the shareholders’ agreement hold only approximately 3% of the common shares.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Given the operational relationship between Petrobras and Braskem, the recoverable amount of the investment for impairment testing purposes was determined based on value in use, considering future cash flow projections and the manner in which the Company can derive value from this investment via dividends and other distributions to arrive at its value in use. As the recoverable amount was higher than the carrying amount, no impairment losses were recognized for this investment.

Cash flow projections to determine the value in use of Braskem were based on the following key assumptions:

 

   

Estimated average exchange rate of R$ 3.85 to U.S.$1.00 in 2019 (converging to R$ 3.60 in the long-term);

 

   

Average Brent crude oil price at US$ 65 in 2020, same price in the long-term;

 

   

Prices of feedstock and petrochemical products reflecting projected international prices;

 

   

Petrochemical products sales volume estimates reflecting projected Brazilian and global G.D.P growth;

 

   

Post-tax real discount rate (excluding inflation) of 8.9%p.a., considering cash flows from dividends; and

 

   

Increases in the EBITDA margin during the growth cycle of the petrochemical industry in the next years and declining in the long-term.

BR Distribuidora

In July 2019, Petrobras further reduced its stake in BR Distribuidora in a follow-on secondary offering of its shares, following which BR Distribuidora became an associate. The equity-accounted investment in BR Distribuidora at December 31, 2019 amounted to US$ 2,684, equivalent to US$ 6.14 (R$ 24.76) per common share. Information on the market value since the date of the transaction presents the following values per common share:

 

   

On December 30, 2019 – US$ 7.46

 

   

Average through the period – US$ 6.87

 

   

Highest quotation in the period – US$ 7.55 (December 27, 2019)

 

   

Lowest quotation in the period – US$ 6.45 (July 23, 2019)

As the fair value of BR is higher than the investment accounted for on the period, the Company estimate this investment is recoverable.

25.3.3. Investments in state-controlled natural gas distributors

In 2019, impairment assessments on investments in state-controlled natural gas distributors did not give rise to any indication that these assets would be impaired, which carrying amount is US$ 1,313. Post-tax real discount rate (excluding inflation) used in such assessment was 5.3% p.a..

25.3.4. Impairment losses on equity-method investments

In 2019, the Company recognized an impairment loss of US$ 4 as results in equity-accounted investments.

In 2018, the Company accounted for a US$ 28 reversal of impairment losses previously recognized as results in equity-accounted investments, substantially attributable to POGBV and Riograndense refinery (RPR).

In 2017, the Company recognized an impairment loss of US$ 20 as results in equity-accounted investments, substantially attributable to the investees Logum, Belém Bioenergia Brasil and Refinaria de Petróleo Riograndense.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

26.

Exploration and evaluation of oil and gas reserves

The exploration and evaluation activities include the search for oil and gas reserves from obtaining the legal rights to explore a specific area to the declaration of the technical and commercial viability of the reserves.

Changes in the balances of capitalized costs directly associated with exploratory wells pending determination of proved reserves and the balance of amounts paid for obtaining rights and concessions for exploration of oil and natural gas (capitalized acquisition costs) are set out in the following table:

 

Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs / Capitalized Acquisition Costs (*)    12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Property plant and equipment

     

Opening Balance

     4,132        4,522  

Additions to capitalized costs pending determination of proved reserves

     510        379  

Capitalized exploratory costs charged to expense

     (216      (10

Transfers upon recognition of proved reserves

     —          (95

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (164      (664
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing Balance

     4,262        4,132  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Intangible Assets (**)

     18,919        1,980  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs / Capitalized Acquisition Costs

     23,181        6,112  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Amounts capitalized and subsequently expensed in the same period have been excluded from this table.

(**)

The signature bonuses related to the results of the 16th ANP bidding round and Surplus Oil of Transfer of Rights Agreement are described in note 24.

Exploration costs recognized in the statement of income and cash used in oil and gas exploration and evaluation activities are set out in the following table:

 

     2019      2018
Reclassified
     2017
Reclassified
 

Exploration costs recognized in the statement of income

        

Geological and geophysical expenses

     477        330        361  

Exploration expenditures written off (includes dry wells and signature bonuses)

     308        87        279  

Contractual penalties

     4        91        152  

Other exploration expenses

     10        16        8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     799        524        800  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash used in :

        

Operating activities

     485        346        371  

Investment activities

     17,265        1,273        1,794  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash used

     17,750        1,619        2,165  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized a provision in the amount of US$ 4 (US$ 91 in US$ 2018 and US$ 152 in 2017) arising from potential contractual penalties for non-compliance with minimum percentages of local content in 125 blocks for which the exploratory phases were concluded.

26.1. Accounting policy for exploration and evaluation of oil and gas reserves

The costs incurred in connection with the exploration, appraisal and development of crude oil and natural gas production are accounted for using the successful efforts method of accounting, as set out below:

 

   

Geological and geophysical costs related to exploration and appraisal activities incurred until economic and technical feasibility can be demonstrated are expensed.

 

   

Amounts paid for obtaining concessions for exploration of crude oil and natural gas (capitalized acquisition costs) are initially capitalized as intangible assets and are transferred to property, plant and equipment once the technical and commercial feasibility can be demonstrated.

 

   

Costs directly attributable to exploratory wells, including their equipment and installations, pending determination of proved reserves are capitalized within property, plant and equipment. In some cases, exploratory wells have discovered oil and gas reserves, but at the moment the drilling is completed they are not yet able to be classified as proved. In such cases, the expenses continue to be capitalized

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

if the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and progress on assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project is under way. An internal commission of technical executives of the Company reviews these conditions monthly for each well, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations. For additional information on proved reserves estimates, see note 4.1.

 

   

Costs related to exploratory wells drilled in areas of unproved reserves are charged to expense when determined to be dry or uneconomic by the aforementioned internal commission.

 

   

Costs related to the construction, installation and completion of infrastructure facilities, such as drilling of development wells, construction of platforms and natural gas processing units, construction of equipment and facilities for the extraction, handling, storing, processing or treating crude oil and natural gas, pipelines, storage facilities, waste disposal facilities and other related costs incurred in connection with the development of proved reserve areas are capitalized within property, plant and equipment.

26.2. Aging of Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs

The following tables set out the amounts of exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period of one year or more after the completion of drilling, the number of projects whose costs have been capitalized for a period greater than one year, and an aging of those amounts by year (including the number of wells relating to those costs):

Aging of capitalized exploratory well costs (*)

 

     2019      2018  

Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period of one year

     219        85  

Exploratory well costs capitalized for a period greater than one year

     4,043        4,047  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalized exploratory well costs

     4,262        4,132  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Number of projects relating to exploratory well costs capitalized for a period greater than one year

     43        49  

 

     Capitalized costs
(2019)
     Number
of wells
 

2018

     54        1  

2017

     48        1  

2016

     292        4  

2015

     852        14  

2014 and previous years

     2,797        46  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year

     4,043        66  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Amounts paid for obtaining rights and concessions for exploration of oil and gas (capitalized acquisition costs) are not included.

Exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period greater than one year since the completion of drilling amount to US$ 4,047. Those costs relate to 43 projects comprising (i) US$3,834 for wells in areas in which there has been ongoing drilling or firmly planned drilling activities in the near term and for which an evaluation plan (“Plano de Avaliação”) has been submitted for approval by ANP; and (ii) US$213 relate to costs incurred to evaluate the reserves and their potential development.

 

27.

Collateral for crude oil exploration concession agreements

The Company has granted collateral to ANP in connection with the performance of the Minimum Exploration Programs established in the concession agreements for petroleum exploration areas in the total amount of US$ 2,801 of which US$ 2,042 were still in force as of December 31, 2019 , net of commitments undertaken. The collateral comprises crude oil from previously identified producing fields, pledged as collateral, amounting to US$ 1,639 and bank guarantees of US$ 403.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

28.

Joint ventures in E&P activities

In line with its strategic objectives, Petrobras operates in association with other companies in joint ventures in Brazil as holder of oil and natural gas exploration and production rights in concessions and production sharing regimes.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company holds interests in 112 joint ventures in partnership with 42 partners, among which Petrobras is the operator in 64 (in 2018, 124 joint ventures, with 44 partners and operator in 72). The partnerships formed in 2018 and 2019 are described below:

 

Consortium    Location   

%

Petrobras

   

%

Partners

    Operator    Year    Additional Information   

ANP Bonus

Petrobras portion

 
Tartaruga Verde Módulo III Espadarte    Campos Basin      50     Petronas – 50   Petrobras    2019    Concession – Disposal of 50% to Petronas      N/A  
Búzios    Santos basin pre-salt      90    

CNODC – 5

CNOOC – 5


  Petrobras    2019   

Production sharing – Transfer of Rights

Surplus Production ANP Bidding Round

     14,912  
C-M-477    Campos Basin      70     BP – 30   Petrobras    2019    Concession - 16ª ANP Bidding Round      348  
Aram    Santos basin pre-salt      80     CNODC – 20   Petrobras    2019    Production sharing - 6ª ANP Bidding Round      982  
Roncador    Campos Basin      75     Equinor – 25   Petrobras    2018    Concession – Disposal of 25% to Equinor      N/A  
Uirapuru    Santos basin pre-salt      30    

ExxonMobil – 28

Equinor – 28

Petrogal – 14


  Petrobras    2018    Production sharing - 4ª ANP Bidding Round      201  
Dois Irmãos    Campos basin pre-salt      45    

BP – 30

Equinor – 25


  Petrobras    2018    Production sharing - 4ª ANP Bidding Round      46  
Três Marias    Santos basin pre-salt      30    

Shell – 40

Chevron – 30


  Petrobras    2018    Production sharing - 4ª ANP Bidding Round      8  
C-M-657    Campos Basin      30    

Exxon – 40

Equinor – 30


  Petrobras    2018    Concession - 15ª ANP Bidding Round      162  
C-M-709    Campos Basin      40    

Exxon – 40

Equinor – 20


  Petrobras    2018    Concession - 15ª ANP Bidding Round      152  
C-M-789    Campos Basin      30    

Exxon – 40

Qatar – 30


  Exxon    2018    Concession - 15ª ANP Bidding Round      215  
C-M-753    Campos Basin      30    

Exxon – 40

Qatar – 30


  Exxon    2018    Concession - 15ª ANP Bidding Round      25  

POT-M-859

POT-M-952

   Potiguar basin      60     Shell – 40   Petrobras    2018    Concession - 15ª ANP Bidding Round      5  
Lapa (BM-S-9A)    Santos basin pre-salt      10    

Total – 35

Shell – 30

Repsol Sinopec – 25


  Total    2018    Concession - Disposal of 35% to Total      N/A  
Iara (BM-S-11A)    Santos basin pre-salt      42,50    

Shell – 25

Total – 22,50

Petrogal – 10


  Petrobras    2018    Concession - Disposal of 22,50% to Total      N/A  

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Partnerships brings benefits through risk sharing, increased investment capacity, technical and technological interchange, aiming at the growth in oil and gas production. The following table presents the production referring to Petrobras’s participation in the joint ventures in which it is an operator:

 

Field    Location   

%

Petrobras

   

%

Partners

   Operator    Petrobras production
portion in 2019
(boed)
   Regime
Lula    Santos basin pre-salt      67,50  

Shell – 23,2%

Petrogal – 9,3%

   Petrobras    768.225    Concession
Roncador    Campos basin      75   Equinor – 25%    Petrobras    144.870    Concession
Sapinhoá    Santos basin pre-salt      45  

Shell – 30%

Repsol Sinopec – 25%

   Petrobras    134.666    Concession
Albacora Leste    Campos basin      90   Repsol Sinopec - 10%    Petrobras    20.010    Concession
Mero    Santos basin pre-salt      40  

Total – 20%

Shell – 20%

CNODC – 10%

CNOOC – 10%

   Petrobras    17.326    Production sharing
Papa-Terra    Campos basin      62,50   Chevron - 37,5%    Petrobras    10.911    Concession
Manati    Camamu basin      35  

Enauta Energia S.A. – 45%

Brasoil – 10%

Geopark – 10%

   Petrobras    7.903    Concession
Berbigão    Santos basin pre-salt      42,50  

Shell – 25%

Total – 22,5%

Petrogal – 10%

   Petrobras    765    Concession

28.1. Accounting policy for joint operations

The E&P partnerships are classified as joint operations, where the Company recognizes according to its interests: i) its assets, including its stake in any assets held jointly ii) its liabilities , including its stake in any liabilities assumed jointly; iii) its sales revenues corresponding to the proportion of its participation in the production resulting from the joint operation; iv) its portion on sales revenues realized directly by the joint operation; and v) its expenses, including the portion of any expenses incurred together.

Assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses relating to the participation in a joint operation are accounted for in accordance with the specific accounting policies applicable to assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.

28.2. Unitization Agreements

Since 2018, Petrobras has entered into Production Individualization Agreements (Acordos de Individualização da Produção - AIPs) with Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. (PPSA) and the Company’s partners (Shell, Petrogal, Repsol and Total) in certain E&P consortiums, submitting these agreements to ANP for approval. As of December 31, 2019, a US$ 113 provision is accounted for within other current liabilities. These agreements provide for cost equalization and production volumes referring to the Berbigão, Sururu, Atapu and Albacora Leste fields. During 2019, Petrobras paid US$ 92 relating to these agreements.

The table below presents the effects of the agreements:

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Opening balance

     159        49  

Additions/(Write-offs) on PP&E

     50        (62

Indexation charges

     4        2  

Payments made

     (92      (100

Other income and expenses

     (2      279  

Cumulative translation adjustments

     (6      (9
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

     113        159  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

28.3. Accounting Policy for unitization agreements

A unitization agreement occurs when a reservoir extends across two or more license or contract areas. In this case, partners pool their individual interests in return for an interest in the overall unit and determine their new stake in the single producing unit.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Events that occurred prior to the unitization agreement may lead to the need for compensation between the partners. At the signing of the AIP, an amount to be reimbursed to the Company will be recognized as an asset only when there is a contractual right to reimbursement or when the reimbursement is practically certain. An amount to be reimbursed by the Company will be recognized as a liability when it derives from a contractual obligation or, when the outflow of funds is deemed probable and the amount can be reliable estimated.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

29.

Investments

29.1. Information on direct subsidiaries, joint arrangements and associates

 

    Main
business segment
    %
Petrobras’
ownership
    % Petrobras’
voting rights
    Share-
holders’

equity
(deficit)
     Net income
(loss) for
the year
    

Country

Subsidiaries

             

Petrobras International Braspetro - PIB BV (i)

    Several       100.00       100.00       41,150        2,350      Netherlands

Petrobras Transporte S.A. - Transpetro

    RT&M       100.00       100.00       884        155      Brazil

Petrobras Logística de Exploração e Produção S.A. - PB-LOG

    E&P       100.00       100.00       907        232      Brazil

Petrobras Gás S.A. - Gaspetro

    Gas & Power       51.00       51.00       538        89      Brazil

Petrobras Biocombustível S.A.

    Corporate, others       100.00       100.00       314        62      Brazil

Liquigás Distribuidora S.A.

    RT&M       100.00       100.00       243        31      Brazil

Araucária Nitrogenados S.A.

    Gas & Power       100.00       100.00       (69      (138    Brazil

Termomacaé Ltda.

    Gas & Power       100.00       100.00       104        40      Brazil

Braspetro Oil Services Company - Brasoil (i)

    Corporate, others       100.00       100.00       107        1      Cayman Islands

Breitener Energética S.A.

    Gas & Power       93.66       93.66       177        (17    Brazil

Termobahia S.A.

    Gas & Power       98.85       98.85       155        20      Brazil

Baixada Santista Energia S.A.

    Gas & Power       100.00       100.00       76        3      Brazil

Petrobras Comercializadora de Energia Ltda. - PBEN

    Gas & Power       100.00       100.00       26        5      Brazil

Fundo de Investimento Imobiliário RB Logística - FII

    E&P       99.20       99.20       22        12      Brazil

Petrobras Negócios Eletrônicos S.A. - E-Petro

    Corporate, others       100.00       100.00       11        2      Brazil

Termomacaé Comercializadora de Energia Ltda

    Gas & Power       100.00       100.00       3        —        Brazil

5283 Participações Ltda.

    Corporate, others       100.00       100.00       —          —        Brazil

Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolívia - Brasil S.A. - TBG

    Gas & Power       51.00       51.00       142        53      Brazil

Joint operations

             

Fábrica Carioca de Catalizadores S.A. - FCC

    RT&M       50.00       50.00       59        12      Brazil

Ibiritermo S.A.

    Gas & Power       50.00       50.00       32        8      Brazil

Joint ventures

             

Logum Logística S.A.

    RT&M       30.00       30.00       259        (19    Brazil

Cia Energética Manauara S.A.

    Gas & Power       40.00       40.00       49        7      Brazil

Petrocoque S.A. Indústria e Comércio

    RT&M       50.00       50.00       48        18      Brazil

Refinaria de Petróleo Riograndense S.A.

    RT&M       33.20       33.20       19        8      Brazil

Brasympe Energia S.A.

    Gas & Power       20.00       20.00       19        3      Brazil

Brentech Energia S.A.

    Gas & Power       30.00       30.00       23        1      Brazil

Metanol do Nordeste S.A. - Metanor

    RT&M       34.54       34.54       12        5      Brazil

Eólica Mangue Seco 1 - Geradora e Comercializadora de Energia Elétrica S.A.

    Gas & Power       49.00       49.00       5        —        Brazil

Eólica Mangue Seco 2 - Geradora e Comercializadora de Energia Elétrica S.A.

    Gas & Power       51.00       51.00       9        —        Brazil

Eólica Mangue Seco 3 - Geradora e Comercializadora de Energia Elétrica S.A.

    Gas & Power       49.00       49.00       10        —        Brazil

Eólica Mangue Seco 4 - Geradora e Comercializadora de Energia Elétrica S.A.

    Gas & Power       49.00       49.00       11        1      Brazil

Companhia de Coque Calcinado de Petróleo S.A. - Coquepar

    RT&M       45.00       45.00       —          —        Brazil

Participações em Complexos Bioenergéticos S.A. - PCBIOS

    Corporate, other       50.00       50.00       —          —        Brazil

Associates

             

Sete Brasil Participações S.A. (iii)

    E&P       5.00       5.00       (6,662      (29    Brazil

Fundo de Investimento em Participações de Sondas - FIP Sondas

    E&P       4.59       4.59       —          —        Brazil

Braskem S.A. (iv)

    RT&M       36.20       47.03       1,840        70      Brazil

UEG Araucária Ltda.

    Gas & Power       18.80       18.80       83        (22    Brazil

Petrobras Distribuidora S.A. - BR (iv)

    Corporate, other       37.50       37.50       2,382        313      Brazil

Transportadora Associada de Gás S.A. - TAG

    Gas & Power       10.00       10.00       2,438        535      Brazil

Deten Química S.A.

    RT&M       27.88       27.88       124        19      Brazil

Energética SUAPE II

    Gas & Power       20.00       20.00       99        37      Brazil

Termoelétrica Potiguar S.A. - TEP

    Gas & Power       20.00       20.00       55        8      Brazil

Nitroclor Ltda.

    RT&M       38.80       38.80       —          —        Brazil

Bioenergética Britarumã S.A.

    Gas & Power       30.00       30.00       —          —        Brazil

Nova Transportadora do Sudeste - NTS

    Gas & Power       10.00       10.00       655        562      Brazil

GNL Gemini LTDA

    Gas & Power       40.00       40.00       33        1      Brazil

 

(i)

Companies abroad with financial statements prepared in foreign currencies.

(ii)

Cover segments abroad in E&P, RTM and Gas & Power segments.

(iii)

Despite the negative amount of net assets, allowance for losses was not recognized as the Company’s obligations with Sete Brasil are limited to the investments made in this associate.

(iv)

Equity and net income at September 30, 2019, most current public information.

In 2019, the Company had the following corporate restructuring:

 

i)

Petrobras Distribuidora S.A. (BR) and Transportadora Associada de Gás S.A. (TAG) became associates.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

ii) Petrobras Logística de Gás (Logigás) was incorporated in Petrobras and Petrobras Netherlands B.V. (PNBV) became a subsidiary of PIB BV.

iii) Petrobras holds now direct interest in Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolívia—Brasil S.A. and GNL Gemini LTDA and Transportadora Sulbrasileira de Gás S.A , former subsidiaries of Logigás.

The main investees of PIB BV are the wholly-owned subsidiaries Petrobras Global Trading B.V. – PGT (in the Netherlands), Petrobras Global Finance B.V. – PGF (Netherlands); Petrobras America Inc. – PAI (United States), and PNBV (Netherlands). PGT is dedicated to the trade of oil, oil products, biofuels and LNG (liquefied natural gas), as well as to the funding of its activities in light of Petrobras Group. PGF is the finance subsidiary of Petrobras Group, raising funds through bonds issued in the international capital market. PAI is dedicated to E&P (MP Gulf of Mexico, LLC). PNBV operates through joint operations in Tupi BV (65%), Guará BV (45%), Agri Development BV (90%), Libra (40%), Papa Terra BV (62.5%), Roncador BV (75%), Iara BV (42.5%) and Lapa BV (10%). They are dedicated to construction and lease of equipment and platforms for Brazilian E&P consortia and are incorporated under the law of the Netherlands. PNBV’s interests in these entities comprise the voting shares.

Gaspetro holds interests in several natural gas distributors in Brazil that carry out, by means of concessions, public service of distribution of piped natural gas.

29.2. Investments in associates and joint ventures

 

    Balance at
12.31.2018
    Investments     Transfer to
assets held for
sale
    Restructuring,
capital decrease
and others (*)
     Results in equity-
accounted
investments
     CTA      OCI      Dividends      Balance at
12.31.2019
 

Joint Ventures

    1,170       31       (6     28        205        (21      —          (215      1,192  

MP Gulf of Mexico, LLC

    622       —         —         —          83        —          —          (128      577  

State-controlled natural gas distributors

    308       —         —         49        87        (12      —          (52      380  

Compañia Mega S.A. - MEGA

    78       —         —         —          10        1        —          (10      79  

Other joint ventures

    162       31       (6     (21      25        (10      —          (25      156  

Associates

                      

Nova Transportadora do Sudeste

    263       —         —         (16      56        (9      —          (55      239  

Transportadora Associada de Gás S.A.

    —         —         —         306        11        (15      10        (29      283  

Others Associates (**)

    1,310       7       (6     2,672        (119      (86      59        (57      3,780  

Other investments

    16       —         —         (10      —          (1      —          —          5  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

    2,759       38       (12     2,980        153        (132      69        (356      5,499  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

It includes the transfer of the 10% remaining interest in TAG and the 37.5% remaining interest in BR Distribuidora to Associates (previously consolidated subsidiaries).

(**)

It includes Petrobras Distribuidora and Braskem.

29.3. Investments in non- consolidated listed companies

 

    Thousand-share lot           Quoted stock exchange prices
(US$ per share)
     Market value  
    12.31.2019     12.31.2018     Type     12.31.2019      12.31.2018      12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

Associate

                

Petrobras Distribuidora

    1,165,000       1,165,000       Common       7.46        6.39        8,691        7,447  
                
                8,691        7,447  
                

Associate

                

Braskem S.A.

    212,427       212,427       Common       8        12        1,662        2,495  

Braskem S.A.

    75,762       75,762       Preferred A       7        12        561        926  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                2,223        3,421  
             

 

 

    

 

 

 

The market value of these shares does not necessarily reflect the realizable value upon sale of a large block of shares.

On June 4, 2019, the Company was informed by Odebrecht S.A that the negotiations with LyondellBasell for a potential transaction involving the transfer of Odebrecht’s entire interest in Braskem had not succeeded.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Information on the main estimates used in the cash flow projections to determine the value in use of Braskem is set out in Note 25.3.

29.4. Non-controlling interest

The total amount of non-controlling interest at December 31, 2019 is US$ 892 (US$ 1,631 in 2018) primarily comprising US$ 263 of Gaspetro (US$ 255 in 2018), US$ 70 of Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Brasil-Bolívia – TBG (US$ 65 in 2018), and US$ 203 refer to Consolidated Structured Entities (US$ 206 in 2018).

Condensed financial information is set out as follows:

 

    Gaspetro     Consolidated
Structured entities (*)
     FIDC      TBG      BR
Distribuidora
 
    2019     2018     2019     2018      2019      2018      2019      2018      2018  

Current assets

    91       79       793       826        16,377        6,622        154        174        3,304  

Long-term receivables

    61       58       586       781        —          —          —          1        1,609  

Investments

    380       360       —         —          —          —          —          —          9  

Property, plant and equipment

    1       1       —         —          —          —          430        463        1,496  

Other non-current assets

    73       76       —         —          —          —          3        2        123  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    606       574       1,379       1,607        16,377        6,622        587        640        6,541  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

    40       26       8       75        6        4        105        173        1,177  

Non-current liabilities

    28       29       1,104       1,326        —          —          340        334        2,864  

Shareholders’ equity

    538       519       267       206        16,371        6,618        142        133        2,500  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    606       574       1,379       1,607        16,377        6,622        587        640        6,541  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sales revenues

    136       114       —         —          —          —          426        425        26,753  

Net income

    89       74       41       (142      910        489        180        160        874  

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    7       (7     16       128        786        (181      3        7        704  

Gaspetro, a Petrobras’ subsidiary, holds interests in several state distributors of natural gas in Brazil. The Company holds 51% of interests in this indirect subsidiary.

TBG is an indirect subsidiary which operates in natural gas transmission activities mainly through Bolivia-Brazil Gas Pipeline. The Company holds 51% of interests in this indirect subsidiary.

Structured entities include Charter Development LLC – CDC, dedicated to construct, acquirer and charter FPSOs, and Companhia de Desenvolvimento e Modernização de Plantas Industriais – CDMPI, which is dedicated to coking and hydrotreating of coke naptha from Henquique Lage refinery (REVAP).

On May 22, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the sale of a further portion of its interest in Petrobras Distribuidora (BR), carried out through a secondary public offering (follow-on). After the closing of this operation, in July 25, Petrobras’s interest in BR’s capital stock was reduced to 37.50%, and, Petrobras is no longer the controlling shareholder of BR. For more information see note 30.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

29.5. Summarized information on joint ventures and associates

The Company invests in joint ventures and associates in Brazil and abroad, whose activities are related to petrochemical companies, gas distributors, biofuels, thermoelectric power plants, refineries and other activities. Condensed financial information is set out below:

 

    2019      2018  
    Joint ventures     Associates      Joint ventures      Associates  
    In Brazil     MP Gulf of
Mexico, LLC
    Other
companies
abroad
    Other
companies
in Brazil
     In Brazil      MP Gulf of
Mexico, LLC
     Other
companies
abroad
     Other
companies
in Brazil
 

Current assets

    1,147       372       165       9,226        1,162        151        158        6,314  

Non-current assets

    486       —         5       4,880        520        —          10        1,388  

Property, plant and equipment

    641       3,131       48       20,210        866        3,643        45        12,932  

Other non-current assets

    634       —         —         1,579        633        —          1        863  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    2,908       3,503       218       35,895        3,181        3,794        214        21,497  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

    790       237       74       6,751        1,163        86        72        6,159  

Non-current liabilities

    808       373       19       28,878        673        599        23        17,566  

Shareholders’ equity

    1,270       2,317       79       255        1,354        2,487        79        (2,168

Non-controlling interest

    40       577       46       11        (9      622        40        (60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    2,908       3,504       218       35,895        3,181        3,794        214        21,497  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sales revenues

    1,610       1,300       —         40,218        3,975        92        136        18,954  

Net Income (loss) for the year

    246       423       17       2,416        92        48        17        1,888  

Ownership interest - %

    20 to 51.5     20     34 to 45     4.59 to 40      20 to 83      20      34 to 50      5 to 49

29.6. Accounting policy for investments in subsidiaries, joint operations, joint ventures and associates

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial information of Petrobras and the entities it controls (subsidiaries), joint operations (at the level of interest the Company has in them) and consolidated structured entities.

Control is achieved when Petrobras: i) has power over the investee; ii) is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from involvement with the investee; and iii) has the ability to use its power to affect its returns.

Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which control is obtained until the date that such control no longer exists, by using accounting policies consistent with those adopted by Petrobras. Note 11 sets out the consolidated entities and other direct investees.

Investments structured through a separate vehicle are set up so that the voting rights, or similar rights, are not the dominant factor to determine who controls the entity. At December 31, 2019, Petrobras controls and consolidates the following structured entities: Charter Development LLC - CDC (U.S.A., E&P); Companhia de Desenvolvimento e Modernização de Plantas Industriais - CDMPI (Brazil, RT&M) and, Fundo de Investimento em Direitos Creditórios Não-padronizados do Sistema Petrobras (Brazil, Corporate).

Intragroup balances and transactions, including unrealized profits arising from intragroup transactions, are eliminated in the consolidation of the financial statements.

Investments in other companies

An associate is an entity over which the Company has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but not the ability to exercise control or joint control over those polices. The definition of control is set out in note 4.1.

A joint arrangement is an arrangement over which two or more parties have joint control (pursuant to contractual provisions). A joint arrangement is classified either as a joint operation or as a joint venture depending on the rights and obligations of the parties to the arrangement.

In a joint operation, the parties have rights to the assets and obligations for the liabilities related to the arrangement, while in a joint venture the parties have rights to the net assets of the arrangement. Some of the Company’s activities in the E&P segment are conducted through joint operations.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Profit or loss, assets and liabilities related to joint ventures and associates are accounted for by the equity method. In a joint operation the Company recognizes the amount of its assets, liabilities and related income and expenses.

Accounting policies of joint ventures and associates have been adjusted, where necessary, to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by Petrobras. Distributions received from an investee reduce the carrying amount of the investment.

Business combination and Goodwill

A business combination is a transaction in which the acquirer obtains control of another business, regardless it legal form. Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method when control is obtained. Combinations of entities under common control are accounted for at cost. The acquisition method requires that the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed be measured at the acquisition-date fair value, with limited exceptions.

Goodwill is measured as the excess of the aggregate amount of: (i) the consideration transferred; (ii) the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree; and (iii) in a business combination achieved in stages, the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree at the acquisition-date; over the net of the amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. When this aggregate amount is lower than the net of the amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, a gain on a bargain purchase is recognized in the statement of income.

Changes in ownership interest in subsidiaries that do not result in loss of control of the subsidiary are equity transactions. Any excess of the amounts paid/received, including directly attributable costs, over the carrying value of the ownership interest acquired/disposed of is recognized in shareholders’ equity as changes in interest in subsidiaries.

 

30.

Disposal of assets and other changes in organizational structure

The Company has an active partnership and divestment portfolio, which takes into account opportunities for disposal of non-strategic assets in several areas in which it operates. The partnerships provide for the sharing and development of new technologies, strengthening corporate governance, and sharing future risks and investments. The divestment and partnership portfolio is dynamic, since the development of transactions also depends on conditions beyond the control of the Company. The divestment projects and strategic partnerships follow the procedures aligned with the guidelines of the Brazilian Federal Auditor’s Office (Tribunal de Contas da União – TCU) and the current legislation. In 2019, partnerships and divestments resulted in US$ 10,413 million of cash inflows to the Company.

The major classes of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are shown in the following table:

 

     Operating segment      12.31.2019      12.31.2018  
     E&P      RT&M      Corporate      Total      Total  

Assets classified as held for sale

              

Cash and Cash Equivalents

     1        4        —          5        40  

Trade receivables

     1        67        —          68        39  

Inventories

     —          13        —          13        47  

Investments

     351        4        —          355        973  

Property, plant and equipment

     1,773        273        —          2,046        745  

Others

     —          77        —          77        102  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,126        438        —          2,564        1,946  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities on assets classified as held for sale

              

Trade Payables

     —          27        —          27        1  

Finance debt

     —          —          142        142        —    

Provision for decommissioning costs

     2,961        —          —          2,961        932  

Dividends

     —          —          —          —          —    

Pension and medical benefits

     —          —          —          —          —    

Others

     —          116        —          116        50  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,961        143        142        3,246        983  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Details on transactions not closed as of December 31, 2019 and, therefore, classified as held for sale are presented as follows.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

30.1. Transactions pending closing at December 31, 2019

The corresponding assets and liabilities of this transactions are classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2019.

 

a)

Sale of Petrobras’s interest in Petrobras Oil & Gas B.V. (PO&GBV)

On October 31, 2018, the wholly owned subsidiary Petrobras International Braspetro BV (PIBBV) entered into an agreement to sale its 50% interest in PO&GBV to Petrovida Holding B.V. PO&GBV is a joint venture in the Netherlands consisting of assets located in Nigeria. PO&GBV does not operate any of these fields.

In the last quarter of 2019, an impairment losses in the amount of US$ 89 was accounted for within equity-accounted investments, (an impairment reversal in the amount of US$ 45, in the last quarter of 2018, following the signing of the agreement).

On January 14, 2020, the transaction was closed, in the amount of US$ 1,454, reflecting price adjustments and the deduction of Petrobras’ portion from the payment of fees to the Nigerian Government for approval of the transaction. From this total, Petrobras has received US$ 1,030 as dividends from PO&GBV, since the beginning of the transaction (January 1, 2018). At the closing, the Company received US$ 276, with an additional US$ 25 to be received up to June 30, 2020, and the remaining US$ 123 to be received as soon as the Abgami field redetermination process is implemented.

 

b)

Strategic alliance with Total

Petrobras and Total have a Strategic Alliance based on a master agreement signed in 2016. In 2018, the Company exercised a put option, transferring its remaining 10% stake in Lapa field to Total, in block BM-S-9, as provided in the contract signed in January 2018. This transaction amounts to US$ 50 and is still subject to some conditions precedent.

With respect to the sale of the Company’s 50% interest in Termobahia S.A, including the power plants Termobahia (former Celso Furtado) and Termocamaçari (former Rômulo Almeida), as set out in the master agreement signed in 2016, there is no expectation that the negotiation will be concluded in the next 12 months. Thus, these assets are no longer classified as held for sale.

 

c)

Sale of Baúna field

On July 24, 2019, Petrobras signed a contract for the sale of 100% of its interest in the Baúna field (awarded area BM-S-40), located in shallow waters in the Santos Basin, to Karoon Petróleo & Gás Ltda., a subsidiary of Karoon Energy Ltd. This transaction amounts to US$ 665, of which US$ 50 was paid at the signing date and the remaining US$ 615 will be paid at the closing of this transaction, including price adjustments.

This transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent, such as approval by the Brazilian Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).

 

d)

Sale of Pampo and Enchova groups of fields

On July 24, 2019, Petrobras signed a contract for the sale of 100% of its interest in the Pampo and Enchova groups, located in shallow waters in the Campos Basin, comprising Enchova, Enchova Oeste, Marimbá, Piraúna, Bicudo, Bonito, Pampo, Trilha, Linguado and Badejo fields, to Trident Energy do Brasil LTDA, a subsidiary of Trident Energy L.P. (“Trident Energy”).

This transaction amounts to US$ 851, of which US$ 53 was paid at the signing date and the remaining US$ 798 will be paid at the closing of this transaction, including price adjustments.

The transaction closing is subject to the fulfillment of some conditions precedent, such as the approval by the ANP and a license to be issued by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA).

 

e)

Sale of producing fields in Macau group of fields in the Potiguar Basin

On August 9, 2019, Petrobras signed a contract for the sale of its interest in a set of onshore and offshore producing fields in the Potiguar Basin, denominated the Macau group of fields, located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, to SPE 3R Petroleum S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of 3R Petroleum e Participações S.A.

The Macau group comprises the Aratum, Macau, Serra, Salina Cristal, Lagoa Aroeira, Porto Carão and Sanhaçu fields. Petrobras holds a 100% interest in all these concessions, except for the Sanhaçu field, in which it is the operator with a 50% interest, and the remaining 50% interest belongs to Petrogal.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The sale price is US$ 191, of which US$ 48 was paid upon signature of the contract and the remaining US$ 143 will paid upon transaction closing, including price adjustments.

This transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent, such as approval by the ANP.

 

f)

Disposal of Liquigás Distribuidora S.A.

On November 19, 2019, Petrobras entered into an agreement with Copagaz and Nacional Gás Butano for the sale of its whole interest in Liquigás Distribuidora S.A., in the amount of US$ 918 (R$ 3.7 billion), to be adjusted according to contract conditions and paid upon transaction closing.

This transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent, such as approval by the Brazilian Antitrust Regulator (CADE).

 

g)

Sale of Frade producing field

On November 28, 2019, Petrobras signed with PetroRio Jaguar Petróleo Ltda., subsidiary of Petro Rio S.A., a contract for the sale of its 30% stake in the Frade field, located in the Campos Basin, north coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

The transaction also included the sale of the entire stake held by Petrobras Frade Inversiones S.A. (PFISA), a subsidiary of Petrobras, in the company Frade BV, which owns the offshore assets used in the development of production in Frade field.

The sale price of US$ 100 comprises US$ 7.5 paid at the signing of the contract and the remaining at the closing of the transaction, subject to price adjustments. In addition, Petro Rio is subject to pay US$ 20 conditioned to a potential new discovery of reservoirs in the field.

The transaction closing is subject to the fulfillment of some conditions precedent, such as the approval by the CADE and ANP.

 

h)

Contingent installment of the exploratory block BM-S-8 sale

On July 28, 2016, the Board of Directors of Petrobras approved the disposal of the Company’s 66% interest in the exploratory block BM – S-8 to Statoil Brasil Óleo e Gás Ltda, which includes the Bacalhau field (former Carcará area located in the pre-salt of Santos Basin, for the amount of US$ 2,500.

The first installment (US $ 1,250) was received on November 22, 2016, and the second installment (US$ 300) on March 21, 2018.

The third installment (US$ 950) is still pending the approval of the Production Individualization Agreements (AIP) by the ANP or twelve months after its submission to this agency, what happens first.

30.2. Closed transactions at of December 31, 2019

 

a)

Sale of distributors in Paraguay

On June 26, 2018 the Company entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) related to the sale to Copetrol Group of its entire interest held through its wholly-owned subsidiary Petrobras International Braspetro B.V. (PIB BV) in Petrobras Paraguay Distribución Limited (PPDL UK), Petrobras Paraguay Operaciones y Logistica SRL (PPOL) and Petrobras Paraguay Gas SRL (PPG).

On March 8, 2019, this sale was completed after the fulfilment of all conditions precedent and the payment of US$ 332 to the Company, which includes US$ 45 of cash and cash equivalents of the companies and US$ 7 relating to working capital adjustment. This amount sums to the US$ 49 deposited in an escrow account at the signing date (June 27, 2018). As a result of this transaction, the Company recognized a US$ 141 gain within other income and expenses. In addition, a US$ 34 loss relating to cumulative translation adjustment previously recognized in shareholders’ equity was reclassified to the statement of income, within other income and expenses, due to the depreciation of the Paraguayan Guarani against the US dollar, accumulated since the acquisition of the investment.

 

b)

Sale of interest in three offshore producing fields in Campos basin

On November 28, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the sale of 100% interest in Pargo, Carapeba and Vermelho fields (the Nordeste group of fields), located in shallow waters on the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, to Perenco company, which paid US$ 74 at the contract signing.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

On October 8, 2019, after all conditions precedent had been met, the sale was closed with the additional payment of US$ 324 to Petrobras, totaling US$ 398, and the Company recorded a US$ 787 gain within other income and expenses, mainly due to the reversal of decommissioning costs.

 

c)

Sale of onshore producing fields in Potiguar basin

On December 27, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the sale of its total interest in 34 onshore producing fields, located in Potiguar basin, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, to the company 3R Petroleum, in the amount of US$ 453. However, the transaction was not consummated.

Accordingly, the Company promptly reassessed the other offers and accepted PetroRecôncavo’s offers in the amount of US$ 384, which was the second highest amount offered for this sale. Of this amount, US$ 61 is conditioned on the extension of the concession to be granted by the ANP and its present value is US$ 47. The agreement was signed on April 25, 2019, when PetroRecôncavo disbursed US$ 29 in advance.

On December 9, 2019, the transaction was closed after the fulfilment of all conditions precedent, with the payment of additional US$ 266 to Petrobras. Additionally, Petrobras assumes the obligation to reimburse PetroRecôncavo regarding abandonment costs, which present value is US$ 5. The gain on this operation was US$ 221, accounted for as other income and expenses.

 

d)

Sale of 50% working interest in Tartaruga Verde and Module III of Espadarte fields

On April 25, 2019, Petrobras entered into an agreement with Petronas Petróleo Brasil Ltda., for the sale of 50% working interest in Tartaruga Verde field (BM-C-36 Concession) and Module III of Espadarte field. Petrobras will maintain a 50% working interest and the operation of the fields. The transaction amounts to US$ 1,294, of which US$ 259 was paid at the signing date.

On December 27, 2019, the transaction was closed with the payment of US$ 692 to Petrobras, after the fulfillment of all conditions precedent and price adjustments provided for in the contract. The remaining US$ 343 was compensated based on proceeds obtained by Petrobras from January 1 to the closing, considering Petronas’s stake during this period. At the transaction closing, US$ 74 loss was accounted for as other income and expenses.

 

e)

Sale of Pasadena Refinery

On January 30, 2019, Petrobras America Inc. (PAI) entered into a SPA with Chevron USA Inc. for the sale of the shares held by PAI on Pasadena Refining System Inc. (PRSI) and PRSI Trading LLC (PRST), which comprise the Pasadena refining system in the United States.

On May 1, 2019, this sale was concluded after the fulfillment of conditions precedent. Accordingly, the amount of US$ 467 was received by the Company, of which US$ 350 relates to shares of the Pasadena refinery and the remaining US$ 117 to its working capital, subject to price adjustments.

At the transaction closing, in the second quarter of 2019, a US$ 49 loss was accounted for as other income and expenses.

 

f)

Sale of interest in Transportadora Associada de Gás - TAG

On April 25, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement for the sale of a 90% interest in TAG to a group formed by ENGIE and the Canadian fund Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec, acting through Aliança Transportadora de Gás Participações S.A. (“Aliança”), a Brazilian private company, to take over the control of TAG.

On June 13, 2019, after the fulfilment of all conditions precedent, this sale was closed for US$ 8.5 billion, with the settlement as follows:

 

 

US$ 7.5 billion for the acquisition of 90% of TAG’s shares;

 

 

US$ 0.5 billion relating to the sale of additional shares, so that the Company will preserve a 10% interest in TAG after the corporate restructuring carried out by the new controlling shareholder of TAG.

 

 

Aliança made a loan to TAG, to repay the remaining debt with BNDES, in the amount of US$ 0.5 billion.

On September 2, 2019, TAG incorporated Aliança, when Petrobras transferred 64,016 common shares issued by TAG to the new controlling shareholders in return for the US$ 0.5 billion received in June 2019.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Following the closing of the transaction, a US$ 5.458 gain, including the remeasurement of the remaining interest in the amount of US$ 546, was accounted for in the second quarter of 2019, within other income and expenses.

In the scope of this transaction, Petrobras remained responsible for certain TAG contingencies, in the amount of US$ 645, classified as contingent liabilities.

Petrobras will continue to use natural gas transportation services rendered by TAG, through contracts already in force between the two companies, with no impacts on its operations.

 

g)

Public offer of shares of Petrobras Distribuidora (BR)

On May 22, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the sale of a further portion of its interest in Petrobras Distribuidora (BR), to be carried out through a secondary public offering (follow-on).

On July 23, 2019, the Board of Directors approved the sale of 349,500,000 shares at a price per share of US$ 6.5123 (R$ 24.50).

On July 25, 2019, an overallotment option was fully exercised and the number of shares offered increased by 43,687,500, under the same conditions and at the same price per share initially offered. Thus, the offering amount totaled US$ 2,561 and Petrobras’ interest in BR’s capital stock was reduced to 37.50%. After the closing of this operation, Petrobras is no longer the controlling shareholder of BR.

The Company recognized a US$ 2,221 gain (US$ 3,349 before taxes), including the remeasurement of the remaining interest in the amount of US$ 1,780, as a result of this operation, accounted for as net income from discontinued operations in the third quarter of 2019.

The supply relationship will continue after the disposal as this transaction does not change the current supply contracts.

As BR represented a separate major line of business, the disposed interest is considered a discontinued operation, for which the statements of income and cash flows are presented below (including restatement of previous years):

 

     Jan-Jul/2019      2018      2017  

Sales revenues

     5,735        10,946        10,943  

Cost of sales

     (4,886      (9,334      (8,949
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

     849        1,612        1,994  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (expenses)

        

Selling expenses

     (439      (804      (924

General and administrative expenses

     (116      (216      (261

Other taxes

     (14      (82      (54

Other income and expenses

     (15      133        (89
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (584      (969      (1,328

Income before finance income (expense) and income taxes

     265        643        666  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net finance income (expense)

     138        628        (175

Results of equity-accounted investments

     —          —          (1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income before income taxes

     403        1,271        490  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income taxes

     (150      (428      (131
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income for the year from discontinued operation - BR

     253        843        359  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gain on sale of interest

     3,515        —          —    

Income taxes on the gain on sale of interest

     (1,208      —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income for the period from discontinued operation

     2,560        843        359  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Attributable to:

        

Shareholders of Petrobras

     2,560        843        359  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income for the period from discontinued operation

     2,560        843        359  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

     Jan-Jul/2019      Jan-Dec/2018      Jan-Dec/2017  

Cash flows from Operating activities

        

Net income for the year

     2,560        843        359  

Adjustments for:

        

Pension and medical benefits (actuarial expense)

     73        121        158  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     76        115        142  

Foreign exchange, indexation and finance charges

     (132      (644      188  

Deferred income taxes, net

     136        395        68  

Others

     105        7        —    

Decrease (Increase) in assets

        

Trade and other receivables, net

     451        467        (50

Other assets

     (159      103        (265

Increase (Decrease) in liabilities

        

Trade payables

     (171      (168      9  

Pension and medical benefits

     (138      (3      (43

Other liabilities

     (45      (325      (139

Income taxes paid

     (102      (5      (30

Net income from discontinued operations

     (2,331      —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     323        906        397  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from Investing activities

        

Acquisition of PP&E and intangibles assets

     (81      (116      (93

Proceeds from disposal of assets - Divestment

     1,829        —          —    

Divestment (Investment) in marketable securities

     61        72        817  

Others

     3        —          3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     1,812        (44      727  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from Financing activities

        

Proceeds from financing

     —          244        1,944  

Repayment of principal

     (30      (49      (2,478

Repayment of interest

     (60      (88      (481

Dividends paid to Shareholders of Petrobras

     (387      (263      (210

Others

     (31      —          48  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (508      (156      (1,177
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (136      (66      1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     1,491        640        (52
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

     789        149        201  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

     2,280        789        149  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

30.3. Cash flows from sales of interest with loss of control

In 2019 and 2018, the Company disposed of its interest in certain subsidiaries over which control was lost. The following table summarizes cash flows arising from losing control in subsidiaries:

 

     Cash
received
     Cash in subsidiary
before losing
control
     Net
Proceeds
 

2019

        

Petrobras Paraguay

     381        (45      336  

TAG

     8,206        (174      8,033  

BR (*)

     2,509        (591      1,917  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     11,096        (810      10,286  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2018

        

PetroquímicaSuape e Citepe

     435        (14      421  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     435        (14      421  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
(*)

Discontinued operation.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

30.4. Accounting Policy for assets and liabilities held for sale

Non-current assets, disposal groups and liabilities directly associated with those assets are classified as held for sale if their carrying amounts will, principally, be recovered through the sale transaction rather than through continuing use.

The condition for classification as held for sale is met only when the sale is approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and the asset or disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition and there is the expectation that the sale will occur within 12 months after its classification as held for sale. However, an extended period required to complete a sale does not preclude an asset (or disposal group) from being classified as held for sale if the delay is caused by events or circumstances beyond the Company’s control and there is sufficient evidence that the Company remains committed to its plan to sell the assets (or disposal groups).

Assets (or disposal groups) classified as held for sale and the associated liabilities are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Assets and liabilities are presented separately in the statement of financial position.

When a component of the Company is disposed of or classified as held for sale, and it represented a separate major line of business, the disposed interest is considered a discontinued operation, thus its net income, operating, investing and financing cash flows are presented in separate line items until the date of the closing of the operation.

 

31.

Assets by operating segment

 

     Exploration
and
Production
     Refining,
Transportation &
Marketing
     Gas
&
Power
     Corporate      Eliminations     Total  

Consolidated assets by operating segment - 12.31.2019

 

Current assets

     5,734        12,273        1,932        12,700        (4,827     27,812  

Non-current assets

     148,546        31,248        10,781        11,390        (37     201,928  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term receivables

     6,456        3,299        1,369        6,567        —         17,691  

Investments

     592        1,109        1,067        2,731        —         5,499  

Property, plant and equipment

     122,496        26,710        8,181        1,915        (37     159,265  

Operating assets

     106,331        23,630        5,605        1,784        (37     137,313  

Under construction

     16,165        3,080        2,576        131        —         21,952  

Intangible assets

     19,002        130        164        177        —         19,473  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

     154,280        43,521        12,713        24,090        (4,864     229,740  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated assets by operating segment - 12.31.2018

 

Current assets

     5,324        11,964        2,027        21,404        (3,657     37,062  

Non-current assets

     126,989        32,119        13,582        12,120        196       185,006  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term receivables

     8,115        3,286        1,525        8,898        235       22,059  

Investments

     650        1,303        757        49        —         2,759  

Property, plant and equipment

     116,153        27,356        11,057        2,856        (39     157,383  

Operating assets

     93,172        24,347        8,517        2,460        (39     128,457  

Under construction

     22,981        3,009        2,540        396        —         28,926  

Intangible assets

     2,071        174        243        317        —         2,805  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

     132,313        44,083        15,609        33,524        (3,461     222,068  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

32.

Finance debt

32.1. Balance by type of finance debt

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  

In Brazil

     

Banking Market

     5,322        9,576  

Capital Market

     3,468        3,320  

Development banks

     1,927        3,346  

Others

     13        9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     10,730        16,251  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Abroad

     

Banking Market

     16,555        24,124  

Capital Market

     32,476        39,627  

Development banks

     40        41  

Export Credit Agency

     3,233        3,881  

Others

     226        251  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     52,530        67,924  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total finance debt

     63,260        84,175  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current

     4,469        3,667  

Non-current

     58,791        80,508  

32.2. Changes in finance debt and reconciliation with cash flows from financing activities

 

    Balance at
12.31.2017
    Adoption
of IFRS 9
    Additions     Principal
amortization
(*)
    Interest
amortization
(*)
    Accrued
interest
(**)
    Foreign
exchange/
inflation
indexation
charges
    Cumulative
translation
adjustment
(CTA)
    Modification of
contractual
cash flows
    Balance at
12.31.2018
 

In Brazil

    21,930       65       2,442       (5,451     (1,220     1,338       27       (2,880     —         16,251  

Abroad

    87,116       177       8,644       (27,988     (4,465     4,400       1,409       (1,357     (12     67,924  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    109,046       242       11,086       (33,439     (5,685     5,738       1,436       (4,237     (12     84,175  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    Balance at
12.31.2018
    Additions     Principal
amortization
(*)
    Interest
amortization
(*)
    Accrued
interest (**)
    Foreign
exchange/
inflation
indexation
charges
    Cumulative
translation
adjustment
(CTA)
    Transfer to
liabilities
classified
as held for
sale
    Modification of
contractual
cash flows
    Balance at
12.31.2019
 

In Brazil

    16,251       2,181       (5,663     (745     829       111       (352     (1,882     —         10,730  

Abroad

    67,924       5,362       (20,788     (3,853     3,878       538       (560     —         29       52,530  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    84,175       7,543       (26,451     (4,598     4,707       649       (912     (1,882     29       63,260  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

PP&E on credit

      (76     —         —                

Debt restructuring

      —         (861     —                

Deposits linked to financing

      —         —         47              

Discontinued operations

      (3     39       50              
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

             

Net cash used in financing activities

      7,464       (27,273     (4,501            
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

             

 

(*)

It includes pre-payments.

(**)

It includes premium and discount over notional amounts, as well as gains and losses by modifications in contractual cash flows.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

In the year ended December 31, 2019, proceeds from financing amounted to US$ 7,464, principally reflecting: (i) global notes issued in the capital market in the amount of US$ 2,980, of which US$ 737 relates to the reopening of bonds maturing in 2029, and the remaining relates to new bonds issued maturing in 2049; and (ii) debentures issued amounting to US$ 1,685.

In addition, the Company repaid several finance debts, in the amount of US$ 31,774 notably: (i) US$ 9,994 relating to repurchase of global bonds previously issued by the Company in the capital market, with net premium paid to bond holders amounting to US$ 855; (ii) pre-payment of banking loans in the domestic and international market totaling US$ 13,446; and (iii) pre-payment of US$ 578 with respect to financings with the Brazilian Development Bank (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social – BNDES).

In September 2019, the Company made an offer to exchange Global Notes maturing between 2023 and 2029, in the amount of US$ 3,650, for new Global Notes maturing in 2030 in the amount of US$ 4,115, with net premium amounting to US$ 465 to the bond holders.

Issuance of debentures

In 2019, the Company made, through public offers, two issuances of simple, non-convertible and unsecured debentures, totaling US$ 1,685 in local currency (R$ 6,608 million). The tables below present a summary containing the final conditions of the debentures:

6th issuance – Bookbuilding finalized on January 31, 2019

Interests paid in January and July of each year.

 

Serie    Maturity      Rate on Bookbuilding    Amounts issued
(US$ million)
 

1st Serie

     01/15/2026      IPCA+ 4.0460% p.a.      238  

2nd Serie

     01/15/2029      IPCA+ 4.2186% p.a.      450  

3rd Serie

     01/15/2026      106.25% of CDI      267  

7th issuance – Bookbuilding finalized on September 25, 2019

Interests paid in March and September of each year.

 

Serie    Maturity      Rate on Bookbuilding    Amounts issued
(US$ million)
 

1st Serie

     09/15/2029      IPCA + 3.6% p.a.      371  

2nd Serie

     09/15/2034      IPCA + 3.9% p.a.      359  

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

32.3. Summarized information on current and non-current finance debt

 

Maturity in    2020     2021     2022     2023     2024     2025
onwards
    Total(**)     Fair Value  

Financing in U.S.Dollars (US$)(*):

     3,512       3,157       2,777       5,842       6,509       26,474       48,271       55,905  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Floating rate debt

     2,745       1,731       2,154       4,454       4,977       3,847       19,908    

Fixed rate debt

     767       1,426       623       1,388       1,532       22,627       28,363    

Average interest rate

     5.3     5.4     5.5     5.5     5.6     6.6     6.2  

Financing in Brazilian Reais (R$):

     771       611       1,524       1,783       2,015       3,800       10,504       11,089  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Floating rate debt

     338       375       1,211       1,571       1,558       1,675       6,728    

Fixed rate debt

     433       236       313       212       457       2,125       3,776    

Average interest rate

     3.8     4.1     4.5     4.3     3.8     2.8     3.7  

Financing in Euro (€):

     137       203       388       411       13       1,410       2,562       3,418  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed rate debt

     137       203       388       411       13       1,410       2,562    

Average interest rate

     4.7     4.7     4.8     4.6     4.6     4.6     4.7  

Financing in Pound Sterling (£):

     48       —         —         —         —         1,874       1,922       2,388  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed rate debt

     48       —         —         —         —         1,874       1,922    

Average interest rate

     6.2     —         —         —         —         6.3     6.3  

Financing in other currencies:

     1       —         —         —         —         —         1       1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed rate debt

     1       —         —         —         —         —         1    

Average interest rate

     10.1     —         —         —         —         —         10.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total as of December 31, 2019

     4,469       3,971       4,689       8,036       8,537       33,558       63,260       72,801  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average interest rate

     5.1     5.2     5.3     5.3     5.3     6.3     5.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total as of December 31, 2018

     3,667       3,921       7,012       10,317       11,951       47,307       84,175       85,929  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average interest rate

     5.5     5.9     5.9     5.8     5.8     6.4     6.1  

 

(*)

Includes debt raised in Brazil (in Brazilian reais) indexed to the U.S. dollar.

(**)

The average maturity of outstanding debt as of December 31, 2019 is 10.79 years (9.14 years as of December 31, 2018).

The fair value of the Company’s finance debt is mainly determined and categorized into a fair value hierarchy as follows:

Level 1- quoted prices in active markets for identical liabilities, when applicable, amounting to US$ 34,992 as of December 31, 2019 (US$ 39,057 as of December 31, 2018); and

Level 2 – discounted cash flows based on discount rate determined by interpolating spot rates considering financing debts indexes proxies, taking into account their currencies and also Petrobras’ credit risk, amounting to US$ 37,809 as of December 31, 2019 (US$ 46,872 as of December 31, 2018).

The sensitivity analysis for financial instruments subject to foreign exchange variation is set out in note 36.2.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

32.4. Lines of credit

 

                        Amount  
Company   

Financial

institution

   Date      Maturity      Available
(Lines of
Credit)
     Used      Balance  

Abroad

                 

PGT BV

   Syndicate of banks      3/7/2018        2/7/2023        4,350        —          4,350  

PGT BV

   Syndicate of banks      3/27/2019        2/27/2024        3,250        —          3,250  

PGT BV

   BNP Paribas      12/22/2016        1/9/2021        350        310        40  

PGT BV

   The Export - Import Bank of China      12/23/2019        12/27/2021        750        —          750  

Petrobras

   New Development Bank      8/27/2018        8/27/2022        200        40        160  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

              8,900        350        8,550  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In Brazil

              

Petrobras

   Banco do Brasil      3/23/2018        1/26/2023        496        —          496  

Petrobras

   Bradesco      6/1/2018        5/31/2023        496        —          496  

Petrobras

   Banco do Brasil      10/4/2018        9/5/2025        496        —          496  

Transpetro

   Caixa Econômica Federal      11/23/2010        Not defined        82        —          82  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

              1,570        —          1,570  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

32.5. Covenants and Collateral

32.5.1. Covenants

The Company has covenants that were not in default at December 31, 2019 in its loan agreements and notes issued in the capital markets requiring, among other obligations i) the presentation of interim financial statements within 90 days of the end of each quarter (not reviewed by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm) and audited financial statements within 120 days of the end of each fiscal year, with a grace period ranging from 30 to 60 days, depending on the agreement; ii) Negative Pledge / Permitted Liens clause; iii) clauses of compliance with the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the conduct of its business including (but not limited to) environmental laws; (iv) clauses in financing agreements that require both the borrower and the guarantor to conduct their business in compliance with anti-corruption laws and anti-money laundering laws and to institute and maintain policies necessary for such compliance; (v) clauses in financing agreements that restrict relations with entities or even countries sanctioned primarily by the United States (including, but not limited to, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Department of State and Department of Commerce), the European Union and United Nations; and vi) covenants with respect to debt level in some of its loan agreements with the Brazilian Development Bank (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social - BNDES).

32.5.2. Collateral

Most of the Company’s debt is unsecured, but certain specific funding instruments to promote economic development are collateralized.

A Financing agreement with China Development Bank (CDB) maturing in 2026 is also collateralized based on future oil exports for specific buyers limited to 200 thousand barrels per day. This collateral may not exceed the amount of the related debt (US$ 5,006 at December 31, 2019 and US$ 10,020 at December 31, 2018).

On December 16, 2019, the Company prepaid a US$ 5,000 debt with CDB, maturing in 2027, which was also collateralized.

The loans obtained by structured entities are collateralized based on the projects’ assets, as well as liens on receivables of the structured entities. Bonds issued by the Company in the capital market are unsecured.

The global notes issued by the Company in the capital market through its wholly-owned subsidiary Petrobras Global Finance B.V. – PGF are unsecured. However, Petrobras fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees these notes, as set out in note 35.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

32.6. Accounting policy for finance debt

Loans and finance debt are initially recognized at fair value less transaction costs that are directly attributable to its issue and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. When the contractual cash flows of a financial liability measured at amortized cost are renegotiated or modified and this change is not substantial, its gross carrying amount will reflect the discounted present value of its cash flows under the new terms using the original effective interest rate. The difference between the book value immediately prior to such modification and the new gross carrying amount is recognized as gain or loss in the statement of income. When such modification is substantial, the original liability is extinguished and a new liability is recognized, impacting the statement of income for the period.

33. Lease liabilities

The Company is the lessee in agreements primarily including oil and gas producing units, drilling rigs and other exploration and production equipment, vessels and support vessels, helicopters, lands and buildings.

Changes in the balance of lease liabilities are presented below:

 

     Balance at
12.31.2018
     Adoption
of

IFRS 16
     Remeasurement /
new contracts
     Payment of
principal and
interest (*)
    Interest
expense
     Foreign
exchange
gains
and
losses
     Cumulative
translation
adjustment
(CTA)
    Transfer
to assets
and
liabilities
held for
sale
    Balance at
12.31.2019
 
                       

In Brazil

     185        5,628        1,239        (1,597     376        160        (246     (241     5,504  

Abroad

     —          20,947        1,060        (3,655     1,138        479        (445     (1,167     18,357  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     185        26,575        2,299        (5,252     1,514        639        (691     (1,408     23,861  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Payments relating to liabilities held for sale

              (84            

Amounts received

              110              

Payments relating to discontinued operations

              19              
           

 

 

             

Net cash used in financing activities

              (5,207            
           

 

 

             

The following table presents main information by class of underlying assets:

 

Present Value of Future Payments

   Initial
Application
     Closing
Balance
     Recoverable
taxes
     Discount
rate (%)
     Average
Period
 

Without readjustment

              

Vessels

     7,162        7,199        271        4.4173 p.a.        5.1 years  

Platforms

     4,213        3,283        —          6.1264 p.a.        15.5 years  

Others

     472        319        7        2.8723 p.a.        2.3 years  

With readjusment - abroad (*)

              

Vessels

     1,123        1,050        —          5.4336 p.a.        8.7 years  

Platforms

     10,898        9,658        —          5.8219 p.a.        11.7 years  

Others

     86        45        —          2.3401 p.a.        0.9 years  

With readjusment - Brazil

              

Vessels

     1,489        1,147        101        6.8919 p.a.        4.5 years  

Properties

     798        859        16        8.4804 p.a.        20.7 years  

Others

     334        301        20        6.9033 p.a.        3.2 years  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL

     26,575        23,861        415        6.0033 p.a.        9.8 years  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For information regarding depreciation, additions and carrying amount by class of underlying assets, see note 23.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

A maturity schedule of the lease arrangements (nominal amounts) is set out as follows:

Nominal Future Payments

   2020      2021      2022      2023      2024      2025
onwards
     Total      Recoverable
taxes
 

Without readjustment

                       

Vessels

     2,390        1,943        1,347        954        619        945        8,198        300  

Platforms

     563        397        321        306        306        3,285        5,178        —    

Others

     151        123        10        18        1        30        333        8  

With readjusment - abroad (*)

                       

Vessels

     169        155        155        155        156        556        1,346        —    

Platforms

     1,911        1,808        1,281        892        847        6,846        13,585        —    

Others

     41        3        1        —          —          —          45        —    

With readjusment - Brazil

                       

Vessels

     406        327        215        164        126        133        1,371        121  

Properties

     116        138        134        111        104        1,248        1,851        20  

Others

     153        90        47        36        5        14        345        15  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL

     5,900        4,984        3,511        2,636        2,164        13,057        32,252        464  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Contracts signed in the U.S. Dollars.

Payments in certain lease agreements vary due to changes in facts or circumstances occurring after their inception other than the passage of time. Such payments are not included in the measurement of the lease obligations. Variable lease payments in the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to US$ 671, representing 13% in relation to fixed payments.

All extension options were included in the measurement of lease obligations.

The sensitivity analysis of financial instruments subject to exchange variation is presented in note 36.2.

In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized lease expenses in the amount of US$ 674 relating to short-term leases.

At December 31, 2019, the balance of lease agreements for which the lease term has not commenced, as they relate to assets under construction or not yet available for use, is US$ 50,130.

33.1. Accounting policy for lease liabilities

Lease liabilities, including those whose underlying assets are of low value, are measured at the present value of lease payments, which includes recoverable taxes, non-cancellable periods and options to extend a lease when they are reasonably certain. These payments are discounted at the Company’s nominal incremental rate on loans, as the interest rates implicit in lease agreements with third parties usually cannot be readily determined.

Lease remeasurements reflect changes arising from contractual rates or indexes, as well as lease terms due to new expectations of lease extensions or terminations.

Unwinding of discount on the lease liability is classified as finance expense, while payments reduce their carrying amount. According to the Company’s foreign exchange risk management, foreign exchange variations on lease liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars are designated as instruments to protect cash flow hedge relationships from highly probable future exports (see note 36.2).

In the E&P segment, some activities are conducted by joint operations where the company is the operator. In cases where all parties to the joint operation are primarily responsible for the lease payments, the Company recognizes the lease liability in proportion to its share. In addition, underlying assets arising from a specific contract in which the Company is solely responsible for the lease payments may be used in a joint operation. In such cases, the lease liabilities remain fully recognized and the partners are charged in proportion to their interests.

Payments associated with short-term leases (term of 12 months or less) are recognized as an expense over the term of the lease.

 

34.

Equity

 

34.1.

Share capital (net of share issuance costs)

As of December 31, 2019, subscribed and fully paid share capital, net of issuance costs, was US$ 107,101, represented by 7,442,454,142 common shares and 5,602,042,788 preferred shares, all of which are registered, book-entry shares with no par value.

Preferred shares have priority on returns of capital, do not grant any voting rights and are non-convertible into common shares.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

34.2. Accounting policy on share capital

Share capital comprises common shares and preferred shares. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares (share issuance costs) are presented (net of tax) in shareholders’ equity as a deduction from the proceeds.

34.3. Capital reserve

Capital reserve comprises treasury shares owned by Petrobras, in the amount of US$ 2, at December 31, 2019.

34.4. Capital transactions

34.4.1. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of shares

It includes any transaction costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares, net of taxes.

34.4.2. Change in interest in subsidiaries

It includes any excess of amounts paid/received over the carrying value of the interest acquired/disposed. Changes in interests in subsidiaries that do not result in loss of control of the subsidiary are equity transactions.

34.4.3. Treasury shares

Shares held in treasury in the amount of US$ 2, represented by 222,760 common shares and 72,909 preferred shares.

34.5. Profit reserves

34.5.1. Legal reserve

It represents 5% of the net income for the year, calculated pursuant to article 193 of the Brazilian Corporation Law.

34.5.2. Statutory reserve

Appropriated by applying a minimum of 0.5% of the year-end share capital and is retained to fund technology research and development programs. The balance of this reserve may not exceed 5% of the share capital, pursuant to article 55 of the Company’s bylaws.

34.5.3. Tax incentives reserve

Government grants are recognized in the statement of income and are appropriated from retained earnings to the tax incentive reserve in the shareholders’ equity pursuant to article 195-A of Brazilian Corporation Law. This reserve may only be used to offset losses or increase share capital.

In 2019, US$ 179 was appropriated to this reserve (US$ 203 in 2018), of which US$ 177 relates to subventions from agencies Superintendência de Desenvolvimento do Nordeste (SUDENE) and Superintendência de Desenvolvimento da Amazônia (SUDAM).

34.5.4. Accounting policy on tax incentives reserve

A government grant is recognized when there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and the Company will comply with the conditions attached to the grant.

34.5.5. Profit retention reserve

It Includes funds intended for capital expenditures, primarily in oil and gas exploration and development activities, as per the capital budget of the Company, pursuant to article 196 of the Brazilian Corporation Law.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The Board of Directors proposes to retain in the shareholder’s equity, within the profit retention reserve, the amount of US$ 6,549 in order to partially fund the annual investment program determined in the capital budget for 2019, to be approved at the Shareholder’s General Meeting.

 

34.6.

Other comprehensive income

In 2019 , the Company primarily recognized as other comprehensive income the following effects:

 

   

Cumulative translation adjustment loss of US$ 1,431 primarily reflecting translations from the main functional currency of Petrobras group (Brazilian real) into the presentation currency (U.S. dollar);

 

   

Actuarial loss on post-employment defined benefit plans in the amount of US$ 4,098, after taxes.

 

   

Foreign exchange rate variation loss of US$ 248 after taxes and amounts reclassified to the statement of income, recognized in the Company’s equity, as a result of its cash flow hedge accounting policy. In 2018, the cumulative balance of foreign exchange variation losses, net of tax effects, was US$ 13,292 (see note 29.2).

34.7. Distributions to shareholders

Pursuant to Brazilian Corporation Law, the Company’s shareholders are entitled to receive minimum mandatory dividends (and/or interest on capital) of 25% of the adjusted net income for the year in proportion to the number of common and preferred shares held by them.

To the extent the Company proposes dividend distributions, preferred shares have priority in dividend distribution, which is based on the highest of 3% of the preferred shares’ net book value or 5% of the preferred share capital. Preferred shares participate under the same terms as common shares in capital increases resulting from the capitalization of profit reserves or retained earnings. However, this priority does not necessarily grant dividend distributions to the preferred shareholders in the event of loss for a year.

On August 28, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new policy on distribution to shareholders, in which the main change is the definition that in the event of total debt lower than US$ 60,000, the Company may distribute to its shareholders 60% of the difference between net cash flow from operating activities and capital expenditures (comprising investments for the acquisition of PP&E and intangibles assets and in investees). In the event of total debt exceeding US$ 60,000, the Company may distribute to its shareholders the minimum mandatory dividends provided for by relevant regulation and the Company’s bylaws.

The General Shareholders Meeting held on April 26, 2018 amended provisions in the Company’s bylaws governing distribution to shareholders (dividends and interest on capital) on a quarterly basis. The quarterly distributions were included in the Company’s minimum mandatory distribution for 2018 and were updated by Selic rate from the date of the payments to the end of the fiscal year.

Distributions to shareholders for 2019 amounts to US$ 2,687, most of it proposed as interest on capital, to be approved at the 2020 Shareholder’s General Meeting, are consistent with the minimum mandatory dividend of 25% of the adjusted income and withholding income tax rate of 15%. This proposal meets the priority rights of the preferred shareholders, whose criteria of 5% on the proportion of the capital represented by this class of shares prevailed for 2019.

 

                        Common Shares      Preferred Shares         

Payment

   Date of
approval by
the Board of
Directors
     Date of
register
    Date of
Payment
    Amount(*)      Amount
per Share
     Amount(*)      Amount
per Share
     Total
Amount
 

1st payment of interest on capital

     05.07.2019        05.21.2019       07.05.2019       187        0.0251        140        0.0251        327  

2nd payment of interest on capital

     08.01.2019        08.12.2019       10.04.2019       389        0.0522        293        0.0522        681  

3 rd payment of interest on capital

     10.24.2019        11.11.2019       02.07.2020       371        0.0499        279        0.0499        650  

4 th payment of interest on capital

     12.18.2019        12.26.2019       02.07.2020                     580        0.1035        580  

Indexation charges on paid anticipations

            9        0.0012        7        0.0012        16  

Complement of minimum mandatory dividends

     02.19.2020        (**)       (**)       431        0.0580        1        0.0001        432  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total for 2019

            1,387        0.1864        1,300        0.2320        2,687  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total for 2018

            507        0.0681        1,343        0.2397        1,850  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*) 

Amounts translated into U.S. dollar based on the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the approval, except for the complement of minimum mandatory dividends, based on the closing exchange rate at the date of the financial statements.

(**)

To be settled within 60 days after the Shareholder’s General Meeting.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Dividends payable attributable to shareholders of Petrobras amounts to US$ 1,530 as of December 31, 2019 (US$ 1,005 as of December 31, 2018), and comprise the minimum mandatory dividend of 25% of the adjusted income, including indexation charges based on Selic rate, net of the advances made during the year. In addition to the dividends payable to Petrobras’ shareholders, there are dividends payable to non-controlling shareholders for US$ 28, totaling US$ 1,558 accounted for in the statement of financial position as of December 31, 2019 (US$ 1,109 as of December 31, 2018).

34.8. Earnings per share

 

     2019      2018      2017  
     Common      Preferred      Total      Common      Preferred      Total      Common     Preferred     Total  

Net income attributable to shareholders of Petrobras

     5,790        4,361        10,151        4,093        3,080        7,173        (52     (39     (91

Continuing operations

     4,369        3,291        7,660        3,750        2,822        6,572        (198     (149     (347

Discontinued operations

     1,421        1,070        2,491        343        258        601        146       110       256  

Weighted average number of outstanding shares

     7,442,454,142        5,602,042,788        13,044,496,930        7,442,454,142        5,602,042,788        13,044,496,930        7,442,454,142       5,602,042,788       13,044,496,930  

Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share - in U.S. dollars

     0.78        0.78        0.78        0.55        0.55        0.55        (0.01     (0.01     (0.01

Continuing operations

     0.59        0.59        0.59        0.50        0.50        0.50        (0.03     (0.03     (0.03

Discontinued operations

     0.19        0.19        0.19        0.05        0.05        0.05        0.02       0.02       0.02  

Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per ADS equivalent - in U.S. dollars(*)

     1.56        1.56        1.56        1.10        1.10        1.10        (0.02     (0.02     (0.02

Continuing operations

     1.18        1.18        1.18        1.00        1.00        1.00        (0.06     (0.06     (0.06

Discontinued operations

     0.38        0.38        0.38        0.10        0.10        0.10        0.04       0.04       0.04  

 

(*)

Petrobras’ ADSs are equivalent to two shares.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

35.

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities

 

     Fair value measured based on  
     Level I      Level II      Level III      Total fair
value
recorded
 

Assets

           

Marketable securities

     1.352        —          —          1.352  

Commodity derivatives

     56        3        —          59  

Foreign currency derivatives

     —          15        —          15  

Interest rate derivatives

     —          10        —          10  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     1.408        18        —          1.426  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

     1.464        29        —          1.493  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Foreign currency derivatives

     —          (333      —          (333

Commodity derivatives

     —          3        —          (3

Interest rate derivatives

     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     —          (330      —          (336
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

     —          (349      —          (349
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The estimated fair value for the Company’s long-term debt, computed based on the prevailing market rates, is set out in note 10.

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term debt and other financial assets and liabilities are equivalent or do not differ significantly from their carrying amounts.

 

36.

Risk management

The Company is exposed to a variety of risks arising from its operations, including price risk (related to crude oil and oil products prices), foreign exchange rates risk, interest rates risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Corporate risk management is part of the Company’s commitment to act ethically and comply with the legal and regulatory requirements of the countries where it operates. To manage market and financial risks the Company prefers structuring measures through adequate capital and leverage management. While managing risks, the Company considers its corporate governance and controls, technical departments and statutory committees monitoring, under the guidance of the Board of Executive Officers and the Board of Directors. The Company takes account of risks in its business decisions and manages any such risk in an integrated manner in order to enjoy the benefits of diversification.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

A summary of the positions of the derivative financial instruments held by the Company and recognized in other current assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019 , as well as the amounts recognized in the statement of income and other comprehensive income and the guarantees given is set out as follows:

 

     Statement of Financial Position  
     Notional value     Fair value
Asset Position (Liability)
    Maturity  
     12.31.2019     12.31.2018     12.31.2019     12.31.2018        

Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting

          

Future contracts - total (*)

     (10,383     (14,043     (28     108    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Long position/Crude oil and oil products

     9,865       40,017       —         —         2020  

Short position/Crude oil and oil products

     (20,248     (54,060     —         —         2020  

Forward contracts

          

Long position/Foreign currency forwards (BRL/USD) (**)

   US$ 273     US$ 137       —         (2     2020  

Short position/Foreign currency forwards (BRL/USD) (**)

   US$ 0     US$ 92       —         (1     2020  

Long position/Foreign currency forwards (EUR/USD) (**)

   EUR  2245     EUR  3000       (45     (123     2020  

Long position/Foreign currency forwards (GPB/USD) (**)

   GBP 505     GBP  450       11       (11     2020  

Short position/Foreign currency forwards (GPB/USD) (**)

   GBP  282     GPB 31       (14     —         2020  

Swap

          

Foreign currency / Cross-currency Swap (**)

   GBP 700     GBP 700       32       1       2026  

Foreign currency / Cross-currency Swap (**)

   GBP 600     GBP  600       (50     (70.5     2034  

Interest / Swap

     3,008       —         6       —         2029/2034  

Foreign currency / Cross-currency Swap (**)

   US$ 240       —         11       —         2024/2029  
      

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total recognized in the Statement of Financial Position

         (77     (99  
      

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(*)

Notional value in thousands of bbl.

(**)

Amounts in US$, GBP and EUR are presented in million.

 

     Gains/(losses) recognized in the
statement of income
    Gains/(losses) recognized in
Shareholders’ Equity (*)
 
     2019     2018
Reclassified
    2017
Reclassified
    2019     2018
Reclassified
    2017
Reclassified
 
     Jan-Dec     Jan-Dec     Jan-Dez     Jan-Dec     Jan-Dec     n/a  

Commodity derivatives

     (370     (416     (121     —         —         —    

Foreign currency derivatives

     (166     (370     89       —         —         —    

Interest rate derivatives

     6       —         (9     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (530     (786     (41     —         —         —    

Cash flow hedge on exports (**)

     (3,136     (3,315     (3,154     (5,060     (5,635     (5,635
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (3,666     (4,101     (3,195     (5,060     (5,635     (5,635
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*)

Amounts recognized as other comprehensive income in the period.

(**)

Using non-derivative financial instruments as designated hedging instruments, as set out in note 28.2.

 

    Guarantees given as collateral  
    12.31.2019     12.31.2018  

Commodity derivatives

    57       (48

Foreign currency derivatives

    230       70  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    287       22  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

A sensitivity analysis of the derivative financial instruments for the different types of market risks as of December 31, 2019 is set out as follows:

 

Financial Instruments    Risk      Probable
Scenario (*)
     Reasonably
possible

scenario (*)
     Remote
Scenario (*)
 

Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting

           

Future contracts

     Crude oil and oil products -price changes        —          (128      (256

Forward contracts

     Foreign currency - depreciation BRL x USD        (3      (68      (136
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        (3      (196      (392

 

(*)

The probable scenario was computed based on the following risks: oil and oil products prices: fair value at December 31, 2019; Real x U.S. Dollar - 1.2% depreciation of the Real. Source: Focus. Reasonably possible and remote scenarios consider 25% and 50% deterioration in the associated risk variables, respectively.

36.1. Risk management of crude oil and oil products prices

The Company is usually exposed to commodity price cycles, although it may use derivative instruments to hedge exposures related to prices of products purchased and sold to fulfill operational needs and in specific circumstances depending on business environment analysis and assessment of whether the Business and Management targets are being met.

Crude Oil

In March 2019, Petrobras implemented a hedge strategy for part of its oil exports foreseen for 2019. Over-the-Counter (OTC) put options referenced in the average Brent oil prices from April to the end of 2019 were purchased with strike price of US$ 60/barrel, with premium of US$ 320. In 2018, a similar strategy was implemented, with an average strike price of US$ 65/barrel and total cost of approximately US$ 445.

However, in the third quarter of 2019, based on the significant reduction in cash flow uncertainties concerning the Business and Management Plan for 2019, Petrobras sold the put options at a strike price of US$ 60/barrel, totaling US$ 101 received.

In the year ended December 31, 2019, due to the mark to market of these put options and the increase of the commodity price in the international market, a US$ 216 loss was accounted as other income and expenses (a US$ 401 loss in the year ended December 31, 2018).

Gasoline

Since September 2018, the Company also has executed a hedge strategy related to gasoline prices and foreign exchange rates by using commodity derivatives and non-deliverable forwards (NDF), in order to give flexibility on its pricing policy for this oil product, allowing the Company to hold gasoline prices constant in the domestic market for periods of up to 15 days. The Company recognized a US$ 11 gain arising from this strategy in the year ended December 31, 2019, recorded in other income and expenses.

Diesel

With the objective of giving additional flexibility to the pricing policy, in December 2018, Petrobras adopted a hedge strategy applied to diesel prices and foreign exchange rates by using NDF, in a manner similar to the strategy applied to gasoline. In June 2019, Petrobras approved the review of the frequency of adjustments in the prices of diesel and gasoline. From then on, the price adjustments of diesel and gasoline are carried out without defined frequency. The Company recognized a US$ 12 loss arising from this strategy on diesel in the year ended December 31, 2019, recorded in other income and expenses.

When applying this hedge strategy, the Company maintains the principles that govern the practice of competitive prices, such as international parity price, margins according to the risks inherent to the operation, share of participation in the market and mechanisms of protection through derivatives.

Other commodity derivative transactions

Petrobras, by use of its assets, positions and market knowledge from its operations in Brazil and abroad, occasionally seeks to optimize some of its commercial operations in the international market, with the use of commodity derivatives to manage price risk. Changes in operations contracted for other commodities derivatives resulted in a US$ 150 loss in 2019 (a US$ 19 gain in 2018).

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

36.2. Foreign exchange risk management

The Company’s Risk Management Policy provides for, as an assumption, an integrated risk management that extends to the whole corporation, pursuing the benefit from the diversification of its businesses.

By managing its foreign exchange risk, the Company takes into account the group of cash flows derived from its operations. This concept is especially applicable to the risk relating to the exposure of the Brazilian Real against the U.S. dollar, in which future cash flows in U.S. dollar, as well as cash flows in Brazilian Real affected by the fluctuation between both currencies, such as cash flows derived from diesel and gasoline sales in the domestic market, are assessed in an integrated manner.

Accordingly, the financial risk management mainly involves structured actions encompassing the business of the Company.

Changes in the Real/U.S. dollar spot rate, as well as foreign exchange variation of the Real against other foreign currencies, may affect net income and the statement of financial position due to the exposures in foreign currencies, such as:

 

   

High probable future transactions;

 

   

Monetary items; and

 

   

Firm commitments.

The Company seeks to mitigate the effect of potential variations in the Real/U.S. dollar spot rates mainly raising funds denominated in US dollars, aiming at reducing the net exposure between obligations and receipts in this currency, thus representing a form of structural protection that takes into account criteria of liquidity and cost competitiveness.

Foreign exchange variation on future exports denominated in U.S. Dollar in a given period are efficiently hedged by the US dollar debt portfolio taking into account changes in such portfolio over time.

The foreign exchange risk management strategy may involve the use of derivative financial instruments to hedge certain liabilities, mitigating foreign exchange rate risk exposure, especially when the Company is exposed to a foreign currency in which no cash inflows are expected, for example, the Pound Sterling.

In the short-term, the foreign exchange risk is managed by applying resources in cash or cash equivalent denominated in Brazilian Real, U.S. Dollar or in another currency.

 

a)

Cash Flow Hedge involving the Company’s future exports

Aligned with Company’s foreign exchange risk management, and considering the initial adoption of IFRS 16 on January 1, 2019, the Company performed additional designations in the year ended December 31, 2019, amounting to US$ 28,009 (R$ 108,481 million), in which the hedged item was the highly probable future exports in US dollars, and as hedging instruments lease agreements denominated in US dollars.

The carrying amounts, the fair value as of December 31, 2019, and a schedule of expected reclassifications to the statement of income of cumulative losses recognized in other comprehensive income (shareholders’ equity) based on a US$ 1.00 / R$ 4.0307 exchange rate are set out below:

 

Present value of hedging instrument notional value at

12.31.2019

 

Hedging Instrument

   HedgedTransactions      Nature
of theRisk
     Maturity
Date
     (US$ million)      (R$ million)  

Foreign exchange gains and

losses on proportion of non-

derivative financial

instruments cash flows

    



Foreign exchange gains and
losses on a portion of highly
probable

future monthly exports
revenues

 
 
 

 
 

    

Foreign Currency

– Real vs U.S.

Dollar

Spot Rate

 

 

 

 

    
January 2019
to December 2028
 
 
     87,651        353,295  

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Changes in the present value of hedging instrument notional value

   US$      R$ million  

Amounts designated as of January 1, 2019

     66,168        256,390  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Additional hedging relationships designated, designations revoked and hedging instruments re-designated

     56,573        222,874  

Exports affecting the statement of income

     (9,247      (36,560

Principal repayments / amortization

     (25,843      (102,827

Foreign exchange variation

     —          13,418  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts designated as of December 31, 2019

     87,651        353,295  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Nominal value of hedging instrument (finance debt and lease liability) at December 31, 2019

     104,212        420,046  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized a US$ 9 gain within foreign exchange gains (losses) due to ineffectiveness (a US$ 50 loss in 2019).

The average ratio of future exports for which cash flow hedge accounting was designated to the highly probable future exports is 57.7%.

A roll-forward schedule of cumulative foreign exchange losses recognized in other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2019 is set out below:

 

     Exchange rate      Tax effect      Total  

Balance at January 1,2018

     (14,508      4,935        (9,573
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recognized in Other comprehensive income

     (8,950      3,043        (5,907

Reclassified to the statement of income - occurred exports

     3,315        (1,127      2,188  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

     (20,143      6,851        (13,292
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recognized in Other comprehensive income

     (3,510      1,192        (2,318

Reclassified to the statement of income - occurred exports

     3,136        (1,066      2,070  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     (20,517      6,977        (13,540
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Additional hedging relationships may be revoked or additional reclassification adjustments from equity to the statement of income may occur as a result of changes in forecasted export prices and export volumes following a review of the Company’s business plan. Based on a sensitivity analysis considering a US$ 10/barrel decrease in Brent prices stress scenario, when compared to the Brent price projections in our Strategic Plan 2020-2024, would not indicate a reclassification adjustment from equity to the statement of income.

A schedule of expected reclassification of cumulative foreign exchange losses recognized in other comprehensive income to the statement of income as of December 31, 2019 is set out below:

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023     2024     2025      2026 to 2028     Total  

Expected realization

     (4,673     (4,495     (4,851     (3,131     (1,925     (505     259        (1,196     (20,517

 

a.1)

Accounting policy

At inception of the hedge relationship, the Company documents its objective and strategy, including identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the hedged risk and evaluation of hedge effectiveness requirements.

Considering the natural hedge and the risk management strategy, the Company designates hedging relationships to account for the effects of the existing hedge between a foreign exchange gain or loss from proportions of its long-term debt obligations (denominated in U.S. dollars) and foreign exchange gain or loss of its highly probable U.S. dollar denominated future export revenues, so that gains or losses associated with the hedged transaction (the highly probable future exports) and the hedging instrument (debt obligations) are recognized in the statement of income in the same periods.

Foreign exchange gains and losses on proportions of debt obligations and lease liability (non-derivative financial instruments) have been designated as hedging instruments.

The highly probable future exports for each month are hedged by a proportion of the debt obligations with an equal US dollar nominal amount. Only a portion of the Company’s forecast exports are considered highly probable.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The Company’s future exports are exposed to the risk of variation in the Brazilian Real/U.S. dollar spot rate, which is offset by the converse exposure to the same type of risk with respect to its debt denominated in US dollar.

The hedge relationships are assessed on a monthly basis and they may cease and may be re-designated in order to achieve the risk management strategy.

Foreign exchange gains and losses relating to the effective portion of such hedges are recognized in other comprehensive income and reclassified to the statement of income within finance income (expense) in the periods when the hedged item affects the statement of income. The gains or losses relating to the ineffective portion are immediately recognized in finance income (expense).

Whenever a portion of future exports for a certain period, for which their foreign exchange gains and losses hedging relationship has been designated is no longer highly probable, the Company revokes the designation and the cumulative foreign exchange gains or losses that have been recognized in other comprehensive income remain separately in equity until the forecast exports occur.

If future exports for which foreign exchange gains and losses hedging relationship has been designated is no longer expected to occur, any related cumulative foreign exchange gains or losses that have been recognized in other comprehensive income from the date the hedging relationship was designated to the date the Company revoked the designation is immediately recycled from equity to the statement of income.

In addition, when a financial instrument designated as a hedging instrument expires or settles, the Company may replace it with another financial instrument in a manner in which the hedge relationship continues to occur. Likewise, whenever a hedged transaction effectively occurs, its financial instrument previously designated as a hedging instrument may be designated for a new hedge relationship.

The gains or losses relating to the ineffective portion are immediately recognized in finance income (expense). Ineffectiveness may occur as hedged items and hedge instruments have different maturity dates and due to discount rate used to determine their present value.

 

b)

Cross currency swap – Pounds Sterling x Dollar

In 2017, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Petrobras Global Trading B.V. (PGT), entered into cross currency swaps maturing in 2026 and 2034, with notional amounts of £ 700 million and £ 600 million, respectively, in order to hedge its Pounds/U.S. Dollar exposure arising from bonds issued amounting to £ 1,300. The Company recognized a US$ 241 loss in the year ended December 31, 2019 (a US$ 265 gain in the year ended December 31, 2018) arising from this strategy, recorded in finance income (expense). The Company does not expect to settle these swaps before their expiration dates.

 

c)

Swap contracts – National consumer price index (IPCA) x Brazilian interbank offering rate (CDI) and CDI x Dollar

In September 2019, Petrobras contracted a cross currency swap aiming to protect against exposure arising from the 7th issuance of debentures, settled on October 9, 2019, in the total notional amount of US$ 367 for IPCA x CDI operations, maturing in September 2029, and US$ 240 for CDI x U.S. Dollar operations, maturing in September 2024 and September 2029.

The mark to market of IPCA x CDI swap operations registered a US$ 11 gain in the year ended December 31, 2019, while the mark to market of CDI x USD swap operations presented a US$ 7 loss in the same period, both recorded as finance income (expense). The Company does not expect to settle these swaps before their expiration dates.

Changes in future interest rate curves (CDI) may have an impact on the Company’s results, due to the market value of these swap contracts. A sensitivity analysis on CDI with a constant increase (parallel shock) of 100 basis points, all other variables remaining constant, would result in a US$ 20 loss, while a constant reduction (parallel shock) of 100 basis points, would result in a US$ 24 gain.

 

d)

Non Deliverable Forward (NDF) – Euro x Dollar and Pounds Sterling x Dollar

In 2018, the Company, also through PGT, entered into non deliverable forwards with notional amounts of Euro 3,000 million and £ 419 million, maturing in 2019, in other to reduce its euro x dollar and pounds x dollar exposures raised by bonds issued. In the year ended December 31, 2019, the notional amount was reduced to Euro 2,255 million and £ 167 million, adjusting the protection to a lower exposure to the Euro and Pounds Sterling provided by the repurchase of bonds in these currencies over the course of this period. The Company recognized a US$ 227 loss in the year ended December 31, 2019 arising from this strategy (US$ 139 in the same period of 2018), recorded in finance income (expense). The Company does not expect to settle these NDFs before their expiration dates.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

e)

Sensitivity analysis for foreign exchange risk on financial instruments

A sensitivity analysis is set out below, showing the probable scenario for foreign exchange risk on financial instruments, computed based on external data along with stressed scenarios (a 25% and a 50% change in the foreign exchange rates), except for assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, when transacted in a currency equivalent to their respective functional currencies.

 

Financial Instruments    Exposure at
12.31.2019
    Risk      Probable
Scenario (*)
    Reasonably
possible

scenario
    Remote
Scenario
 

Assets

     6,088          74       1,522       3,044  

Liabilities

     (92,470     Dollar/Real        (1,130     (23,094     (46,188

Exchange rate - Cross currency swap

     (746        (9     (187     (373

Cash flow hedge on exports

     87,651          1,072       21,913       43,826  
  

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,046          14       309       618  

Assets

     3       Euro/Real        —         1       2  

Liabilities

     (18        —         (5     (9
  

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (15        —         (4     (7

Assets

     2,554       Euro/Dollar        (9     639       1,277  

Liabilities

     (5,136        19       (1,284     (2,568

Non Deliverable Forward (NDF)

     2,524          (9     631       1,262  
  

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (58        1       (14     (29

Assets

     2      

Pound

Sterling/Real

 

 

     —         1       1  

Liabilities

     (21        —         (5     (11
  

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (19        —         (4     (10

Assets

     1,925      

Pound Sterling

/Dollar


 

     (2     481       963  

Liabilities

     (3,863        5       (966     (1,932

Derivative - cross currency swap

     1,718          (2     429       859  

Non Deliverable Forward (NDF)

     216          —         54       108  
  

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (4        1       (2     (2
  

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total at December 31, 2019

     950          16       285       570  
  

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total at December 31, 2018

     848          6       210       422  
  

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*)

On December 31, 2019, the probable scenario was computed based on the following risks: R$ x U.S. Dollar—a 1.2% depreciation of the Real; Iene x Dollar: a 0.4% depreciation of the Iene; Euro x U.S. Dollar: a 0.4% depreciation of the Euro; Pound Sterling x U.S. Dollar: a 0.12% depreciation of the Pound Sterling; Real x Euro: a 0.9% depreciation of the Real; and Real x Pound Sterling—a 1.1% depreciation of the Real . Source: Focus and Bloomberg.

36.3. Interest rate risk management

The Company considers that interest rate risk does not create a significant exposure and therefore, preferably does not use derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk, except for specific situations faced by certain subsidiaries of Petrobras.

36.4. Credit risk

Credit risk management in Petrobras aims to mitigate risk of not collecting receivables, financial deposits or collateral from third parties or financial institutions through efficient credit analysis, granting and management based on quantitative and qualitative parameters that are appropriate for each market segment in which the Company operates.

The commercial credit portfolio is broad and diversified and comprises clients from the domestic and foreign markets. Credit granted to financial institutions is related to collaterals received, cash surplus invested and derivative financial instruments. It is spread among “investment grade” international banks rated by international rating agencies and Brazilian banks with low credit risk.

36.4.1. Credit quality of financial assets

 

a)

Trade and other receivables

The Company has internal credit commissions that assess creditworthiness and define credit limits, which are regularly monitored, based on the customer’s main activity, commercial relationship and credit history with Petrobras, solvency, financial situation and external market assessment of the customer.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

b)

Other financial assets

Credit quality of cash and cash equivalents, as well as marketable securities is based on external credit ratings provided by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch. The credit quality of those financial assets, that are neither past due nor considered to be credit impaired, are set out below:

 

     Cash and cash equivalents      Marketable securities  
     2019      2018      2019      2018  

AAA

     —          —          —          1  

AA

     1,053        811        —          —    

A

     1,173        8,421        —          —    

BBB

     41        51        —          —    

BB

     3,591        2,599        838        —    

B

     2        2        —          —    

AAA.br

     80        706        33        1,077  

AA.br

     1,224        1,299        48        58  

A.br

     —          —          —          —    

BB.br

     —          —          —          —    

Other ratings

     208        10        27        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     7,372        13,899        946        1,136  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

36.5. Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is represented by the possibility of a shortage of cash or other financial assets in order to settle the Company’s obligations on the agreed dates and is managed by the Company based on policies such as: centralization of cash management, optimization of the level of cash and cash equivalents held and reduction of working capital; maintenance of an adequate cash balance to ensure that cash need for investments and short-term obligations is met even in adverse market conditions; increase in the average debt maturity, increase in funding sources from domestic and international markets (new markets and financial products), as well as funds under the partnership and divestment program.

Following its liability management strategy, the Company regularly evaluates market conditions and may enter into transactions to repurchase its own securities or those of its affiliates, through a variety of means, including tender offers, make whole exercises and open market repurchases, in order to improve its debt repayment profile and cost of debt.

A maturity schedule of the Company’s finance debt (undiscounted), including face value and interest payments is set out as follows:

 

Maturity    2020      2021      2022      2023      2024      2025 and
thereafter
     Balance at
December 31,
2019
     Balance at
December 31,
2018
 

Principal

     3,551        4,217        4,829        8,139        8,627        35,921        65,284        85,279  

Interest

     3,295        3,201        3,024        2,738        2,354        29,247        43,859        51,359  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     6,846        7,418        7,853        10,877        10,981        65,168        109,143        136,638  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

36.6. Insurance

The Company’s insurance strategy involves acquiring insurance to cover risks that may produce material impacts and to cover risks that are subject to compulsory insurance coverage (pursuant to legal or contractual requirements). The remaining risks are self-insured and Petrobras intentionally assumes the entire risk by abstaining from contracting insurance. The Company assumes a significant portion of its risk, by entering into insurance policies that have deductible clauses up to the equivalent to US$180.

Additionally, the Company has indemnify clauses in its bylaws, as set out in note 30.

The main information concerning the insurance coverage outstanding at December 31, 2019 is set out below:

 

Assets    Types of coverage      Amount insured  

Facilities, equipment inventory and products inventory

    
Fire, operational risks
and engineering risks
 
 
     140,248  

Tankers and auxiliary vessels

     Hulls        3,212  

Fixed platforms, floating production systems and offshore drilling units

     Oil risks        27,505  
     

 

 

 

Total

        170,965  
     

 

 

 

Petrobras does not have loss of earnings insurance or insurance related to automobiles and pipeline networks in Brazil.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

37.

Related-party transactions

The Company has a related-party transactions policy, which is annually revised and approved by the Board of Directors, and is applicable to all the Petrobras Group, in accordance with the Company’s by-laws.

In order to ensure the goals of the Company are achieved and to align them with transparency of processes and corporate governance best practices, this policy guides Petrobras while entering into related-party transactions and dealing with potential conflicts of interest on these transactions, based on the following assumptions and provisions:

 

   

Prioritization of the Company’s interests regardless of the counterparty;

 

   

Arm’s length basis;

 

   

Compliance with market conditions, especially concerning terms, prices and guarantees or with adequate compensatory payment;

 

   

Accurate and timely disclosure in accordance with applicable authorities.

The Audit Committee must approve in advance transactions between the Company and its associates, the Brazilian Federal Government, including its agencies or similar bodies and controlled entities, taking into account the materiality established by this policy. The Audit Committee reports monthly to the Board of Directors.

Transactions with entities controlled by key management personnel or by their close family members are also approved in advance by the Audit Committee regardless of the amount involved.

Transactions with the Brazilian Federal Government, including its agencies or similar bodies and controlled entities, which are under the scope of Board of Directors approval, must be preceded by the Audit Committee and Minority Shareholders Committee assessment and must have prior approval of, at least, 2/3 of the board members.

The related-party transactions policy also aims to ensure an adequate and diligent decision-making process for the Company’s key management.

37.1. Transactions with joint ventures, associates, government entities and pension plans

The Company has engaged, and expects to continue to engage, in the ordinary course of business in numerous transactions with joint ventures, associates, pension plans, as well as with the Company’s controlling shareholder, the Brazilian Federal Government, which include transactions with banks and other entities under its control, such as financing and banking, asset management and other transactions.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The balances of significant transactions are set out in the following table:

 

     12.31.2019      12.31.2018  
     Assets      Liabilities      Assets      Liabilities  

Joint ventures and associates

           

Petrobras Distribuidora (BR)

     224        47        —          —    

Natural Gas Transportation Companies

     150        717        92        336  

State-controlled gas distributors (joint ventures)

     338        104        307        114  

Petrochemical companies (associates)

     47        29        90        7  

Other associates and joint ventures

     35        203        193        408  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     794        1,100        682        865  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Brazilian government – Parent and its controlled entities

           

Government bonds

     1,580        —          1,958        —    

Banks controlled by the Brazilian Government

     8,584        4,904        7,445        10,332  

Receivables from the Electricity sector (note 13.4)

     334        —          4,400        —    

Petroleum and alcohol account - receivables from the Brazilian Government

     304        —          307        —    

Diesel Price Subsidy Program

     —          —          400        —    

Brazilian Federal Government - dividends

     —          417        —          324  

Empresa Brasileira de Administração de Petróleo e Gás Natural – Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. – PPSA

     —          20        —          144  

Others

     45        43        64        121  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     10,847        5,384        14,574        10,921  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pension plans

     60        110        59        96  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     11,701        6,594        15,315        11,882  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current

     2,849        1,904        4,345        2,528  

Non-Current

     8,852        4,690        10,970        9,354  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     11,701        6,594        15,315        11,882  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Purchase of crude oil and natural gas and Production Individualization Agreements (AIPs).

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The income/expenses of significant transactions are set out in the following table:

 

     2019     2018     2017  
     Jan-Dec     Jan-Dec     Jan-Dec  

Joint ventures and associates

      

Petrobras Distribuidora (BR)

     7,242       —         —    

Natural Gas Transportation Companies

     (1,858     (932     (1,040

State-controlled gas distributors (joint ventures)

     2,812       2,306       2,203  

Petrochemical companies (associates)

     2,926       3,762       3,847  

Other associates and joint ventures

     208       36       407  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     11,330       5,172       5,417  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Brazilian government – Parent and its controlled entities

      

Government bonds

     107       109       153  

Banks controlled by the Brazilian Government

     (652     (902     (1,466

Receivables from the Electricity sector (note 5.4)

     300       1,713       643  

Petroleum and alcohol account - receivables from the Brazilian Government

     8       92       1  

Diesel Price Subsidy Program

     —         1,559       —    

Brazilian Federal Government - dividends

     (4     3       —    

Empresa Brasileira de Administração de Petróleo e Gás Natural – Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. – PPSA

     (110     (461     —    

Others

     (130     144       227  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     (482     2,257       (442
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     10,848       7,429       4,975  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenues, mainly sales revenues

     13,748       8,733       7,517  

Purchases and services

     (2,591     (2,239     (1,588

Foreign exchange and inflation indexation charges, net

     (395     (316     239  

Finance income (expenses), net

     87       1,251       (1,193
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     10,848       7,429       4,975  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

In addition to the aforementioned transactions, Petrobras and the Brazilian Federal Government entered into the Assignment Agreement in 2010, which grants the Company the right to carry out prospecting and drilling activities for hydrocarbons located in the pre-salt area limited to the production of five billion barrels of oil equivalent. For detailed information on Assignment Agreement, see note 9.

During the second quarter of 2019, the wholly owned subsidiary Transpetro signed an agreement with Transportadora Associada de Gás SA—TAG, an associate of Petrobras since June 13, 2019, to provide technical support services for gas transportation for a period of ten years.

For more information on the disposal of TAG, see note 9.

37.1.1. Diesel Price Subsidy Program

In 2018, after risk assessment, the Company joined the Diesel Price Subsidy Program established by the Brazilian Federal Government, specifically for that year. This program granted reimbursements to diesel producers and importers to the extent that their selling prices to the domestic distributors were equal or lower than prices determined by relevant regulation.

Through December 31, 2018, the Company accounted for US$ 1,415 as revenues with respect to sales within the second and third phases of the program. Of this amount, US$ 1,157 was disbursed to the Company in 2018, and the remaning balance through February 2019.

37.1.2. Accounting policy

A government grant is recognized when there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and the Company will comply with the conditions attached to the grant.

37.1.3. Petroleum and Alcohol accounts - Receivables from the Brazilian Federal Government

Pursuant to Provisional Measure 2,181 of August 24, 2001, the Brazilian Federal Government may settle the balance of receivables related to the Petroleum and Alcohol accounts by using National Treasury Notes in an amount equal to the outstanding balance, or allow the Company to offset the outstanding balance against amounts payable to the Federal Government, including taxes payable, or both.

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Following several negotiation attempts at the administrative level, the Company filed a lawsuit in July 2011 to collect the receivables. In October 2016, the court ruled in favor of the Company disallowing the use of an alleged debt from the liquidated company of the group, Petrobras Comércio Internacional S.A. – Interbrás, by the Brazilian Federal Government, when offsetting the outstanding balance. In July 2017, the Brazilian Federal Government appealed the ruling and, shortly after, the Regional Federal Court (Tribunal Regional Federal – TRF) denied the appeal, sustained the aforementioned ruling from 2016 and determined the settlement of the amount owed by the Brazilian Federal Government including inflation charges from August 2011 based on the National Consumer Price Index – IPCA and interest at rates provided for the Brazilian Federal Justice.

In September 2018, the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled on a decision of including inflation indexation on an amount to be paid by the Brazilian Federal Government with respect to another proceeding in which the Company is not a party. According to this decision, such inflation charges were stayed and this decision affects all similar claims in which the Brazilian Federal Government is a party.

In October 2019, the Superior Federal Court (Superior Tribunal Federal - STF) dismissed the Brazilian Federal Government’s appeal, maintaining the inflation indexation by the IPCA-E, according to the TRF ruling. Considering that the STF decision mentioned above has not yet become final and that the Brazilian Federal Government may challenge the Compliance with Judgment that Petrobras would present, the indexation to the IPCA-E, amounting to US$ 277 at December 31, 2019, remains unrecorded as it is classified as a contingent asset.

As of December 31, 2018, the balance of receivables related to the Petroleum and Alcohol accounts was US$ 304 (US$ 307 as of December 31, 2018), recorded within non-current assets.

On November 1, 2019, Petrobras presented Compliance with Judgment in the case file, intending to receive the amounts due by the Brazilian Federal Government. The proceeding is awaiting a decision from the judge and a subpoena of the Federal Government to proceed.

37.2. Compensation of key management personnel

The criteria for compensation of employees and officers are established based on the relevant labor legislation and the Company’s Positions, Salaries and Benefits Plan (Plano de Cargos e Salários e de Benefícios e Vantagens).

The compensation of employees (including those occupying managerial positions) and officers in December 2019 and December 2018 were:

 

Compensation of employees, excluding officers (amounts in U.S. dollars)    Dec/2019      Dec/2018  

Lowest compensation

     928        973  

Average compensation

     4,985        4,961  

Highest compensation

     26,602        27,219  

Compensation of highest paid Petrobras officer

     28,038        30,659  

The compensation of Executive Officers and Board Members of Petrobras parent company, which are based on the assumptions governed by the Secretariat of Management and Governance of the State-owned Companies (Secretaria de Coordenação e Governança das Empresas Estatais – SEST) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy, is set out as follows

 

     Jan-Dec/2019      Jan-Dec/2018  
     Officers      Board members      Total      Officers      Board members      Total  

Wages and short-term benefits

     2.9        0.3        3.2        3.6        0.4        4.0  

Social security and other employee-related taxes

     1.0        —          1.0        1.0        —          1.0  

Post-employment benefits (pension plan)

     0.4        —          0.4        0.3        —          0.3  

Variable compensation

     2.8        —          2.8        1.4        —          1.4  

Benefits due to termination of tenure

     0.4        —          0.4        0.5        —          0.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total compensation recognized in the statement of income

     7.5        0.3        7.8        6.8        0.4        7.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total compensation paid

     6.0        —          6.0        4.9        0.4        5.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average number of members in the period (*)

     7.67        9.75        17.42        7.92        10.08        18.00  

Average number of paid members in the period (**)

     7.67        5.00        12.67        7.92        6.00        13.92  

 

(*)

Monthly average number of members.

(**)

Monthly average number of paid members.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, charges related to compensation of the board members and executive officers of the Petrobras group amounted to US$ 15 (US$ 24.2 for the year ended December 31, 2018).

 

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Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

On September 30, 2019, the Company’s Extraordinary General Meeting approved a change in the overall compensation for executive officers and board members, given the creation of the Executive Office of Digital Transformation and Innovation, setting the total compensation threshold at US$ 8.2 from April 2019 to March 2020.

The compensation of the Advisory Committees to the Board of Directors is apart from the fixed compensation set for the Board Members and, therefore, has not been classified under compensation of Petrobras’ key management personnel.

In accordance with Brazilian regulations applicable to companies controlled by the Brazilian Federal Government, Board members who are also members of the Audit Committee or Audit Committee of the Petrobras Conglomerate are only compensated with respect to their Audit Committee duties. The total compensation concerning these members was US$ 431 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019 (US$ 507 thousand with social security and related charges).

In 2018, the Board of Directors approved the variable compensation program (PRV) of the Board of Executive Officers for the year 2018. The amount of compensation to be paid varies according to the percentage of achievement of the financial and operational targets. The program foresees compensations being disbursed through 5 years.

Exemption from damage (indemnity)

The company’s bylaws establishes the obligation to indemnify and keep the officers without losses, members with statutory functions and other employees and agents that legally act through officers’ delegation, so as to cope with certain expenses related to arbitration, judicial or administrative processes that involve acts performed in the exercise of their duties or powers, since the date of your possession or the since the beginning of the contractual relation with the Company.

The period of the agreement coverage began on December18, 2018 and continues until the occurrence of the following events, whichever comes last: (i) the end of the fifth (5th) year following the date on which the beneficiary leave, for any reason, to exercise the mandate, function or position; (ii) the course of the time required in transit of any Process in which the Beneficiary is partly due to the practice of Regular Management Act; or (iii) the course of the limitation period according to law to events that can generate the obligations of indemnification by the Company, including, but not limited to, the criminal statute applicable deadline, even if such period is applied by administrative authorities. The maximum exposure established by the company (global limit for all eventual claims) until April 2020 is US$ 500.

Indemnity agreements shall not cover: (i) acts covered under and insurance policy purchased by the Company, as formally recognized and implemented by the insurance company; (ii) acts outside the regular exercise of the duties or powers of the Beneficiaries; (iii) acts in bad faith act, malicious acts, fraud or serious fault on the part of the Beneficiaries; (iv) self-interested acts or in favor of third parties that damage the company’s social interest; (v) obligation to pay damages arising from social action according to article 159 of Law 6,404/76 or reimbursement of the damages according to art. 11, § 5°, II of Law 6,385/76; (iv) other cases where a manifest conflict of interest with the company is established. It is worth noting that after a final unappealable decision, if it is proved that the act performed by the beneficiary is not subject to indemnification, the beneficiary is obligated to return the advanced amounts to the company.

In case of potential conflicts of interest, it is important to mention that the company may hire outside professionals, with a principled, impartial and independent reputation and with a strong experience to evaluate eventual indemnity lawsuits, verifying whether or not the act will be covered. In addition, the beneficiary of an indemnity agreement would be prevented from attending meetings or discussions concerning the payment approval of his or her own expenses.

 

38.

Supplemental information on statement of cash flows

 

     Jan-Dec/2019      Jan-Dec/2018  

Amounts paid/received during the period:

     

Withholding income tax paid on behalf of third-parties

     1,165        839  

Capital expenditures and financing activities not involving cash

     

Purchase of property, plant and equipment on credit

     76        137  

Lease (*)

     2,301        —    

Provision/(reversals) for decommissioning costs

     5,497        4,777  

Use of deferred tax and judicial deposit for the payment of contingency

     3        60  
     

 

(*)

The effects arising from the adoption of IFRS 16 are set out in note 33.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Notes to the financial statements
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

39.

Information related to guaranteed securities issued by subsidiaries

 

39.1.

Petrobras Global Finance B.V. (PGF)

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras fully and unconditionally guarantees the debt securities issued by Petrobras Global Finance B.V. (PGF), a 100-percent-owned finance subsidiary of Petrobras. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of Petrobras to obtain funds from PGF.

 

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Table of Contents
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras    LOGO
Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)
(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

This section provides supplemental information on oil and gas exploration and production activities of the Company. The information included in items (i) through (iii) provides historical cost information pertaining to costs incurred in exploration, property acquisition and development, capitalized costs and results of operations. The information included in items (iv) and (v) presents information on Petrobras’ estimated net proved reserve quantities, standardized measure of estimated discounted future net cash flows related to proven reserves, and changes in estimated discounted future net cash flows.

The Company, on December 31, 2019, maintains activities mainly in Brazil, in addition to activities in Argentina, Colombia and Bolivia, in South America. The equity-accounted investments are comprised of the operations of Petrobras Oil and Gas B.V. (PO&G) in Nigeria, Africa (note 30.1), and the joint venture company of which Murphy Exploration & Production Company (“Murphy” ) has 80% stake and Petrobras America Inc (“PAI”) 20% stake in United States of America, North America. The Company reports its reserves in Brazil, United States of America, Nigeria and Argentina. Bolivian reserves are not included due to restrictions determined by Bolivian Constitution. In Colombia, our activities are exploratory, and therefore, there are no associated reserves.

 

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Table of Contents

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

i) Capitalized costs relating to oil and gas producing activities

As set out in note 26, the Company uses the successful efforts method of accounting for appraisal and development costs of crude oil and natural gas production. In addition, notes 23.3 and 24.2 presents the accounting policies applied by the Company for recognition, measurement and disclosure of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.

The following table summarizes capitalized costs for oil and gas exploration and production activities with the related accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, and asset retirement obligations:

 

     Consolidated entities        
           Abroad           Equity
Method
Investees
 
     Brazil     South
America
    North
America
    Others     Total     Total  

December 31, 2019

              

Unproved oil and gas properties

     23,063       117       —         —         117       23,180       —    

Proved oil and gas properties

     81,063       135       —         —         135       81,198       4,202  

Support Equipment

     88,289       687       —         1       688       88,977       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross Capitalized costs

     192,414       940       —         1       941       193,355       4,202  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (51,332     (581     —         (1     (582     (51,914     (1,690
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net capitalized costs

     141,081       359       —         —         359       141,441       2,513  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

              

Unproved oil and gas properties

     5,999       112       —         —         112       6,111       —    

Proved oil and gas properties

     88,572       144       —         —         144       88,716       4,091  

Support Equipment

     83,822       649       —         389       1,038       84,860       6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross Capitalized costs

     178,393       905       —         389       1,294       179,687       4,097  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (60,890     (544     —         (29     (573     (61,463     (1,410
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net capitalized costs

     117,503       361       —         360       721       118,224       2,687  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2017

              

Unproved oil and gas properties

     5,803       109       —         —         109       5,912       —    

Proved oil and gas properties

     96,195       111       4,656       —         4,767       100,962       3,134  

Support Equipment

     86,021       606       81       392       1,079       87,100       6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross Capitalized costs

     188,019       826       4,737       392       5,955       193,974       3,140  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (63,245     (504     (2,217     (12     (2,733     (65,978     (1,287
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net capitalized costs

     124,774       322       2,520       380       3,222       127,996       1,853  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

ii) Costs incurred in oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities

Costs incurred are summarized below and include both amounts expensed and capitalized:

 

     Consolidated entities         
            Abroad             Equity
Method
Investees
 
     Brazil      South
America
     North
America
     Others      Total      Total  

December 31, 2019

                    

Acquisition costs:

                    

Proved

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —    

Unproved (*)

     16,670        —          —          —          —          16,670        —    

Exploration costs

     1,069        11        —          —          11        1,080        3  

Development costs

     6,819        6        —          —          6        6,825        150  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     24,558        17        —          —          17        24,575        153  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

                    

Acquisition costs:

                    

Proved

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —    

Unproved

     832        —          —          —          —          832        —    

Exploration costs

     776        10        1        —          11        787        5  

Development costs

     9,685        32        229        —          261        9,946        252  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     11,293        43        230        —          272        11,565        257  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2017

                    

Acquisition costs:

                    

Proved

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —    

Unproved

     903        —          —          —          —          903        —    

Exploration costs

     1,223        33        4        —          37        1,260        4  

Development costs

     11,553        23        230        —          253        11,806        294  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     13,679        56        234        —          290        13,969        298  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Mainly acquisition of oil exploration rights - Transfer of Rights, according to note 23.4

(iii) Results of operations for oil and gas producing activities

The Company’s results of operations from oil and gas producing activities for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are shown in the following table. The Company transfers substantially all of its Brazilian crude oil and gas production to the Refining, Transportation & Marketing segment in Brazil. The internal transfer prices calculated by the Company’s model may not be indicative of the price the Company would have realized had this production been sold in an unregulated spot market. Additionally, the prices calculated by the Company’s model may not be indicative of the future prices to be realized by the Company. Gas prices used are those set out in contracts with third parties.

Production costs are lifting costs incurred to operate and maintain productive wells and related equipment and facilities, including operating employees’ compensation, materials, supplies, fuel consumed in operations and operating costs related to natural gas processing plants.

Exploration expenses include the costs of geological and geophysical activities and projects without economic feasibility. Depreciation and amortization expenses relate to assets employed in exploration and development activities. In accordance with Codification Topic 932 – Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas, income taxes are based on statutory tax rates, reflecting allowable deductions. Interest income and expense are excluded from the results reported in this table.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

     Consolidated entities        
           Abroad           Equity
Method
Investees
 
     Brazil     South
America
    North
America
    Others     Total     Total  

December 31, 2019

              

Net operation revenues:

              

Sales to third parties

     888       174       —         —         174       1,062       1,114  

Intersegment

     49,400       —         —         —         —         49,400       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     50,288       174       —         —         174       50,462       1,114  

Production costs

     (15,749     (69     —         —         (69     (15,818     (124

Exploration expenses

     (793     (6     —         —         (6     (799     (5

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (11,436     (37     —         (13     (50     (11,486     (292

Impairment of oil and gas properties

     (1,535     —         —         (421     (421     (1,956     —    

Other operating expenses

     (1,420     (13     41       (34     (6     (1,426     (20
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Results before income tax expenses

     19,354       50       41       (468     (377     18,977       672  

Income tax expenses

     (6,579     (17     (14     159       128       (6,451     (229
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Results of operations (excluding corporate overhead and interest costs)

     12,775       33       27       (309     (249     12,526       443  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

              

Net operation revenues:

              

Sales to third parties

     1,142       190       998       —         1,188       2,330       375  

Intersegment

     50,052       —         —         —         —         50,052       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     51,194       190       998       —         1,188       52,382       375  

Production costs

     (19,741     (77     (152     —         (229     (19,970     (40

Exploration expenses

     (516     (7     (1     —         (8     (524     (2

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (8,716     (40     (221     (21     (282     (8,998     (109

Impairment of oil and gas properties

     (686     —         (705     —         (705     (1,391     —    

Other operating expenses

     (2,188     (839     (88     (38     (965     (3,153     (12
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Results before income tax expenses

     19,347       (773     (169     (59     (1,001     18,346       212  

Income tax expenses

     (6,576     263       57       20       340       (6,236     (162
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Results of operations (excluding corporate overhead and interest costs)

     12,771       (510     (112     (39     (661     12,110       50  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2017

              

Net operation revenues:

              

Sales to third parties

     482       215       725       —         940       1,422       443  

Intersegment

     40,762       —         —         —         —         40,762       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     41,244       215       725       —         940       42,184       443  

Production costs

     (17,894     (71     (163     —         (234     (18,128     (51

Exploration expenses

     (686     (37     (77     —         (114     (800     1  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     9,466       (44     (302     (8     (354     (9,820     (123

Impairment of oil and gas properties

     169       (13     (113     —         (126     43       —    

Other operating expenses

     (2,571     (12     (125     (274     (411     (2,982     (19
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Results before income tax expenses

     10,796       38       (55     (282     (299     10,497       251  

Income tax expenses

     3,672       (13     18       96       101       (3,571     (98
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Results of operations (excluding corporate overhead and interest costs)

     7,124       25       (37     (186     (198     6,926       153  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

(iv) Reserve quantities information

As presented in note 4.1, proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations – prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or there must be reasonable certainty that the project will commence within a reasonable time. Reserves estimate involves a high degree of judgment and complexity and its application affects different items of these Financial Statements.

The Company’s estimated net proved oil and gas reserves and changes thereto for the years 2019, 2018 and 2017 are shown in the following table. Proved reserves are estimated in accordance with the reserve definitions prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Proved developed oil and gas reserves are proved reserves that can be expected to be recovered: (i) through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and (ii) through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is done by means not involving a well.

In some cases, substantial new investments in additional wells and related facilities will be required to recover these proved reserves and are named proved undeveloped reserves.

Reserve estimates are subject to variations due to technical uncertainties in the reservoir and changes in economic scenarios. A summary of the annual changes in the proved reserves of oil is as follows (in millions of barrels):

 

           Abroad              

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves - Consolidated Entities (*)

   Crude oil
in Brazil
    South
America
    North
America
    Africa      Total of
crude oil
abroad
    Synthetic oil
in Brazil
    Total  

Reserves at December 31, 2016

     8,063.0       0.8       96.4       —          97.3       6.8       8,167.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     649.3       0.3       31.4       —          31.7       0.2       681.1  

Extensions and discoveries

     69.1       0.3       —         —          0.3       —         69.4  

Improved Recovery

     212.7       —         —         —          —         —         212.7  

Production for the year

     (744.6     (0.2     (13.2     —          (13.4     (1.0     (759.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2017 (1)

     8,249.4       1.2       114.6       —          115.8       6.0       8,371.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transfers by loss of control (2)

     —         —         (100.4     —          (100.4     —         (100.4

Revisions of previous estimates

     342.7       —         —         —          —         (0.3     342.5  

Extensions and discoveries

     308.5       0.6       —         —          0.6       —         309.1  

Improved Recovery

     224.2       —         —         —          —         —         224.2  

Sales of reserves

     (254.8     —         —         —          —         —         (254.8

Production for the year

     (701.3     (0.3     (14.3     —          (14.5     (0.9     (716.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2018

  

 

8,168.7

 

    1.6       —         —          1.6       4.8       8,175.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     718.8       —         —         —          —         —         718.8  

Extensions and discoveries

     17.5       —         —         —          —         3.6       21.1  

Sales of reserves

     (68.3     —         —         —          —         —         (68.3

Production for the year

     (753.9     (0.2     —         —          (0.2     (0.8     (754.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2019

     8,082.8       1.4       —         —          1.4       7.7       8,091.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

In 2017, total proved reserves includes 263.7 million barrels related to assets held for sale.

(2)

Amounts transferred from consolidated entities to equity method investees, as the Company concluded the operation that has resulted in the formation of a joint venture company (“JV”), of which Murphy Exploration & Production Company (“Murphy” ) has 80% stake and Petrobras America Inc (“PAI”) 20% stake.

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

            Abroad               

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves - Equity Method Investees (*)

   Crude oil
in Brazil
     South
America
     North
America
    Africa     Total of
crude oil
abroad
    Brazil’s
Synthetic Oil
     Total  

Reserves at December 31, 2016

     —          —          —         69.0       69.0       —          69.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     —          —          —         2.6       2.6       —          2.6  

Production for the year

     —          —          —         (8.2     (8.2     —          (8.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2017

     —          —          —         63.4       63.4       —          63.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Transfers by loss of control (2)

     —          —          100.4       —         100.4       —          100.4  

Revisions of previous estimates

     —          —          (0.9     3.7       2.9       —          2.9  

Sales of reserves

     —          —          (80.4     —         (80.4     —          (80.4

Purchases of reserves

     —          —          7.9       —         7.9       —          7.9  

Production for the year

     —          —          (0.4     (7.3     (7.7     —          (7.7
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2018 (1)

        —          26.6       59.8       86.4       —          86.4  
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     —          —          0.7       (6.5     (5.8     —          (5.8

Extensions and discoveries

     —          —          —         0.6       0.6       —          0.6  

Production for the year

     —          —          (4.7     (12.3     (16.9     —          (16.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2019 (1)

     —          —          22.7       41.6       64.2       —          64.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

In 2018, total proved reserves includes 59.8 million barrels related to PO&G assets held for sale. In 2019, total proved reserves include 41.6 million barrels of assets held for sale (PO&G).

(2)

Amounts transferred from consolidated entities to equity method investees, as the Company concluded the operation that has resulted in the formation of a joint venture company (“JV”), of which Murphy Exploration & Production Company (“Murphy” ) has 80% stake and Petrobras America Inc (“PAI”) 20% stake.

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

 

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Table of Contents

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

A summary of the annual changes in the proved reserves of natural gas is as follows (in billions of cubic feet):

 

           Abroad              

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves - Consolidated Entities (*)

   Natural
Gas in
Brazil
    South
America
    North
America
    Africa      Total
Natural
Gas
Abroad
    Brazil’s
Synthetic
Gas
    Total  

Reserves at December 31, 2016

     8,394.0       113.9       87.2       —          201.1       9.2       8,604.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     (81.5     19.5       (24.9     —          (5.5     0.1       (86.9

Extensions and discoveries

     37.4       41.0       —         —          41.0       —         78.4  

Improved Recovery

     204.2       —         —         —          —         —         204.2  

Production for the year

     (877.9     (14.2     (21.3     —          (35.5     (1.2     (914.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2017 (1)

     7,676.1       160.2       40.9       —          201.1       8.1       7,885.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transfers by loss of control (2)

     —         —         (36.8     —          (36.8     —         (36.8

Revisions of previous estimates

     737.2       —         —         —          —         (1.0     736.2  

Extensions and discoveries

     136.8       70.1       —         —          70.1       —         206.9  

Improved Recovery

     207.6       —         —         —          —         —         207.6  

Sales of reserves

     (165.5     —         —         —          —         —         (165.5

Production for the year

     (801.8     (16.2     (4.1     —          (20.3     (1.3     (823.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2018

     7,790.5       214.1       —         —          214.1       5.7       8,010.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     1,415.7       (42.3     —         —          (42.3     —         1,373.4  

Extensions and discoveries

     15.3       —         —         —          —         7.6       22.9  

Sales of reserves

     (24.0     —         —         —          —         —         (24.0

Production for the year

     (816.9     (15.5     —         —          (15.5     (1.2     (833.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2019

     8,380.6       156.3       —         —          156.3       12.1       8,549.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

In 2017, total proved reserves includes 173.7 billion cubic feet related to assets held for sale.

(2)

Amounts transferred from consolidated entities to equity method investees, as the Company concluded the operation that has resulted in the formation of a joint venture company (“JV”), of which Murphy Exploration & Production Company (“Murphy” ) has 80% stake and Petrobras America Inc (“PAI”) 20% stake.

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

 

            Abroad               

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves - Equity Method Investees (*)

   Natural
Gas in
Brazil
     South
America
     North
America
    Africa     Total
Natural
Gas
Abroad
    Brazil’s
Synthetic
Gas
     Total  

Reserves at December 31, 2016

     —          —          —         12.5       12.5       —          12.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     —          —          —         5.7       5.7       —          5.7  

Production for the year

     —          —          —         (0.9     (0.9     —          (0.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2017

     —          —          —         17.3       17.3       —          17.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Transfers by loss of control (2)

     —          —          36.8       —         36.8       —          36.8  

Revisions of previous estimates

     —          —          (3.1     34.8       31.8       —          31.8  

Sales of reserves

     —          —          (29.7     —         (29.7     —          (29.7

Purchases of reserves

     —          —          6.9       —         6.9       —          6.9  

Production for the year

     —          —          (0.1     (4.8     (4.9     —          (4.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2018 (1)

     —          —          10.8       47.3       58.1       —          58.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     —          —          0.1       10.9       11.0       —          11.0  

Extensions and discoveries

     —          —          —         0.3       0.3       —          0.3  

Production for the year

     —          —          (1.7     (11.3     (13.0     —          (13.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2019 (1)

     —          —          9.2       47.2       56.4       —          56.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1)

In 2018, total proved reserves includes 47.3 billion cubic feet related to PO&G assets held for sale. In 2019, total proved reserves includes 47.2 billion cubic feet related to PO&G assets held for sale.

(2)

Amounts transferred from consolidated entities to equity method investees, as the Company concluded the operation that has resulted in the formation of a joint venture company (“JV”), of which Murphy Exploration & Production Company (“Murphy” ) has 80% stake and Petrobras America Inc (“PAI”) 20% stake.

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

Natural gas production volumes used in these tables are the net volumes withdrawn from our proved reserves, including gas consumed in operations and excluding reinjected gas. Our disclosure of proved gas reserves includes gas volumes consumed, which represent 34% of our total proved reserves of natural gas at December, 2019.

 

F-125


Table of Contents

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

The tables below summarizes information about the changes in total proved reserves of crude oil and natural gas, in millions of barrels of oil equivalent, in our consolidated entities and equity method investees for 2019, 2018 and 2017:

 

           Abroad              

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves – Consolidated
Entities (*)

   Oil
equivalent in
Brazil
    South
America
    North
America
    Africa      Total oil
equivalent
abroad
    Total
synthetic oil
equivalent in
Brazil
    Total for all
products
 

Reserves at December 31, 2016

     9,462.0       19.8       111.0       —          130.8       8.3       9,601.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     635.7       3.5       27.2       —          30.7       0.2       666.6  

Extensions and discoveries

     75.4       7.1       —         —          7.1       —         82.5  

Improved Recovery

     246.7       —         —         —          —         —         246.7  

Production for the year

     (891.0     (2.6     (16.7     —          (19.3     (1.2     (911.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2017 (1)

     9,528.8       27.9       121.5       —          149.3       7.4       9,685.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transfers by loss of control (2)

     —         —         (106.5     —          (106.5     —         (106.5

Revisions of previous estimates

     465.6       —         —         —          —         (0.4     465.2  

Extensions and discoveries

     331.3       12.3       —         —          12.3       —         343.6  

Improved Recovery

     258.8       —         —         —          —         —         258.8  

Sales of reserves

     (282.4     —         —         —          —         —         (282.4

Production for the year

     (834.9     (3.0     (15.0     —          (17.9     (1.2     (854.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2018

     9,467.1       37.2       —         —          37.2       5.8       9,510.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     954.7       (7.0     —         —          (7.0     —         947.7  

Extensions and discoveries

     20.1       —         —         —          —         4.9       25.0  

Sales of reserves

     (72.3     —         —         —          —         —         (72.3

Production for the year

     (890.0     (2.8     —         —          (2.8     (1.0     (893.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2019

     9,479.6       27.4       —         —          27.4       9.7       9,516.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

In 2017, total proved reserves includes 292.7 million barrels of oil equivalent related to assets held for sale.

(2)

Amounts transferred from consolidated entities to equity method investees, as the Company concluded the operation that has resulted in the formation of a joint venture company (“JV”), of which Murphy Exploration & Production Company (“Murphy” ) has 80% stake and Petrobras America Inc (“PAI”) 20% stake.

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

 

            Abroad               

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves - Equity Method
Investees (*)

   Oil
equivalent in
Brazil
     South
America
     North
America
    Africa     Total oil
equivalent
abroad
    Total
synthetic oil
equivalent in
Brazil
     Total for all
products
 

Reserves at December 31, 2016

     —          0.0        —         71.1       71.1       —          71.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     —          —          —         3.5       3.5       —          3.5  

Production for the year

     —          —          —         (8.3     (8.3     —          (8.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2017

     —          —          —         66.3       66.3       —          66.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Transfers by loss of control (2)

     —          —          106.5       —         106.5       —          106.5  

Revisions of previous estimates

     —          —          (1.4     9.6       8.2       —          8.2  

Sales of reserves

     —          —          (85.4     —         (85.4     —          (85.4

Purchases of reserves

     —          —          9.1       —         9.1       —          9.1  

Production for the year

     —          —          (0.5     (8.1     (8.6     —          (8.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2018 (1)

     —          —          28.4       67.7       96.1       —          96.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     —          —          0.7       (4.7     (4.0     —          (4.0

Extensions and discoveries

     —          —          —         0.6       0.6       —          0.6  

Production for the year

     —          —          (4.9     (14.1     (19.1     —          (19.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2019 (1)

     —          —          24.2       49.5       73.6       —          73.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

In 2018, total proved reserves includes 67.7 million barrels of oil equivalent related to PO&G assets held for sale. In 2019, total proved reserves includes 49.5 million barrels of oil equivalent related to PO&G assets held for sale.

(2)

Amounts transferred from consolidated entities to equity method investees, as the Company concluded the operation that has resulted in the formation of a joint venture company (“JV”), of which Murphy Exploration & Production Company (“Murphy” ) has 80% stake and Petrobras America Inc (“PAI”) 20% stake.

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

 

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Table of Contents

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

           Abroad              

Proved developed and undeveloped reserves -Consolidated and
Equity Method Investees (*)

   Oil
equivalent in
Brazil
    South
America
    North
America
    Africa     Total oil
equivalent
abroad
    Total
synthetic oil
equivalent in
Brazil
    Total for all
products
 

Reserves at December 31, 2016

     9,462.0       19.8       111.0       71.1       201.8       8.3       9,672.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     635.7       3.5       27.2       3.5       34.3       0.2       670.1  

Extensions and discoveries

     75.4       7.1       —         —         7.1       —         82.5  

Improved Recovery

     246.7       —         —         —         —         —         246.7  

Production for the year

     (891.0     (2.6     (16.7     (8.3     (27.7     (1.2     (919.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2017 (1)

     9,528.8       27.9       121.5       66.3       215.6       7.4       9,751.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     465.6       —         (1.4     9.6       8.2       (0.4     473.3  

Extensions and discoveries

     331.3       12.3       —         —         12.3       —         343.6  

Improved Recovery

     258.8       —         —         —         —         —         258.8  

Sales of reserves

     (282.4     —         (85.4     —         (85.4     —         (367.8

Purchases of reserves

     —         —         9.1       —         9.1       —         9.1  

Production for the year

     (834.9     (3.0     (15.4     (8.1     (26.5     (1.2     (862.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2018 (1)

     9,467.1       37.2       28.4       67.7       133.3       5.8       9,606.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revisions of previous estimates

     954.7       (7.0     0.7       (4.7     (11.0     —         943.7  

Extensions and discoveries

     20.1       —         —         0.6       0.6       4.9       25.6  

Sales of reserves

     (72.3     —         —         —         —         —         (72.3

Production for the year

     (890.0     (2.8     (4.9     (14.1     (21.9     (1.0     (912.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserves at December 31, 2019 (1)

     9,479.6       27.4       24.2       49.5       101.1       9.7       9,590.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

In 2017, total proved reserves includes 292.7 million barrels of oil equivalent related to assets held for sale in Brazil; in 2018, includes 67.7 million barrels of oil equivalent related to PO&G assets held for sale in Africa; and in 2019, includes 49.5 million barrels of oil equivalent related to assets held for sale in Africa.

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

In 2019, we incorporated 943.7 million boe of reserves proved by revisions of previous estimates, composed of:

(i) addition of 529.1 million boe due to technical reviews, mainly associated with good performance and increased production experience of pre-salt reservoirs in the Santos Basin;

(ii) addition of 266.8 million boe referring to contractual revisions, including the reallocation of volumes due to the revision of the Transfer of Rights agreement, and the extension of concession contracts in Brazil;

(iii) addition of 242.6 million boe due to the approval of new projects in the Santos, Campos and Espírito Santo Basins; and

(iv) a 94.8 million boe reduction due to economic revisions, mainly due to the price reduction.

We also incorporated 25.6 million boe into our proved reserves due to discoveries and extensions, mainly in the Santos Basin pre-salt, and reduced 72.3 million boe from our proved reserves due to proved reserve sales.

Considering the production of 912.8 million boe in 2019 and the variations above, the company’s total proved reserve resulted in 9,590.4 million boe in 2019. Production refers to volumes that were included in our reserves and, therefore, does not consider natural gas liquids, since the reserve is estimated at a reference point prior to gas processing, except in the United States and Argentina. The production also does not consider volumes of injected gas, the production of Extended Well Tests in exploratory blocks and production in Bolivia, since the Bolivian Constitution does not allow the disclosure of reserves.

In 2018, we incorporated 473.3 million boe of proved reserves by revising of previous estimates, including 233.5 million boe due to economic revisions, mainly due to the increase in prices, and 239.9 million boe due to technical revisions, mainly due to the good performance of reservoirs in the pre-salt layer of Santos and Campos basins, both in Brazil. In addition, we added 258.8 million boe in our proved reserves resulting from positive responses from improved recovery (water injection), and added 343.6 million boe in our proved reserves due to extensions and discoveries, mainly in the pre-salt of Santos basin.

We reduced 367.8 million boe of our proved reserves due to sales of reserves and increased 9.1 million boe in our proved reserves due to purchases of reserves, resulting in a net effect of a decrease of 358.7 million boe in our proved reserves.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

Considering a production of 862.6 million boe in 2018 and changes above, the company total proved reserves resulted in 9,606.2 million boe. This 862.6 million boe production volume is the net volume withdrawn from our proved reserves. Therefore, exclude NGL (except for North America), as we estimate our oil and gas reserves at a reference point prior to the gas processing plants, and does not consider the production of Extended Well Tests (EWTs) in exploratory blocks and production in Bolivia, since the Bolivian Constitution prohibits the disclosure and registration of its reserves.

In 2017, we incorporated 670.1 million boe of proved reserves by revising of previous estimates, including 355.4 million boe due to economic revisions, mainly due to the increase in prices, and 314.7 million boe due to technical revisions, mainly due to better than forecasted behavior from reservoirs, in the pre-salt layer of Santos and Campos basins, both in Brazil. In addition, we added 246.7 million boe in our proved reserves resulting from positive responses from improved recovery (water injection), and added 82.5 million boe in our proved reserves due to extensions and discoveries, mainly in the pre-salt of Santos basin.

Considering a production of 919.8 million boe in 2017, the company total proved reserves resulted in 9,751.7 million boe. This 919.8 million boe production does not consider the production of Extended Well Tests (EWTs) in exploratory blocks and production in Bolivia, since the Bolivian Constitution prohibits the disclosure and registration of its reserves.

The tables below show the volumes of proved developed and undeveloped reserves, net, that is, reflecting Petrobras’ participation:

 

     2017  
     Crude Oil      Synthetic Oil      Natural Gas      Synthetic Gas      Total oil and gas  
     (mmbbl)      (bncf)      (mmboe)  

Net proved developed reserves (*):

              

Consolidated Entities

              

Brazil

     4,282.2        6.0        4,515.9        8.1        5,042.2  

South America, outside Brazil

     0.7        —          56.7        —          10.2  

North America

     72.1        —          24.2        —          76.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated Entities

     4,355.0        6.0        4,596.8        8.1        5,128.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity Method Investees

              

Africa

     29.6        —          9.3        —          31.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity Method Investees

     29.6        —          9.3        —          31.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated and Equity Method Investees (1)

     4,384.6        6.0        4,606.0        8.1        5,159.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net proved undeveloped reserves (*):

              

Consolidated Entities

              

Brazil

     3,967.2        —          3,160.2        —          4,493.9  

South America, outside Brazil

     0.5        —          103.5        —          17.7  

North America

     42.6        —          16.7        —          45.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated Entities

     4,010.2        —          3,280.5        —          4,557.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity Method Investees

              

Africa

     33.8        —          8.0        —          35.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity Method Investees

     33.8        —          8.0        —          35.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated and Equity Method Investees (1)

     4,044.0        —          3,288.5        —          4,592.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total proved reserves (developed and undeveloped)

     8,428.6        6.0        7,894.5        8.1        9,751.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

It includes amounts related to assets held for sale (191.9 million barrels of oil and 131.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas in net proved developed reserves and 71.9 million barrels of oil and 41.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas in net proved undeveloped reserves) in Brazil.

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

     2018  
     Crude Oil      Synthetic Oil      Natural Gas      Synthetic Gas      Total oil and
gas
 
     (mmbbl)      (bncf)      (mmboe)  

Net proved developed reserves (*):

              

Consolidated Entities

              

Brazil

     4,339.5        4.8        4,807.0        5.7        5,146.4  

South America, outside Brazil

     1.0        —          83.5        —          15.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated Entities

     4,340.5        4.8        4,890.5        5.7        5,161.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity Method Investees

              

North America (2)

     20.0        —          8.3        —          21.4  

Africa

     30.9        —          27.6        —          35.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity Method Investees

     51.0        —          35.9        —          56.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated and Equity Method Investees (1)

     4,391.5        4.8        4,926.4        5.7        5,218.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net proved undeveloped reserves (*):

              

Consolidated Entities

              

Brazil

     3,829.2        —          2,983.5        —          4,326.4  

South America, outside Brazil

     0.5        —          130.6        —          22.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated Entities

     3,829.7        —          3,114.1        —          4,348.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity Method Investees

              

North America (2)

     6.5        —          2.5        —          6.9  

Africa

     28.9        —          19.7        —          32.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity Method Investees

     35.4        —          22.2        —          39.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated and Equity Method Investees (1)

     3,865.1        —          3,136.3        —          4,387.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total proved reserves (developed and undeveloped)

     8,256.6        4.8        8,062.7        5.7        9,606.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

It includes amounts related to assets held for sale (30.9 million barrels of oil and 27.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas in net proved developed reserves and 28.9 million barrels of oil and 19.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas in net proved undeveloped reserves) in Africa (PO&G).

(2)

North America oil reserves includes 4.2% of natural gas liquid (NGL) in proved developed reserves and 3.6% of NGL in proved undeveloped reserves.

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

     2019  
     Crude Oil      Synthetic Oil      Natural Gas      Synthetic Gas      Total oil and gas  
     (mmbbl)      (bncf)      (mmboe)  

Net proved developed reserves (*):

              

Consolidated Entities

              

Brazil

     4,999.1        7.7        5,715.6        12.1        5,961.4  

South America, outside Brazil (2)

     0.9        —          66.9        —          12.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated Entities

     5,000.0        7.7        5,782.5        12.1        5,973.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity Method Investees

              

North America (2)

     18.2        —          7.0        —          19.4  

Africa

     37.1        —          44.7        —          44.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity Method Investees

     55.3        —          51.7        —          64.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated and Equity Method Investees (1)

     5,055.3        7.7        5,834.3        12.1        6,037.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net proved undeveloped reserves (*):

              

Consolidated Entities

              

Brazil

     3,083.7        —          2,665.0        —          3,527.9  

South America, outside Brazil (2)

     0.5        —          89.3        —          15.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated Entities

     3,084.2        —          2,754.3        —          3,543.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity Method Investees

              

North America (2)

     4.4        —          2.2        —          4.8  

Africa

     4.5        —          2.4        —          4.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity Method Investees

     8.9        —          4.6        —          9.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Consolidated and Equity Method Investees (1)

     3,093.1        —          2,759.0        —          3,552.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total proved reserves (developed and undeveloped)

     8,148.4        7.7        8,593.2        12.1        9,590.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

It includes amounts related to assets held for sale (37.1 million barrels of oil and 44.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas in net proved developed reserves and 4.5 million barrels of oil and 2.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas in net proved undeveloped reserves) in Africa (PO&G).

(2)

South America oil reserves includes 20.3% of natural gas liquid (NGL) in proved developed reserves and 59.2% of NGL in proved undeveloped reserves. North America oil reserves includes 3.8 % of natural gas liquid (NGL) in proved developed reserves and 5.3% of NGL in proved undeveloped reserves.

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

(v) Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas quantities and changes therein

The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, related to the above proved oil and gas reserves, is calculated in accordance with the requirements of Codification Topic 932 – Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas.

Estimated future cash inflows from production in Brazil are computed by applying the average price during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions. Future price changes are limited to those provided by contractual arrangements existing at the end of each reporting year. Future development and production costs are those estimated future expenditures necessary to develop and produce year-end estimated proved reserves based on current costs, assuming continuing economic conditions. Estimated future income taxes (including future social contributions on net income—CSLL) are calculated by applying appropriate year-end statutory tax rates. The amounts presented as future income taxes expenses reflect allowable deductions considering statutory tax rates. Discounted future net cash flows are calculated using 10% mid-period discount factors. This discounting requires a year-by-year estimate of when the future expenditures will be incurred and when the reserves will be produced.

The valuation prescribed under Codification Topic 932 – Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas requires assumptions as to the timing and amount of future development and production costs. The calculations are made as of December 31 each year and should not be relied upon as an indication of Petrobras’ future cash flows or the value of its oil and gas reserves.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows:

 

     Consolidated entities    

 

 
           Abroad           Equity
Method
Investees (3)
 
     Brazil (2)     South
America
    North
America
    Total     Total  

December 31, 2019

            

Future cash inflows

     535,788       609       —         609       536,397       4,045  

Future production costs

     (272,381     (285     —         (285     (272,666     (1,349

Future development costs

     (34,346     (141     —         (141     (34,487     (515

Future income tax expenses

     (86,012     (31     —         (31     (86,044     (438
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undiscounted future net cash flows

     143,049       152       —         152       143,200       1,743  

10 percent midyear annual discount for timing of estimated cash flows (1)

     (54,928     (83     —         (83     (55,010     (332
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

     88,121       69       —         69       88,190       1,412  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

            

Future cash inflows

     601,754       1,112       —         1,112       602,866       5,998  

Future production costs

     (269,942     (425     —         (425     (270,367     (1,570

Future development costs

     (34,119     (218     —         (218     (34,337     (520

Future income tax expenses

     (111,522     (91     —         (91     (111,613     (1,006
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undiscounted future net cash flows

     186,171       379       —         379       186,549       2,903  

10 percent midyear annual discount for timing of estimated cash flows (1)

     (75,050     (194     —         (194     (75,244     (613
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

     111,121       185       —         185       111,305       2,290  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2017

            

Future cash inflows

     439,058       912       5,361       6,274       445,332       3,487  

Future production costs

     (213,037     (412     (2,291     (2,703     (215,740     (857

Future development costs

     (46,731     (147     (649     (796     (47,527     (524

Future income tax expenses

     (63,087     (89     (86     (175     (63,262     (339
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undiscounted future net cash flows

     116,204       265       2,335       2,600       118,803       1,768  

10 percent midyear annual discount for timing of estimated cash flows (1)

     (52,516     (138     (707     (845     (53,361     (474
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

     63,687       126       1,628       1,755       65,442       1,294  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Semiannual capitalization

(2)

Includes the amount of US$ 1,770 million related to assets classified as held for sale in 2017.

(3)

Includes the amount of US$ 1,675 million related to PO&G assets classified as held for sale in 2018. Includes the amount of US$ 1,047 million related to PO&G assets classified as held for sale in 2019.

 

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

Changes in discounted net future cash flows:             
     Consolidated entities        
           Abroad           Equity
Method
Investees (2)
 
     Brazil (1)     South
America
    North
America
    Total     Total  

Balance at January 1, 2019

     111,121       185       —         185       111,305       2,290  

Sales and transfers of oil and gas, net of production cost

     (34,522     (65     —         (65     (34,587     (792

Development cost incurred

     6,819       6       —         6       6,825       150  

Net change due to purchases and sales of minerals in place

     (1,387     —         —         —         (1,387     —    

Net change due to extensions, discoveries and improved recovery related costs

     385       —         —         —         385       —    

Revisions of previous quantity estimates

     18,317       (44     —         (44     18,273       8  

Net change in prices, transfer prices and in production costs

     (34,114     (145     —         (145     (34,259     (505

Changes in estimated future development costs

     (5,324     60       —         60       (5,265     (97

Accretion of discount

     11,112       25       —         25       11,137       244  

Net change in income taxes

     15,714       41       —         41       15,755       363  

Other - unspecified

     —         7       —         7       7       (249
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

     88,121       69       —         69       88,190       1,412  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2018

     63,687       126       1,628       1,755       65,442       1,294  

Transfers by loss of control (3)

     —         —         (1,428     (1,428     (1,428     1,428  

Sales and transfers of oil and gas, net of production cost

     (31,429     (76     (844     (921     (32,350     (369

Development cost incurred

     9,685       32       229       261       9,946       252  

Net change due to purchases and sales of minerals in place

     (4,773     —         —         —         (4,773     (1,770

Net change due to extensions, discoveries and improved recovery related costs

     11,284       123       —         123       11,407       —    

Revisions of previous quantity estimates

     10,688       —         —         —         10,688       50  

Net change in prices, transfer prices and in production costs

     72,662       44       383       427       73,089       1,740  

Changes in estimated future development costs

     1,857       (76     (118     (194     1,664       (93

Accretion of discount

     6,369       19       150       169       6,537       129  

Net change in income taxes

     (28,910     (4     —         (4     (28,914     (489

Other - unspecified

     —         (4     —         (4     (4     119  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

     111,121       185       —         185       111,305       2,290  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2017

     34,424       98       830       927       35,351       583  

Sales and transfers of oil and gas, net of production cost

     (23,394     (60     (564     (624     (24,018     (261

Development cost incurred

     11,553       23       230       253       11,806       294  

Net change due to purchases and sales of minerals in place

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Net change due to extensions, discoveries and improved recovery related costs

     4,187       69       —         69       4,256       —    

Revisions of previous quantity estimates

     8,264       37       443       480       8,744       51  

Net change in prices, transfer prices and in production costs

     50,326       3       735       738       51,064       494  

Changes in estimated future development costs

     (15,878     (31     (144     (175     (16,053     (25

Accretion of discount

     3,442       14       76       90       3,532       58  

Net change in income taxes

     (9,237     (18     (2     (20     (9,257     (92

Other - unspecified

     —         (9     25       16       16       190  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

     63,687       126       1,628       1,755       65,442       1,294  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

In 2017, total proved reserves includes 263.7 million barrels related to assets held for sale.

(2)

Amounts transferred from consolidated entities to equity method investees, as the Company concluded the operation that has resulted in the formation of a joint venture company (“JV”), of which Murphy Exploration & Production Company (“Murphy” ) has 80% stake and Petrobras America Inc (“PAI”) 20% stake.

 

(*)

Apparent differences in the sum of the numbers are due to rounding off.

 

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Table of Contents

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras

Supplementary information – General public concerned under Law 13.303/16 (unaudited)

(Expressed in millions of US Dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

Additional information of general public concern – Law 13.303/16 (unaudited)

In order to comply with rules of disclosure about the activities that, in accordance with the requirements of article 3 of Petrobras’ Bylaws, are related to the achievement of public interest purposes under conditions different from those of any other private sector company operating in the same market, we summarize below the commitments in effect in the year 2018.

I – Priority Thermoelectric Program – (Programa Prioritário de Termeletricidade- PPT)

On February 24, 2000, the Brazilian federal government enacted the Decree No. 3.371 governing the implementation of thermoelectric power plants in Brazil through the Priority Thermoelectric Program (PPT). The thermoelectric power plants in the scope of this program were entitled to supply natural gas for up to 20 years with a pre-established price indexed to the U.S. inflation. The gas supply for the plants included in this program, in 2019, generated revenues of approximately US$ 306 and costs of US$ 581. As of December 31, 2019, the company had two plants in the scope of this program plus one plant, which supply of natural gas occurs by virtue of a court order.

II– National Program for Rationalization of the Use of Oil and Gas Products – (Programa Nacional de Racionalização do Uso dos Derivados do Petróleo e do Gás Natural – CONPET)

On February 18, 1991, the Brazilian federal government established the National Program for Rationalization of the Use of Oil and Gas Products (CONPET), which was intended to develop an anti-waste culture in the use of non-renewable natural resources. The Company is also a member of the Brazilian Labeling Program (Programa Brasileiro de Etiquetagem- PBE) in partnership with the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), which goal is to stimulate the production and use of gas appliances and vehicles with lower carbon emission, in addition of taking part in other agreements for the elaboration of partnerships with entities for the purpose of monitoring and guidance on vehicular emissions. In 2019, the costs associated with CONPET were immaterial.

 

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Exhibit 1.1

BYLAWS OF PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. – PETROBRAS

Chapter I – Nature, Headquarters and Purpose of the Company

Art. 1º – Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras, hereinafter referred to as “Petrobras” or “Company”, is a mixed capital company, under control of the Federal Government, for an indefinite term, which shall be governed by the rules of private law—in general—and specifically, by the Corporation Law (Law 6,404 of December 15, 1976), by Law Nº 13.303, of June 30, 2016, by Decree Nº 8.945, of December 27, 2016, and by this Bylaws.

§1 – Federal Government control shall be exercised through the ownership and possession of at least 50% (fifty per cent) plus 1 (one) share, of the voting capital of the Company.

§2 – Upon the adherence of Petrobras to B3’s Level 2 Corporate Governance special listing segment, the Company, its shareholders, officers and Board of Auditors members became subject to the provisions of Corporate Governance Level 2 Listing Regulation of Brasil Bolsa Balcão –B3 (Level 2 Regulation).

§3 – The provisions of Level 2 Regulation shall prevail over the statutory provisions in such event of loss of rights affecting the beneficiaries of such public offerings included in this Bylaws, except for the provisions of articles 30, §§4 and 5, 40, §§3 and 4, and 58, sole paragraph of this Bylaws.

Art. 2 – Petrobras is based in and subject to the jurisdiction of the city of Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, whereas it may establish subsidiaries, agencies, branches and offices both in Brazil and abroad.

Art. 3 – The purpose of the Company is the research, extraction, refining, processing, trading, and transport of oil from wells, shale or other rocks, its products, natural gas, and other hydrocarbon fluids, in addition to energy-related activities, whereas it may promote the research, development, production, transport, distribution, and trading of all forms of energy and any other related activities or the like.

§ 1 – The economic activities linked to its business purpose shall be developed by the Company as free competition with other companies according to market conditions, in compliance with the other principles and guidelines of Law no. 9,478, of August 6, 1997 and Law no. 10,438, of April 26, 2002.

§ 2 – Petrobras, either directly or through its whole-owned subsidiaries and controlled companies, whether or not associated to a third party, may exercise any of the activities under its business purpose in the Country or outside the national territory.

§3 – Petrobras may have its activities, provided in compliance with its corporate purpose, guided by the Federal Government to contribute to the public interest that justified its creation, aiming at meeting the objective of the national energy policy as set forth in article 1, section V, of Law Nº 9,478 of August 6, 1997.

§4 – In exercising the attribution referred to in paragraph 3 above, the Federal Government may only guide the Company to assume obligations or responsibilities, including the implementation of investment projects and the assumption of specific operating costs/results, such as those relating to the sale of fuels, as well as any other related activities, under conditions different from those of any other private sector company operating in the same market, when:

I – stipulated by a law or regulation, as well as provided for under a contract, covenant, or adjustment agreed upon with a public entity that is competent to establish such obligation, abiding by the broad publicity of such instruments; and

II – the cost and revenues thereof have been broken down and disseminated in a transparent manner, including in the accounting plan.

§5 – In the event of paragraphs 3 and 4 above, the Investment and the Minority Committees, in their advisory duties to the Board of Directors, will assess and measure, based on the technical-economic evaluation criteria for investment projects, and for specific operating costs/income used by the Company’s management, if the obligations and liabilities to be undertaken, are different from those of any other privately-held company operating in the same market.

 


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§6 – When directed by the Federal Government to contribute to the public interest, the Company shall only assume such obligations or responsibilities:

I – that abide by such market conditions stipulated in §5 above; or

II – that comply with the provisions of sections I and II of paragraph 4 above, abiding by such criteria set forth in §5 above, and in this case, the Federal Government shall previously compensate the Company for the difference between such market conditions defined in §5 above and the operating result or economic return of the assumed obligation.

§7 The exercise of such attribution referred to in paragraph 3 above shall be the subject of the annual chart subscribed by the members of the Board of Directors, as referred to in article 13, section I, of Decree nº 8.945, of December 27, 2016.

Chapter II – Capital, Shares and Shareholders

Art. 4 – Share Capital is R$ 205,431,960,490.52 (two hundred five billion, four hundred thirty-one million, nine hundred sixty thousand, four hundred ninety reais and fifty-two cents), divided into 13,044,496,930 (thirteen billion, forty-four million, four hundred ninety-six thousand, nine hundred thirty) shares without nominal value, 7,442,454,142 (seven billion, four hundred forty-two million, four hundred fifty-four thousand, one hundred forty-two) of which are common shares and 5,602,042,788 (five billion, six hundred two million, forty-two thousand, seven hundred eighty-eight) of which are preferred shares.

§1 – Capital increases through the issuance of shares shall be submitted in advance to the decision of the General Meeting.

§2 – The Company, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may acquire its own shares to be held as treasury stock, for cancellation or subsequent sale, up to the amount of the balance of profit and reserves available, except for the legal balance, without reduction of capital stock, pursuant to the legislation in force.

§3 – Capital stock may be increased with the issuance of preferred shares, without maintaining the ratio to common shares, in compliance with the legal limit of two-thirds of the capital stock and the preemptive right of all shareholders.

§4 – The controlling shareholder shall implement such measures designed to keep outstanding a minimum of 25% (twenty five percent) of the shares issued by the Company.

Art. 5 – Company shares shall be common shares, with the right to vote, and preferred shares, the latter always without the right to vote.

§1 – Preferred shares shall be non-convertible into common shares and vice versa.

§2 – Preferred shares shall have priority in the event of repayment of capital and the receipt of dividends, of at least 5% (five per cent) as calculated on the part of the capital represented by this kind of shares, or 3% (three percent) of the net equity value of the share, whichever the greater, participating on equal terms with common shares in capital increases arising from the capitalization of reserves and profits.

§3 – Preferred shares shall non-cumulatively participate in equal conditions with common shares in the distribution of dividends, when in excess to the minimum percentage they are afforded under the preceding paragraph.

§4 – Preferred shares shall be entitled to be included in a public offering for the sale of equity shares as a result of the sale of Company control at the same price and under the same conditions offered to the selling controlling shareholder.

Art. 6 – The payment of shares shall conform to the standards established by the General Assembly. In the event of late payment of the shareholder, and irrespective of challenges, the Company may promote the execution or determine the sale of shares, on account and risk of said shareholder.

Art. 7 – All Company shares shall be book-entry shares and shall be maintained in the name of their holders, in a deposit account at a financial institution authorized by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil—CVM, without issue of certificate.

Art. 8 – Shareholders shall be entitled at each financial year to dividends and/or interest on own capital, which may not be lower than 25% (twenty-five per cent) of adjusted net income, pursuant to the Brazilian Corporate Act, prorated by the shares to which the capital of the Company is to be divided.

 


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Art. 9 – Unless the General Meeting decides otherwise, the Company shall make the payment of dividends and interest on own capital due to the shareholders within 60 (sixty) days from the date on which they are declared, and in any event within the corresponding accounting period, observing the relevant legal standards.

Sole paragraph. The Company may, by resolution of its Board of Directors, advance values to its shareholders as dividends or interest on own capital, whereas such advances shall be adjusted at the SELIC rate from the date of actual payment to the end of the respective fiscal period, pursuant to art. 204 of the Corporate Law.

Art. 10 – Dividends not claimed by shareholders within 3 (three) years from the date on which they have been made available to shareholders shall expire in favor of the Company.

Art. 11 – The values of dividends and interest as payment on own capital due to the National Treasury and other shareholders shall be subject to financial charges equivalent to the SELIC rate from the end of the fiscal period until the actual day of payment, notwithstanding the applicability of default interest when such payment does not occur on the date fixed by the General Assembly.

Art. 12 – In addition to the Federal Government, as controlling shareholder of the Company, shareholders may be individuals or legal entities, both Brazilian or foreign, whether or not resident in the country.

Art. 13 – Shareholders may be represented at General Meetings in the manner provided for in art. 126 of the Corporate Law, showing, in the act, or depositing, in advance, the receipt issued by the depositary financial institution, along with the document of identification or power of attorney with special powers.

§1 – The representation of the Federal Government at General Meetings of the Company shall occur in accordance with the specific federal legislation.

§2 – At the General Shareholders Meeting which decides on the election of Board of Directors members, the right to vote of preferred shareholders is subject to the satisfaction of the condition defined in §6 of the art. 141 of the Corporate Law, of proven uninterrupted ownership of equity during the period of 3 (three) months, at least, immediately prior to the staging of the Meeting.

Chapter III – Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, Controlled Companies, and Affiliates

Art. 14 – For the strict fulfillment of activities linked to its purpose, Petrobras may, pursuant to the authorization conferred by Law no. 9,478, of August 6, 1997, constitute, and, pursuant to the legislation in force, extinguish wholly-owned subsidiaries, companies whose business purpose is to participate in other companies, pursuant to art. 8, § 2 of Decree no. 8,945, of December 27, 2016, as well as join other companies, either as majority or minority shareholder.

Art. 15 – In observance of the provisions of Law no. 9,478, of August 6, 1997, Petrobras and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, controlled companies, and affiliates may acquire shares or quotas in other companies, participate in special-purpose companies, as well as join Brazilian and foreign companies, and form with them consortia, whether or not as the leading company, aiming to expand activities, gather technologies and expand investment applied to activities linked to its purpose.

Art. 16 – The governance rules of Petrobras, as well as common corporate rules established by Petrobras, through technical, administrative, accounting, financial and legal guidance, apply entirely to its wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries and, as far as possible, to the affiliates, taking into account the resolutions of the management bodies of each company, and the strategic planning approved by the Petrobras’ Board of Directors.

Sole paragraph. Any appointments to an officer position or Board of Auditors member that are incumbent on the Company in its subsidiaries, controlled and affiliated companies, even if such appointment results of a nomination by the Federal Government under the current legislation, shall fully comply with such requirements and prohibitions imposed by the Corporation Law, as well as those provided for in arts.21, §§1, 2 and 3 and 43 and paragraphs thereof of these Bylaws, Law 13.303 of June 30, 2016, and Decree Nº 8.945 of December 27, 2016.

 


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Chapter IV – Company Administration

Section I – Board Members and Executive Officers

Art. 17 – Petrobras shall be run by a Board of Directors, with deliberative functions, and an Executive Board.

Art.18 – The Board of Directors shall be composed of at least 7 (seven) and at most 11 (eleven) members, whereas the General Shareholders Meeting shall appoint among them the Chair of the Board, all of whom with a unified term of office that may not be greater than 2 (two) years, whereas reelection is permitted.

§1 – Once the unified management term of its members is respected, the composition of the Board of Directors shall be alternated in order to allow constant renewal of the body, without compromising history and experience regarding the Company’s business, subject to the following rules:

I – The Company’s president, as well as members elected by the minority shareholders, the preferred shareholders and the employees shall not participate in the rotation;

II – 20% (twenty percent) of the remaining board members shall be renewed every 4 (four) years. If this results in a fractional number of members, it will be rounded to the next higher integer.

§2 – In the case of vacancy in the post of CEO of the Board, the substitute shall be elected at the first ordinary meeting of the Board of Directors until the next General Assembly.

§3 – The member of the Board of Directors appointed pursuant to the caput of this article may be reelected up to three (3) consecutive times.

§4 – In the case of a member of the Board of Directors elected by the employees, the limit for reelection shall comply with current laws and regulations.

§5 – The Board of Directors shall be formed by at least 40% (forty percent) independent members, considered therein the member elected by employees, whereas the independence criteria shall comply pursuant to article 22, §1, of Law 13.303 of June 30, 2016 of article. 36, §1 of Decree Nº 8.945, of December 27, 2016 and of Level 2’s Regulation, abiding by the more stringent criterion in case of divergence between the rules.

§6 – The Board of Directors shall be composed of external members only, without any current statutory or employment ties with the Company, except for the member designated as the Company’s Chief Executive and the member elected by the employees.

§7 – The members of the Board of Directors to be nominated by the Federal government to meet the minimum number of independents set forth in §5 of this article will be selected in a triple list drawn up by a specialized company with proven experience, not being allowed to interfere in the indication of this list, which will be the sole responsibility of the specialized company.

§8 – Such functions as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive shall not be held by the same individual.

§9– The qualification as Independent Board Member shall be expressly declared in the minutes of the general meeting that elects them.

§10 – When, as a result of compliance with the percentage referred to in subsection §5 of this article, fractional number of members results, rounding to the next higher integer.

§11 – The reelection of the Board of Directors member who does not participate in any annual training provided by the Company in the last 2 (two) years is prohibited.

§12 – Once the upper period of reelection is reached, the return of the Board of Directors member to the Company may only occur after the expiry of a period equivalent to 1 (one) term of office.

Art. 19 – In the process of electing members of the Board of Directors by the General Shareholders Meeting, the following rules shall be followed:

I – Minority shareholders are entitled to elect 1 (one) Board member, if a greater number does not correspond to them through the multiple vote process;

 


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II – Holders of preferred shares jointly representing at least ten percent (10%) of the share capital, except the controlling shareholder, are ensured the right to elect and remove one (1) member of the Board of Directors by a separate vote in the General Shareholders’ Meeting;

III – Whenever, cumulatively, the election of the Board of Directors occurs by multiple voting system, and common or preferred shareholders exercise the right to elect Board members, the Federal Government shall be ensured the right to elect Board members in equal number to those elected by the remaining shareholders and by employees, plus 1 (one), irrespective of the number of Board members set out in art. 18 of this Statute;

IV – Employees shall be entitled to nominate one (1) member of the Board of Directors in a separate vote, by direct vote of their peers, according to paragraph 1 of art. 2 of Law Nº 12.353 of December.

V – Subject to the provisions of applicable law, the Ministry of Economy is guaranteed the right to nominate one member of the Board of Directors.

Art. 20 – The Executive Board shall include one (1) Chief Executive, chosen by the Board of Directors from among its members, and up to eight (8) Executive Officers, elected by the Board of Directors, among natural persons residing in the Country, with a unified term of office that cannot exceed two (2) years, with a maximum of three (3) consecutive reelections allowed, and they can be dismissed at any time.

§1 – The Board of Directors shall observe, in the selection and election of Executive Board members, their professional capacity, notorious knowledge and expertise in their respective areas of contact in which such officers shall act, in compliance to the Basic Plan of Organization.

§2 – Executive Board members shall exercise their posts in a regime of full time and exclusive dedication to the service of Petrobras, nevertheless, it is permitted, after justification and approval by the Board of Directors, the concomitant exercise of officer posts at wholly-owned subsidiaries, controlled companies or affiliates of the Company and, exceptionally, at the Board of Directors of other companies.

§3 – Executive Board members, in addition to the requirements of Board of Directors members, pursuant to art. 21 below, shall meet the requirement of 10 (ten) years of experience in leadership, preferably, in the business or in a related area, as specified in the Nomination Policy of the Company.

§4 – The reelection of the Executive Board member who does not participate in any annual training provided by the Company in the last 2 (two) years is prohibited.

§5 – Once the upper period of reelection is reached, the return of the Executive Officer to the Petrobras may only occur after the expiry of a period equivalent to 1 (one) term of office.

Art. 21 – The investiture in any administration position in the Company shall abide by such conditions set forth by article 147 and complemented by those provided for in article 162 of the Corporate Law, as well as those set forth in the Nomination Policy, Law 13.303 of June 30, 2016 and Decree Nº 8.945 of December 27, 2016.

§1 – For purposes of compliance with legal requirements and prohibitions, the Company shall furthermore consider the following conditions for the characterization of irreproachable reputation of the nominee to the post of administration, which shall be detailed in the Nomination Policy:

I – not be the defendant in legal or administrative proceedings with an unfavorable ruling to the nominee by appellate courts, observing the activity to be performed;

II – not have commercial or financial pending issues which have been the object of protest or inclusion in official registers of defaulters, whereas clarification to the Company on such facts is possible;

III – demonstrate the diligence adopted in the resolution of notes indicated in reports of internal or external control bodies in processes and/or activities under their management, when applicable;

IV – not have serious fault related to breach of the Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, Manual of the Petrobras Program for Corruption Prevention or other internal rules, when applicable;

 


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V – not have been included in the system of disciplinary consequence in the context of any subsidiary, controlled or affiliated company of Petrobras, nor have been subject to labor or administrative penalty in another legal entity of public or private law in the last 3 (three) years as a result of internal investigation, when applicable.

§2 – The appointment to administration position is forbidden for:

I – representative of the regulatory body to which the Company is subject;

II – Minister of State, State Secretary and Municipal Secretary;

III – holder of a commission position in the federal public administration, direct or indirect, without permanent contract with the public service;

IV – statutory leader of a political party and holder of a mandate in the Legislative Power of any federative entity, even if licensed;

V – a person who has acted for the last 36 (thirty-six) months as a participant in the political party’s decision-making structure;

VI – a person who worked in the last 36 (thirty-six) months in working in the organization, structuring and conducting of an electoral campaign;

VII – a person who holds office in union organization;

VIII – an individual who has entered into a contract or partnership, as a supplier or buyer, plaintiff or offeror, of goods or services of any kind, with the Federal Government, with the Company itself or with its subsidiaries based in Brazil, in the three (3) years prior to the date of his appointment;

IX – a person who has or may have any form of conflict of interest with the Federal Government or with the Company itself;

X – consanguineous or related relatives up to the third degree of the persons mentioned in items I to IX; and

XI – a person who fits any of the ineligibility hypotheses provided for in the subitems of item I of the caput of art. 1 of Complementary Law No. 64 of May 18, 1990.

§3 – The nominee shall not accumulate more than 2 (two) paid positions on boards of directors or audit committees in the Company or any subsidiary, controlled or affiliated company of Petrobras.

§4 – The legal and integrity requirements must be reviewed by the People Committee within eight (8) business days as of the date the information is submitted by the candidate or by whom he/she is appointed, and may be extended by eight (8) business days upon request of the Committee. If there is an objectively proven reason, the review period may be suspended by a formal decision of the Committee.

§5 – The investiture in officer posts of persons with ascendants, descendants or collateral relatives in positions on the Board of Directors, the Executive Board or the Audit Committee of the Company shall be prohibited.

§6 – The investiture of employees’ representatives on the Board of Directors shall be subject to such requirements and impediments set forth in the Brazilian Corporate Law, Law Nº 13.303, dated June 30, 2016, in Decree Nº 8.945, dated December 27, 2016, in the Nomination Policy and in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article.

§7 – The People Committee may request the person appointed to the position to attend an interview to clarify the requirements of this article, and acceptance of the invitation will be subject to the appointed person’s will.

Art. 22 – The members of the Board of Directors and Executive Board shall be invested in their positions upon signing the statements of inauguration in the book of minutes of the Board of Directors and the Executive Board, respectively.

§1 – The term of investiture shall include, under penalty of nullity: (i) the indication of at least 1 (one) domicile in which the administrator will receive summons and subpoenas in administrative and judicial proceedings related to such acts during his/her term in office, which shall be considered fulfilled by delivery at such indicated address, which can only be changed by means of written communication to the Company; (ii) adherence to the Instrument of Agreement of the Administrators pursuant to the provisions of Level 2’s Regulation, as well as compliance with applicable legal requirements, and (iii) consent to the terms of the arbitration clause dealt with in article 58 of these Bylaws and other terms established by law and by the Company.

 


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§2 – the inauguration of a board member resident or domiciled abroad shall be subject to the engagement of a representative resident in the country, with powers to receive summons in lawsuits against said member that are filed based on corporate law, upon a power of attorney with a period of validity to extend for at least 3 (three) years after the expiration of the term of office of said member.

§3 – Prior to inauguration, the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Board shall submit a statement of assets, which will be filed with the Company, must be updated annually and upon leaving office, or may authorize access to the asset and income data of their Annual Individual Income Tax Return and respective rectifications, for his/her term of office.

Art. 23 – The members of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Board shall be accountable, pursuant to article 158, of the Corporate Law severally and jointly, for such acts they perform and for such losses resulting therefrom for the Company, and they shall not be allowed to participate in such decisions on operations involving other companies in which they hold any interest, or have held administration positions in a period immediately prior to the investiture in the Company.

§1 – The prohibition to participate in deliberations shall not apply:

I – in the case of direct and indirect shareholdings, not relevant, under the terms of the regulation of the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission, in publicly-held corporations that do not have the potential to generate a conflict of interest with Petrobras, or;

II – in the case of managers who act in the management of other companies by indication of the Company.

§2 – The Company shall ensure the defense in legal and administrative proceedings to its administrators, both present and past, in addition to maintain permanent insurance contract in favor of such administrators, to protect them of liabilities for acts arising from the exercise of the office or function, covering the entire period of exercise of their respective terms of office.

§3 – The guarantee referred to in the previous paragraph extends to the members of the Audit Committee, as well as to all employees and agents who legally act by delegation of administrators of the Company.

§4 – The Company may also enter into indemnity agreements with the members of the Board of Directors, Fiscal Council, Executive Board, committees and all other employees and representatives legally acting by delegation of the Company’s managers, in order to cope to certain expenses related to arbitration, judicial or administrative proceedings involving acts committed in the exercise of their duties or powers, from the date of their possession or the beginning of the contractual relationship with the Company.

§5 – Indemnity contracts shall not cover:

I – acts practiced outside the exercise of the attributions or powers of its signatories;

II – acts with bad faith, deceit, serious guilt or fraud;

III – acts committed in their own interest or of third parties, to the detriment of the company’s corporate interest;

IV – indemnities arising from social action provided for in Article 159 of Law 6404/76 or compensation for damages referred to in art. 11, paragraph 5, II of Law 6,385, of December 7, 1976; or

V – other cases provided for in the indemnity agreement

§6 – The indemnity agreement shall be properly disclosed and provide, inter alia:

I – the limit value of the coverage offered;

II – the term of coverage; and

III – the decision-making procedure regarding the payment of the coverage, which shall guarantee the independence of the decisions and ensure that they are taken in the interest of the Company.

§7 – The beneficiary of the indemnity agreement shall be obliged to return to the Company the amounts advanced in cases in which, after an irreversible final decision, it is proved that the act performed by the beneficiary is not subject to indemnification, under the terms of the indemnity agreement.

Art. 24 – The member who fails to participate in 3 (three) consecutive ordinary meetings, without good reason or leave granted by the Board of Directors, shall lose office.

 


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Art. 25 – In case of vacancy of the position of Board Member, the substitute shall be elected by the remaining Members and shall serve until the first General Meeting, as provided for in article 150 of the Corporate Law.

§1 – The member of the Board of Directors or Executive Board who is elected in replacement, shall complete the term of office of the replaced member and, at the end of the term of office, shall remain in office until the investiture of the successor.

§2 – If the board member who represents the employees does not complete the term of office, the following shall be observed:

I – the second most voted candidate shall take office, if more than half the term of office has not elapsed;

II – new elections shall be called, if more than half the term of office has elapsed.

§3 – In the event referred to in § 2 above, the substitute member shall complete the term of office of the replaced member.

§4 – In the event of vacancy in the positions of the directors elected by the minority shareholders holding common or preferred shares, the Board of Directors shall call a General Meeting to elect a substitute within 60 (sixty) days from the effective vacancy of the position.

Art. 26 – The Company shall be represented both in and out of courts, individually, by its CEO or by at least 2 (two) Executive Officers together, whereas it may appoint attorneys or representatives.

Art. 27 – The CEO and Executive Directors may not be absent from office, annually, for more than 30 (thirty) days, whether or not consecutive, without leave of absence or authorization of the Board of Directors.

§1 – The CEO and Executive Directors shall be entitled, annually, to 30 (thirty) days of paid license upon prior authorization of the Board of Executive Directors, whereas the payment in double of the remuneration for the license not enjoyed in the previous year shall be prohibited.

§2 – The CEO shall appoint, from among the Executive Officers, his possible substitute.

§3 – In case of vacancy of the position of CEO, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall appoint the substitute from among the other members of the Executive Board until the election of the new CEO in compliance with art 20 of these Bylaws.

§4 – In case of absence or impediment of an Executive Officer, such an officer’s duties shall be assumed by a substitute chosen by the said officer, among the other members of the Executive Board or one of their direct subordinates, the latter for up to a maximum period of 30 (thirty) days.

§5- In case the indication is made to a subordinate, subject to approval of the CEO, said substitute shall participate in all the routine activities of an Executive Officer, including the presence at meetings of Officers, to inform matter in the the contact area of the respective Executive Officer, without, however, exercising the right to vote.

Art. 28 – After the end of the term in office, the former members of the Executive Board, the Board of Directors and the Board of Auditors shall be impeded over a period of 6 (six) months counted from the end of their term in office, if a longer term is not set up in the regulations, from:

I – ccepting administrator or audit committee posts, exercising activities, or providing any service to competitors of the Company;

II – accepting a position as administrator or board of auditors’ member, or establishing any professional relationship with any individual or legal entity with whom they have had a direct and relevant official relationship over the 6 (six) months prior to the end of their term in office, if a longer term is not set up in the regulations; and

III – sponsoring, either directly or indirectly, any interest of any individual or legal entity, before any agency or entity of the Federal Public Administration with which they have had a direct and relevant official relationship over the 6 (six) months prior to the end of their term in office, if a longer term is not set up in the regulatory standards.

§1 – The period referred to in the caption of this article includes any periods of paid annual leave not enjoyed.

§2 – During the period of the impediment, the former members of the Executive Board, the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee shall be entitled to remuneration allowance equivalent only to the monthly fee of the post they occupied, subject to the provisions of paragraph 6 of this article.

 


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§3 – The former members of the Executive Board, the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee who choose to return before the end of the impediment period, to the performance of the actual of higher post or position, which, prior to their appointment, was occupied in public or private administration, shall not be entitled to remuneration allowance.

§4 – Failure to comply with such 6 (six) months impediment shall imply, in addition to the loss of compensatory remuneration, the refund of any amount already received in this title plus the payment of a 20% (twenty percent) fine on the total compensatory remuneration that would be due in the period, without detriment to the reimbursement of losses and damages that may be caused.

§5 – The former member of the Executive Board, of the Board of Directors and the Board of Auditors shall cease to be paid such compensatory remuneration, without detriment to other applicable sanctions and restitution of amounts already received, who:

I – incurs any of the assumptions that make up a conflict of interest as referred to in article 5 of Law Nº 12,813 of Thursday, May 16, 2013;

II – is judicially convicted, final and unappealable sentence, of crimes against the public administration;

III – is judicially convicted, final and unappealable sentence, of administrative impropriety; or

IV – undergoes retirement annulment, dismissal or conversion of exemption in dismissal of the position of trust.

§6 – The beginning of the payment of compensatory remuneration is conditioned to the characterization of the conflict of interest and the impediment to the exercise of professional activity and shall be preceded by formal manifestation on the characterization of conflict:

I – of the Ethics Committee of the Presidency of the Republic pursuant to art. 8 of Law 12,813, of May 16, 2013, for the members of the Board of Executive Boards, including for the CEO;

II – of the Ethics Committee of Petrobras, which will decide with the subsidy of the technical areas, when necessary for the examination of the matter, for the members of the Board of Directors and of the Fiscal Council.

Section II – Board of Directors

Art. 29 – The Board of Directors is the higher body of guidance and management of Petrobras, and is responsible for:

I – setting the general guidance of the business of the Company, defining its mission, strategic objectives and guidelines;

II – approving, on the proposal of the Executive Board, the strategic plan, the respective multi-annual plans, as well as annual plans and programs of expenditure and investment, promoting annual analysis regarding the fulfillment of goals and results in the execution of said plans, whereas it shall publish its conclusions and report them to the National Congress and the Federal Court of Accounts;

III – inspecting the administration by the Executive Board and its members, and set their duties, by examining, at any time, the books and records of the Company;

IV – evaluating, annually, the individual and collective performance results of officers and members of Board Committees, with the methodological and procedural support of the People Committee, in compliance with the following minimum requirements: a) exposure of the acts of management practiced regarding the lawfulness and effectiveness of managerial and administrative action; b) contribution to the result of the period; and c) achievement of the objectives set out in the business plan and satisfaction to the long-term strategy referred to in art. 37, § 1 of Decree no. 8,945, of December 27, 2016;

V – annually evaluate and disclose who are the independent directors, as well as indicate and justify any circumstances that may compromise their independence;

VI – approve the above value for which the acts, contracts or operations, although the powers of the Executive Board or its members, must be submitted to the approval of the Board of Directors;

VII – deliberating on the issue of simple, unsecured debentures non-convertible into shares;

VIII – setting the overall policies of the Company, including strategic commercial, financial, risk, investment, environment, information disclosure, dividend distribution, transactions with related parties, spokespersons, human resources, and minority shareholders management policies, in compliance with the provisions set forth in art. 9, § 1 of Decree no. 8,945, of December 27, 2016;

 


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IX – approving the transfer of ownership of Company assets, including concession contracts and permits for oil refining, natural gas processing, transport, import and export of crude oil, its derivates and natural gas, whereas it may set limits in terms of value for the practice of these acts by the Executive Board or its members;

X – approving the Electoral Rules for selecting the member of the Board of Directors elected by employees;

XI – approving the plans governing the admission, career, succession, benefits and disciplinary regime of Petrobras employees;

XII – approving the Nomination Policy that contains the minimum requirements for the nomination of members of the Board of Directors and its Committees, the Audit Committee and the Executive Board, to be widely available to shareholders and the market, within the limits of applicable legislation;

XIII – approving and disclosing the Annual Chart and Corporate Governance Chart, as provided for in Law 13.303, of June 30, 2016;

XIV – implementing, either directly or through other bodies of the Company, and overseeing the risk management and internal control systems established for the prevention and mitigation of major risks, including risks related to the integrity of financial and accounting information and those related to the occurrence of corruption and fraud;

XV- formally making statements in such public offering for the sale of equity shares issued by the Company;

XVI – setting a triple list of companies specializing in economic evaluation of companies for the preparation of the appraisal report of Company’s shares, in the cases of public offering for cancellation of registration as a publicly-held company or for quitting from Corporate Governance Level 2.

§1 – The fixing of human resources policy referred to in item VII may not count with the participation of the Board Member representing employees, if the discussions and deliberations on the agenda involve matters of trade union relations, remuneration, benefits and advantages, including matters of supplementary pensions and healthcare, cases in which conflict of interest is configured.

§2 – Whenever the Nomination Policy intends to impose additional requirements to those included in the applicable legislation to Board of Directors and Audit Committee members, such requirements shall be forwarded for decision of shareholders in a General Meeting.

§3 – Such formal statement, either favorable or contrary, dealt with in section XIV shall be made by means of a prior informed opinion, disclosed within 15 (fifteen) days of the publication of such public offer announcement, addressing at least: (i) the convenience and the opportunity of such public offering of shares regarding the interest of all shareholders and in relation to the liquidity of such securities held by them; (ii) the repercussions of such public offer of sale of equity shares on Petrobras interests; (iii) such strategic plans disclosed by the offeror in relation to Petrobras; (iv) such other points that the Board of Directors deems pertinent, as well as any information required by such applicable rules issued by CVM.

Art. 30 – The Board of Directors shall further decide on the following matters:

I – the duties of each member of the Executive Board which shall be in the Basic Organization Plan, to be disclosed by the Company on its website;

II – nomination and dismissal of the holders of the general structure of the Company directly linked to the Board of Directors, as defined on Basic Organization Plan, based on the criteria set forth by the Board of Directors itself;

III – authorization for the acquisition of shares issued by the Company to be held in treasury or for cancellation, as well as subsequent disposal of these actions, except in cases of competence of the General Meeting, pursuant to legal, regulatory and statutory provisions;

IV- exchange of securities it has issued;

V – election and dismissal of the members of the Executive Board;

VI – constitution of wholly-owned subsidiaries or affiliated companies, the transfer or termination of such participation, as well as the acquisition of shares or quotas other companies;

VII – convocation of the General Shareholders Meeting, in the cases provided for by law, by publishing the notice of convocation at least 15 (fifteen) days in advance;

VIII – Code of Ethics, Code of Best Practices and Internal Rules of the Board of Directors and Code of Conduct of the Petrobras System;

 


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IX – Policy and Corporate Governance Guidelines of Petrobras;

X – selection and dismissal of independent auditors, which may not provide consulting services to the Company during the term of the contract;

XI – administration and accounts report of the Executive Board;

XII – selection of Board Committee members from among its members and/or from among persons in the market of notorious experience and technical capacity in relation to the expertise of the respective Committee, and approval of the duties and rules of operation of the Committees;

XIII – matters that, by virtue of a legal provision or by determination of the General Meeting, depend on its deliberation;

XIV – integrity and compliance criteria, as well as the other pertinent criteria and requirements applicable to the election of the members of holders of the general structure appointment of the Executive Managers, who shall meet, as a minimum, those set forth in art. 21, paragraph 1, 2 and 3 of these Articles of Incorporation;

XV – the indemnity agreement to be signed by the Company and the procedures that guarantee the independence of the decisions, as defined in art. 23, paragraphs 3 to 6 of these Bylaws;

XVI – sale of the share capital control of wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company;

XVII – omissive cases of these Bylaws.

§1 – The Board of Directors will have 6 (six) Advisory Committees, with specific duties of analysis and recommendation on certain matters, directly linked to the Board: Investment Committee; Audit Committee; Audit Committee of the Petrobras Conglomerate of Companies; Committee on Health, Safety and Environmental Committee; People and Minority Committees.

I – The opinions of the Committees are not a necessary condition for submitting matters to the examination and deliberation of the Board of Directors, except for the hypothesis provided for in paragraph 4 of this article, when the opinion of the Minority Committee shall be mandatory;

II – Committee members may participate as guests of all meetings of the Board of Directors;

III – Committees members and operation rules shall be governed by regulations to be approved by the Board of Directors. Participation—whether as a member or as a permanent guest of these committees—of the Company’s Chief Executive, Executive Officers and employees, is prohibited, except, in the latter case, the Board Member elected by the employees and the senior managers of the organizational units directly linked to the Board of Directors.

IV – The Board Member elected by the Company’s employees cannot participate in the Audit Committee, in the Audit Committee of the Petrobras Conglomerate and People Committee.

§2 – The People Committee shall have the attributions provided for in articles 21 to 23 of Decree Nº 8.945, of December 27, 2016, as well as to analyze the integrity requirements set forth in art. 21 of these Bylaws for the investiture in the position of management and fiscal councilor of the Company.

§3 – Whenever there is a need to evaluate operations with the Government, its municipalities and foundations and federal state enterprises, provided it is outside the normal course of business of the Company, and that it is within the purview of the Board of Directors’ approval, the Minority Committee shall render prior advice, issuing its opinion on the intended transaction.

§4 – To allow the representation of the preferred shareholders, the Minority Committee will also carry out the previous advisory to the shareholders, issuing its opinion on the following transactions, in a meeting that must necessarily count on the participation of the board member elected by the preferred shareholders. that the opinion of the Committee shall be included in full, including the full content of the divergent statements, of the Assembly Manual that is convened to deliberate on:

I – transformation, incorporation, merger or spin-off of the Company;

II – approval of contracts between the Company and the controlling shareholder, directly or through third parties, as well as other companies in which the controlling shareholder has an interest, whenever, by legal or statutory provision, they are deliberated at a General Meeting;

III – valuation of assets intended to the payment of capital increase of the Company;

 


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IV – choice of specialized institution or company to determine the Company’s economic value, pursuant to Article 40, X of these Bylaws; and

V – alteration or revocation of statutory provisions that modify or alter any of the requirements set forth in item 4.1 of the Level 2 Regulation, while the Contract of Participation is in force in Level 2 of Corporate Governance.

§5 – If the final decision of the Board of Directors differs from the Minority Committee’s opinion indicated in the previous paragraph, the Board’s manifestation, including all the dissenting statements, should also be included in the Assembly Manual that is called to deliberate on the operations, to better instruct the shareholders’ vote.

§6 – The aforementioned Minority Committee will be formed by 2 (two) members of the Board of Directors pointed out by minority common shareholders and preferred shareholders, as well as 1 (one) third independent member, according to Regulation Article 18, §5 of these Bylaws, chosen by the other members of the Committee, which shall or not be a member of the Board of Directors.

Art. 31 – The Board of Directors may determine the performance of inspections, audits or statements of accounts in the Company, as well as the hiring of experts or external auditors, to better instruct the matters subject to its deliberation.

Art. 32 – The Board of Directors shall meet with the presence of the majority of its members, convened by its Chairman or a majority of the Members, ordinarily, at least every month, and extraordinarily whenever necessary.

§1 – It is hereby provided, if necessary, the participation of Members at the meeting by telephone, videoconferencing, or other means of communication that can ensure effective participation and the authenticity of their vote. In such a case, the Board Member shall be considered present at the meeting, and their vote shall be considered valid for all legal effects and incorporated in the minutes of said meeting.

§2 – The materials submitted to evaluation by the Board of Directors shall be appraised with the decision of the Executive Board, the manifestations of the technical area or competent Committee, and furthermore the legal opinion, when necessary for the examination of the matter.

§3 – The Chairman of the Board may, on their own initiative or at the request of any Board Member, summon members of the Executive Board of the Company to attend meetings and provide clarifications or information on matters under consideration.

§4 – The deliberations of the Board of Directors shall be taken by majority vote of the attending members and shall be recorded in the specific book of Minutes.

§5 – The operations provided for in §§ 3 and 4 of art. 30 of these Bylaws, shall be approved by the vote of 2/3 (two thirds) of the Directors present

§6 – In the event of a tie, the Chairman of the Board shall have the casting vote.

Section III – Executive Board

Art. 33 – The Executive Board and its members shall be responsible for exercising the management of the Company business, pursuant to the mission, objectives, strategies and guidelines set forth by the Board of Directors.

§1 – The Executive Director of Governance and Compliance is assured, in the exercise of its duties, the possibility of reporting directly to the Board of Directors in the hypotheses of art. 9, paragraph 4 of Law 13303, of June 30, 2016.

§2 – The Board of Directors may delegate powers to the Executive Board, except for those expressly provided for in corporate law and in compliance to the levels of authority established in such delegations.

Art. 34 – The Executive Board shall be responsible for:

I – Evaluating, approving and submitting to the approval of the Board of Directors:

a) the bases and guidelines for the preparation of the strategic plan, as well as the annual and multi-annual plans;

b) the strategic plan, the corresponding multi-annual plans, as well as annual plans and programs of expenditure and investment of the Company with the respective projects;

c) the budgets of expenditures and investment of the Company;

 


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d) the performance result of the Company’s activities.

e) the indication of the holders of the general structure of the Company, based on the criteria established by the Board of Directors.

f) the plans governing the admission, career, succession, benefits and disciplinary regime of Petrobras employees.

II – approving:

a) the technical and economical evaluation criteria for investment projects, with the corresponding plans for delegation of responsibility for their execution and implementation;

b) the criteria for the economic exploitation of production areas and minimum coefficient of oil and gas reserves, pursuant to the specific legislation;

c) the pricing policy and basic price structures of the Company’s products;

d) the charts of accounts, basic criteria for determination of results, amortization and depreciation of capital invested, and changes in accounting practices;

e) the corporate manuals and standards of governance, accounting, finance, personnel management, procurement and execution of works and services, supply and sale of materials and equipment, operation and other corporate rules necessary for the guidance of the operation of the Company;

f) the rules for the assignment of use, rental or lease of fixed assets owned by the Company;

g) changes in the Company’s organizational structure, according to the competencies established in Basic Organization Plan, as well as create, transform or extinguish Operating Units, agencies, branches, branches and offices in Brazil and abroad;

h) the creation and extinction of non-statutory Committees, linked to the Executive Board or its members, approving the corresponding rules of operation, duties and levels of authority for action;

i) the value above which the acts, contracts or operations, although of competence of the CEO or the Executive Officers, shall be submitted for approval of the Executive Board, in compliance with the level of authority defined by the Board of Directors;

j) the annual plan of insurance of the Company;

l) conventions or collective labor agreements, as well as the proposition of collective labor agreements;

m) the provision of real or fiduciary guarantees, observing the pertinent legal and contractual provisions.

III – ensuring the implementation of the Strategic Plan and the multi-annual plans and annual programs of expenditure and investment of the Company with the respective projects, in compliance with the budget limits approved;

IV – deliberating on trademarks and patents, names and insignia;

V – appointment and removal from office of the holders of the general structure of the Company directly linked to the Executive Board, as defined in the Basic Organization Plan, based on the criteria established by the Board of Directors.

Art. 35 – Having matters within its competence the Executive Board shall meet with most of its members, including the Chief Executive or his/her substitute, and, extraordinarily by convening the CEO or 2/3 (two-thirds) of the Executive Directors.

§1 – The Executive Board shall be advised by the Statutory Technical Committee on Investment and Disinvestment.

§2 – The members of the Executive Board will have up to eight (8) Statutory Technical Advisory Committees, comprised of senior managers of the Company’s general structure, with specific duties of analysis and recommendation on certain matters, as provided for in the respective Internal Rules, complying with the provisions of art. 160 of the Brazilian Corporation Law.

§3 – The advice of the Statutory Technical Committees is not binding on the Executive Board or its members, as the case may be, however, they shall be a necessary condition for the examination and deliberation of the matter within the scope of their respective powers.

§4 – The composition, rules of operation and duties of the Statutory Technical Committees shall be disciplined in Internal Rules to be approved by the Board of Directors.

 


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Art. 36 –It is incumbent, individually:

§1 – To the CEO:

I – convene, preside over and coordinate the work of Executive Board meetings;

II – propose to the Board of Directors, the nomination of Executive Officers;

III – provide information to the Board of Directors, the Minister of State to which the company is subordinate, and the control organs of the Federal Government, as well as the Federal Court of Accounts and the National Congress;

IV – ensure the mobilization of resources to cope with situations of severe risk to health, safety and the environment;

V – exercise other powers conferred by the Board of Directors.

§2 – The Executive Officer who is assigned to the investors’ relations role:

I – take responsibility for providing information to the investing audience, the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) and the national and international stock exchanges or over-the-counter markets, as well as to the corresponding regulatory and supervisory entities, and keep the Company’s records up to date with these institutions.

§3 – The Executive Officer to whom the compliance and governance area is assigned guide and promote the implementation of governance and compliance standards, guidelines and procedures.

§4 – To the CEO and each Executive Officer, among the contact areas described in the Basic Plan of Organization:

I – implement the strategic plan and budget approved by the Board of Directors, using the management system of the Company;

II – hire and dismiss employees and formalize the designations to managerial posts and functions;

III – designate employees for missions abroad;

IV – monitor, control and report to the Executive Board on technical and operational activities of wholly-owned subsidiaries and companies in which Petrobras participates or with which it is associated;

V – designate and instruct the Company’s representatives at General Meetings of wholly-owned subsidiaries, controlled and affiliated companies, pursuant to the guidelines set forth by the Board of Directors, as well as the applicable corporate guidelines;

VI – manage, supervise and evaluate the performance of the activities of the units under their direct responsibility, as defined in the Basic Plan of Organization, as well as practice acts of management correlated to such activities, whereas they may set value limits for the delegation of the practice of these acts, in compliance with the corporate rules adopted by the Executive Board;

VII – approve the rules and procedures for the performance of the activities of the units under their direct responsibility, as defined in the Basic Plan of Organization.

Art. 37 – The deliberations of the Executive Board shall be taken by majority vote of the attending members and shall recorded in the specific book of minutes.

Sole paragraph. In the event of a tie, the CEO shall have the casting vote.

Art. 38 – The Executive Board shall forward to the Board of Directors copies of the minutes of its meetings and provide the information needed to evaluate the performance of the Company’s activities.

Chapter V – General Meeting

Art. 39 – The Ordinary General Meeting shall be held annually within the period established in art. 132 of the Corporate Law, in a place, date and time previously set by the Board of Directors, to deliberate on matters within its competence, especially:

I – rendering of the administrators’ accounts, examine, discuss and vote the financial statements;

II – decide on the allocation of net profit for the year and the distribution of dividends;

III – elect the members of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee.

 


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Art. 40 – The Extraordinary General Meeting, in addition to the cases provided for by law, shall be convened by a call of the Board of Directors, the latter preceded by advice from the Minority Committee, pursuant to art. 30, §4 and 5 of these Articles of Incorporation, when appropriate, to deliberate on matters of interest to the Company, especially:

I – reform of the Bylaws;

II – modification in social capital;

III – evaluation of assets which the shareholder contributes for capital increase;

IV – issuance of debentures convertible into shares or their sale when in treasury;

V – incorporation of the Company to another company, its dissolution, transformation, demerger, merger;

VI – participation of the Company in a group of companies;

VII – dismissal of members of the Board of Directors;

VIII – sale of debentures convertible into shares held the Company and issuance of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and controlled companies;

IX – cancellation of the open Company registration;

X – selection of a specialized company, based on the presentation by the Board of Directors of a triple list of specialized companies, with proven experience and independence as to the decision-making power of the Company, its administrators and / or controlling shareholder, and requirements and responsibilities of §§ 1 and 6 of art. 8 of the Business Corporate Act, for the preparation of an appraisal report of its shares for the respective economic value, to be used in the event of cancellation of the registration as a publicly-held company or Level 2;

XI – waiver to the right to subscription of shares or debentures convertible into shares of wholly-owned subsidiaries, controlled or affiliated companies;

XII – approval of the requirements of the Nomination Policy which are additional to those included in the applicable legislation to members of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee.

§1 – The deliberation on the matter referred to in item XI of this Article shall be taken by an absolute majority of the votes of common shares in circulation, not computing blank votes.

§2 – In the event of a public offer made by the controlling shareholder, said shareholder shall bear the costs of preparation of the appraisal report.

§3 – In the hypotheses of art. 30, §4 and 5, the opinion of the Minority Committee and the manifestation of the Board of Directors, when it differs from the opinion of the Minority Committee, shall be included in the management proposal that will instruct the vote of the Ordinary Shareholders at the General Meeting.

§4 – The controlling shareholder may express an opinion contrary to the advice of the Minority Committee and may provide reasons for which it considers that such recommendations should not be followed.

Art. 41 – The General Meeting shall set, annually, the overall or individual amount of the remuneration of officers, as well as the limits of their profit shares, pursuant to the norms of specific legislation, and that of the members of the Advisory Committees to the Board of Directors.

Art. 42 – The General Meetings shall be chaired by the CEO of the Company or a substitute designated by the latter, whereas, in the absence of both, by 1 (one) shareholder chosen by the majority of votes of those present.

 


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Chapter VI – Audit Committee

Art. 43 – The permanent Audit Committee consists of up to five (5) members and their respective alternates, elected by the Ordinary General Meeting, all resident in the Country, subject to the requirements and impediments set forth in the Brazilian Corporation Law, in the Indication Policy, in the Decree Nº 8.945, dated December 27, 2016 and in art. 21, paragraph 1, 2 and 3 of these Articles of Incorporation, shareholders or not, of which one (1) will be elected by the holders of the minority common shares and another by the holders of the preferred shares, in a separate vote.

§1 – Among the members of the Audit Committee, one (1) will be appointed by the Minister of Economy, as representative of the National Treasury.

§2 – In the event of vacancy, resignation, impediment or unjustified absence to two (2) consecutive meetings, the member of the Audit Committee shall be replaced, until the end of the term of office, by the respective alternate.

§3 – The members of the Audit Committee will be invested in their positions by signing the declaration of acceptance of office in the book of minutes and opinions of the Audit Committee, which will include: (i) the subscription to the Instrument of Consent of the Members of the Fiscal Council pursuant to the provisions of the Level 2 Regulation, as well as compliance with legal requirements applicable, and (ii) consent to the terms of the arbitration clause dealt with in art. 58 of these Bylaws.

§4 – The procedure set forth in art. 21, §4, 5 and 7 of these Bylaws to the nominations for members of the Audit Committee.

§5 – The members of the Audit Committee must also declare if they meet the independence criteria set forth in art. 18, § 5 of these Bylaws.

Art. 44 – The term of office of Audit Committee members is 1 (one) year, whereas 2 (two) consecutive reelections are permitted.

§1 – The reelection of the Audit Committee member who does not participate in any annual training provided by the Company in the last 2 (two) years is prohibited.

§2 – Once the maximum renewal period has expired, the return of the Audit Committee Member to Petrobras can only occur after a period equivalent to one (1) term of performance.

Art. 45 – The remuneration of the members of the Audit Committee, in addition to the compulsory reimbursement of travel and stay expenses necessary for the performance of the function, shall be fixed by the General Meeting that elects them, subject to the limit established in Act N. 9.292 of July 12, 1996.

Art. 46 – It competes to the Audit Committee, without prejudice to other powers which are conferred on it by virtue of legal provision or by determination of the General Meeting:

I – inspect, by any of its members, the acts of officers and verify the fulfillment of their legal and statutory duties;

II – opine on the annual report of management, ensuring the inclusion in its opinion of the additional information it deems necessary or useful to the deliberation of the General Meeting;

III – opine on the proposals of officers, to be submitted to the General Management, concerning the modification of the social capital, issuance of debentures or subscription bonus, investment plans or capital budgets, distribution of dividends, transformation, incorporation, merger or division of the Company;

IV – denounce, by any of its members, to the management bodies and, if such bodies do not take the necessary measures to protect the interests of the Company, to the General Meeting, the errors, frauds or crimes that they discover, and suggest actions useful to the Company;

V – to call the Ordinary General Meeting if the directors delay the call for more than one (1) month, and the Extraordinary Meeting whenever there are serious or urgent reasons, including in the agenda of the meetings the matters they deem necessary;

VI – analyze, at least on a quarterly basis, the balance sheet and other financial statements prepared periodically by the Executive Board;

VII – examine the financial statements of the fiscal period and opine on them;

VIII – exercise these attributions during liquidation.

 


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Sole paragraph. The members of the Audit Committee shall participate, compulsorily, in the meetings of the Board of Directors which evaluate the matters referred to in items II, III and VII of this article.

Chapter VII – Company Employees

Art. 47 – The employees of Petrobras are subject to labor legislation and the internal rules of the Company, in compliance to the legal standards applicable to employees of mixed-capital companies.

Art. 48 – The admission of employees by Petrobras and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and controlled companies shall obey a public selection process, in accordance with the terms approved by the Executive Board.

Art. 49 – The functions of the Senior Administration and the responsibilities of the respective holders shall be defined in the Basic Organizational Plan of the Company.

§1 – The positions referred to in the caput of this article, linked to the Board of Directors, may exceptionally, and at the discretion of the Board of Directors, be attributed to technicians or specialists who are not part of the Company’s permanent staff, by means of positions in commission of free provision.

§2 – The functions referred to in the caput of this article, linked to the Executive Board or its members, may, on a proposal and justification of the Board of Executive Officers and approval of the Board of Directors, exceptionally be assigned to technicians or specialists who are not part of the Board of Directors. Company’s permanent staff, by means of positions in commission of free provision.

§3 – The managerial functions that are part of the organizational framework of the Company, in the other levels, shall have the responsibilities of holders as defined in the rules of the respective bodies.

Art. 50 – Notwithstanding the requisitions provided by law, the transfer of employees of Petrobras and its wholly-owned subsidiaries or controlled companies shall depend on the approval, in each case, of the Executive Board and shall be made whenever possible, through the reimbursement of the corresponding costs.

Art. 51 – The Company shall allocate a portion of the yearly results to be distributed among its employees, pursuant to the criteria approved by the Board of Directors, in compliance with the legislation in force.

Chapter VIII – General Provisions

Art. 52 – The activities of Petrobras shall obey the Basic Plan of Organization, which shall contain, among others, the organization model and define the nature and responsibilities of each unit of the general structure and the subordination relations necessary to the operation of Petrobras, pursuant to these Bylaws.

Art. 53 – The fiscal year shall coincide with the calendar year, ending on December 31 of each year, when the balance sheet and other financial statements shall be prepared and shall meet the applicable legal provisions.

§1 – Subject to legal provisions The Company may prepare balance sheets, making interim dividend payments based on earnings or interest on own capital verified in semiannual or lower balance sheets, considering the results obtained in each quarter by resolution of the Board of Directors, subject to legal provisions.

§2 – The Board of Directors may approve the payment of intermediate dividends to the profit reserve account existing in the last balance sheet approved at the General Meeting.

§3 – Intermediate and interim dividends and interest on equity shall be allocated to the minimum mandatory dividend.

Art. 54 – On the funds transferred by the Federal Government or deposited by minority shareholders, for the purpose of increasing the capital of the Company, financial charges equivalent to the SELIC rate from the day of transfer to the date of capitalization shall apply.

Art. 55 – Petrobras will shall allocate, from the net profit assessed on its annual Balance Sheet, the share of 0.5% (five tenths percent) of paid-in capital, for the constitution of a special reserve intended to the costing of research and technological development programs of the Company.

Sole paragraph. The accrued balance of the reserve provided for in this article shall not exceed 5% (five percent) of paid-in capital.

 


LOGO

Art. 56 – Once the distribution of the minimum dividend referred to in art. 8 of these Bylaws is decided, the General Meeting, in compliance with the terms of corporate legislation and specific federal norms, may assign specific percentages or gratuity to the members of the Executive Board of the Company, as variable remuneration.

Art. 57 – The Executive Board may authorize the practice of reasonable gratuitous acts for the benefit of employees or the community in which the company participates, including the donation of non-existent goods, in view of their social responsibilities, as provided in § 4 of art. 154 of the Corporate Law.

Art. 58 – The Company, shareholders, administrators and members of the Fiscal Council undertake to resolve, through arbitration, before the Market Arbitration Chamber, any dispute or controversies that may arise among them, related to or arising, in particular, from the application, validity, effectiveness, interpretation, violation and effects of the provisions contained in the Brazilian Corporation Law, Law 13303, of June 30, 2016, in the Company’s Bylaws, in the rules issued by the National Monetary Council, Banco Central do Brasil and the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as in other rules applicable to the operation of the general stock market, in addition to those contained in the Level 2 Regulation, Arbitration Regulation, Participation Agreement and Level 2 Sanctions Regulation.

Sole Paragraph. The provisions of the caput do not apply to disputes or controversies that refer to Petrobras activities based on art. 1 of Law No. 9478, dated August 6, 1997, and complying with the provisions of these By-Laws regarding the public interest that justified the Company’s creation, as well as disputes or controversies involving inalienable rights.

Art. 59 – Contracts entered into by Petrobras for the acquisition of goods and services shall be preceded by a bidding procedure, in accordance with the applicable legislation

Art. 60 – The sale of the shareholding control of Petrobras, either through a single operation or through successive operations, may only be contracted under the condition, suspensive or resolving, that the acquirer undertakes, observing the conditions and the terms established in current legislation and in the Level 2 Regulation, make a public offer for the acquisition of the shares of the other shareholders, to assure them equal treatment to that given to the selling controlling shareholder.

§1 – The public offering, provided for in the caput of this article, shall also be carried out when there is (i) onerous assignment of subscription rights for shares and other securities or rights related to securities convertible into shares, resulting in the sale of the control of the Company; or (ii) in case of sale of control of a company that holds control of Petrobras, in which case the selling controlling shareholder will be obliged to declare to B3 the amount attributed to Petrobras in said sale and attach documentation proving that value.

§2 – Any person who acquires control by virtue of a private share purchase agreement entered into with the controlling shareholder, involving any number of shares, shall be bound to: (i) execute the public offering referred to in the caput of this article, and (ii) to pay, in the following terms, an amount equal to the difference between the price of the public offering and the amount paid per share, months prior to the date of acquisition of control, duly updated up to the date of payment. The said amount shall be distributed among all persons who sold Petrobras shares at the trading sessions in which the buyer made the acquisitions, in proportion to the daily net selling balance of each one, and B3 is responsible for operating the distribution, in compliance with its regulations.

§3 – The selling controlling shareholder will only transfer ownership of its shares if the buyer subscribes the Instrument of Consent of the Controlling Shareholders. The Company will only register the transfer of shares to the buyer, or to those who come to hold the power of control, if they subscribe to the Instrument of Consent of the Controllers referred to in Level 2 Regulation.

§4 – Petrobras will only register a shareholder’s agreement that provides for the exercise of control power if its signatories subscribe the Instrument of Consent of the Controllers.

Art. 61 – In the event of cancellation of Petrobras’ public company registration and consequent egress from Level 2, a minimum price must be offered to the shares, corresponding to the economic value determined by a specialized company chosen by the General Meeting, pursuant to the Business Corporation Act, and as provided in art. 40, item XI of these Bylaws.

Sole paragraph. The costs of hiring a specialized company covered by this article will be borne by the controlling shareholder.

 


LOGO

Art. 62 – In case the Company’s egress from Level 2 is deliberated so that the securities issued by it will be admitted to trading outside Level 2, or by virtue of a corporate reorganization operation, in which the company resulting from such reorganization does not has its securities admitted to trading on Level 2 within a period of 120 (one hundred and twenty) days from the date of the general meeting that approved said transaction, the controlling shareholder shall make a public offer for the acquisition of the shares belonging to the other shareholders of the Company, at least, by the respective economic value, to be determined in an appraisal report prepared pursuant to art. 40, item X of these Bylaws, respecting the applicable legal and regulatory rules.

§1 – The controlling shareholder will be exempt from making a public tender offer referred to in the caput of this article if the Company leaves Corporate Governance Level 2 due to the execution of the Company’s agreement to participate in the special segment of B3, namely “Novo Mercado” (“New Market”), or if the company resulting from a corporate reorganization obtains authorization to trade securities on the New Market within a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days as of the date of the general shareholders’ meeting that approved said transaction.

Art. 63 – In the event that there is no controlling shareholder, in case the Company’s egress from Level 2 of Corporate Governance is deliberated so that the securities issued by it will be admitted to trading outside Level 2 of Corporate Governance, or by virtue of a reorganization operation in which the company resulting from such reorganization does not have its securities admitted to trading on Level 2 of Corporate Governance or New Market within a period of 120 (one hundred and twenty) days as of the date of the general meeting that approved said transaction, the egress will be conditional on the realization of a public offering for the acquisition of shares under the same conditions set forth in art. 62 of these Articles of Incorporation.

§1 – The said general meeting shall define the person (s) responsible for conducting the public tender offer, the person(s) present at the meeting shall expressly assume the obligation to perform the offer.

§2 – In the absence of a definition of those responsible for conducting the public offering for the acquisition of shares, in the event of a corporate reorganization operation, in which the company resulting from such reorganization does not have its securities admitted for trading in Level 2 of Corporate Governance, voted in favor of the corporate reorganization to make such offer.

Art. 64 – The egress of Petrobras from Level 2 of Corporate Governance due to noncompliance with the obligations contained in the Level 2 Regulation is conditioned to the effectiveness of a public offering for the acquisition of shares, at least by the Economic Value of the shares, to be determined in an appraisal report dealt with in art. 40, item X of these Bylaws, respecting the applicable legal and regulatory rules.

§1 – The controlling shareholder shall carry out the public offering for acquisition of shares provided for in the caput of this article.

§2 – If there is no controlling shareholder and egress from Level 2 of Corporate Governance referred to in the caput results of a resolution of the general meeting, the shareholders who voted in favor of the resolution that implied the respective noncompliance shall carry out the tender offer in the caput.

§3 – If there is no controlling shareholder and the egress of Level 2 of Corporate Governance referred to in the caput occurs due to an act or fact of management, the Company’s Managers shall call a general meeting of shareholders whose agenda will be the resolution on how to remedy noncompliance with the obligations contained in the Level 2 Regulation or, if applicable, resolve on the Company’s egress from Level 2 of Corporate Governance.

§4 – If the general meeting referred to in §3 above decides for the Company’s egress from Level 2 of Corporate Governance, said general meeting shall define the person(s) responsible for conducting the public tender offer provided for in the caput, who, present at the meeting, must expressly assume the obligation to make the offer.

Exhibit 2.4

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

As of December 31, 2019, Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras (“Petrobras,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) had the following classes of securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

#    Title of each class    Trading symbol(s)    Name of each exchange
on which registered
I.   

 

Our common and preferred shares without par value*

 

   PBR/PBRA    NYSE
II.   

 

American Depositary Shares, or ADSs,**

each representing two of our common or preferred shares

 

   PBR/PBRA    NYSE
III.   

 

Floating Rate Global Notes due 2020, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

5.375% Global Notes due 2021, issued by PGF

(successor to PifCo)

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

8.375% Global Notes due 2021, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

6.125% Global Notes due 2022, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

4.375% Global Notes due 2023, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

6.250% Global Notes due 2024, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

5.299% Global Notes due 2025, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

8.750% Global Notes due 2026, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

7.375% Global Notes due 2027, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

5.999% Global Notes due 2028, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

5.750% Global Notes due 2029, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

6.875% Global Notes due 2040, issued by PGF

(successor to PifCo)

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

6.750% Global Notes due 2041, issued by PGF

(successor to PifCo)

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

5.625% Global Notes due 2043, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

7.250% Global Notes due 2044, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

6.900% Global Notes due 2049, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE
  

 

6.850% Global Notes due 2115, issued by PGF

 

   PBR    NYSE

 

*

Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of ADSs representing such ordinary or preferred shares, pursuant to the requirements of the SEC.

**

Evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, unless otherwise indicated herein.

 

1


I.

COMMON AND PREFERRED SHARES

The following description of our share capital and certain material provisions of our corporate rules is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, our bylaws, Brazilian Corporate Law and any other applicable law concerning Brazilian companies, as amended from time to time.

A copy of our bylaws is attached to our annual report as Exhibit 1.1. We encourage you to read our bylaws and the applicable sections of our annual report for additional information.

Share Capital

Our capital stock is composed of common shares and preferred shares, all without par value and denominated in reais. As of December 31, 2019 and as of February 29, 2020 our share capital, including shares in treasury, was represented by 13,044,496,930 shares, of which 7,442,454,142 were common shares and 5,602,042,788 were preferred shares. Neither our common shares, nor our preferred shares are convertible into each other.

In addition to the negotiation in the U.S., as detailed in item II below, our common and preferred shares are negotiated on the B3 (ticker symbols PETR3 and PETR4, respectively), as well as on the LATIBEX (ticker symbols XPBR and XPBRA, respectively). All of our shares are registered in book-entry form on behalf of their holders, without share certificates, and Banco Bradesco S.A. performs services of safe-keeping and transfer of shares. To make the transfer, Banco Bradesco S.A. makes an entry in the register, debits the share account of the transferor and credits the share account of the transferee.

Under Brazilian Corporate Law, the Brazilian federal government is required to own at least a majority of our voting stock. As of February 29, 2020 it owned 50.50% of our common shares through a block composed by the Brazilian federal government, BNDESPar and the Social Participation Fund.

Pursuant to CVM regulations, any Brazilian public company’s (i) direct or indirect controlling shareholders, (ii) shareholders who have elected members of such company’s board of directors or fiscal council, as well as (iii) any person or group of persons representing the same interest, in each case that has directly or indirectly acquired or sold an interest that exceeds (either upward or downward) the threshold of 5%, or any multiple thereof, of the total number of shares of any type or class, must disclose such shareholder’s or person’s share ownership or divestment, immediately after the acquisition or sale, to the CVM and the B3.

Changes to Our Share Capital

Changes to our share capital are decided by our shareholders. Our shareholders may at any time at a shareholders’ meeting decide to increase or decrease our share capital, and capital increases are subject to the preemptive rights held by all shareholders, in proportion to his or her shareholding. A minimum period of 30 days following the publication of notice of a capital increase is assured for the exercise of the right, and the right is transferable.

Any shareholders’ resolution must satisfy the quorum and all other legal requirements established in the Brazilian Corporate Law and in our bylaws. No shareholder is liable to make any further contribution to our capital stock other than with respect to the liability to pay the issue price of the shares subscribed or acquired by such shareholder.

The issuance of preferred shares does not need to follow the proportion of the common shares, provided that Brazilian Corporate Law establishes the issuance of preferred shares may not exceed two-thirds of the total number of our shares.

Our Control

As long as the Brazilian federal government holds a majority of our voting stock, any change in our control would require a change in applicable laws.

 

2


Dividends

Our dividend payments are subject to the provisions of Brazilian Corporate Law and applicable local laws and regulations. Our distributions can include dividends or interest on capital (juros sobre capital próprio). The payment of interest on capital is subject to withholding income tax, pursuant to Brazilian tax laws, which is not levied upon payments of dividends.

The profits are distributed in proportion to the number of shares owned by each shareholder on the applicable record date. Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law, we must comply with two mandatory distributions of dividends. Thus, our bylaws provide that we must pay at least 25% of our adjusted net income after deducting allocations to the legal reserve and further allocations eventually required by Brazilian Corporate Law.

Brazilian Corporate Law permits a publicly held company such as ours to suspend the mandatory distribution of dividends in case our board of directors and our fiscal council report to the annual general shareholders’ meeting that the distribution would not be advisable due to the company’ s financial condition.

Payments for each fiscal year must be made following shareholders’ approval at the annual general meeting of shareholders. Our preferred shares have preference in the distribution of dividends and interest on capital. The payment of dividends to holders of common shares is subject to the right to dividend distributions of holders of preferred shares.

Holders of our preferred shares have priority to receive the mandatory amount, as well as in the event of reimbursement of capital. They are also entitled to minimum annual non-cumulative preferential dividends in case we declare dividends equal to the higher of (i) 5% of their pro rata share of our paid-in capital, or (ii) 3% of the book value of their preferred shares.

Unless otherwise decided at the shareholders’ meeting, we pay dividends or interest on capital to our shareholders within 60 days from the date they are declared and, in any case, within the fiscal year in which the dividend or interest on capital was declared.

Our board of directors may approve the payment of anticipated dividends or interest on capital to our shareholders, which amount is subject to financial charges at the SELIC rate from the end of each fiscal year through the date we actually pay such dividends or interest on capital.

Our dividend distribution policy also includes the eventual payment of: (i) intermediate dividends (dividendos intercalares), which shall be calculated based on our balance sheet issued during the current fiscal year and not yet approved by our shareholders (i.e. before we have determined our full-year earnings); and (ii) interim dividends (dividendos intermediários), which shall be calculated based on our profit reserve account existing in the last balance sheet approved at our shareholders’ general meeting (i.e. these dividends are paid based on either an annual or semi-annual balance sheet already approved by our shareholders). The amount of interim dividends distributed cannot exceed the amount of our capital reserves.

In the event of gross indebtedness, including lease commitments, (a) in excess of US$ 60 billion, we may distribute to our shareholders the minimum mandatory dividends provided for by Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws; and (b) of less than US$ 60 billion, we may distribute to our shareholders 60% of the difference between the operating cash flow and investments, as calculated below:

Compensation = 60% x (OCF—CAPEX Investments)

 

  -

OCF means Operating Cash Flow (net cash generated by operating activities); and

  -

CAPEX Investments mean acquisitions of assets, fixed assets and intangibles, as well as corporate investments, provided that the following are not considered as CAPEX Investments: (a) proceeds from the sale of assets; (b) payments in the participation of bidding rounds for oil and natural gas upstream; and (c) payments relating to the acquisition of companies or equity interests.

If any dividend has not been claimed for 3 years after the date such dividend became due for payment, it will be forfeited and will revert to us.

 

3


Voting Rights

Our annual shareholders’ meeting takes place at our headquarter, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the end of April of each year. Additionally, our board of directors or, in some specific situations set forth in Brazilian Corporate Law our shareholders or our fiscal council, may call our extraordinary shareholders’ meetings.

Holders of our common shares are entitled to one voting right for each unit of common shares held. Holders of preferred shares are not entitled to voting rights, except for: (i) the right to appoint one member of our board of directors and one member of our fiscal council; and (ii) certain matters related to the preferred shares, whenever rights of holders of preferred shares are adversely affected.

Generally, the quorum required to hold shareholders’ meetings is at least 14 of our issued and outstanding common shares, except as provided for by Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws in relation to decisions regarding certain matters. Decisions are made by simple majority, except where Brazilian Corporate Law or our bylaws provide for a different quorum.

Certain matters require majority quorum for approval, including any amendment to our bylaws and the issuance of new shares. In addition, the appointment of a specialized firm to prepare an appraisal report of our shares in case of cancellation of our registration as a publicly-held company requires a special quorum, pursuant to the terms of B3 regulations.

The Brazilian federal government, as our majority shareholder, has the right to elect the majority of our directors and our employees have the right to elect one member of our board of directors to represent them, by means of a separate voting procedure.

Under Brazilian Corporate Law, minority shareholders representing at least 5% of our voting capital stock have the right to demand a cumulative voting procedure to elect a member of our board of directors.

Restrictions on Non-Brazilian Holders

There are no restrictions on ownership of our common or preferred shares by individuals or legal entities domiciled outside Brazil. Foreign investors may trade their shares through ADSs on the NYSE or directly on the B3.

However, the ability to convert dividend payments and proceeds from the sale of common or preferred shares or preemptive rights into foreign currency and to remit such amounts outside Brazil is subject to restrictions under foreign investment legislation, which generally requires, among other steps, the registration of the relevant investment with the Central Bank of Brazil. Nonetheless, any non-Brazilian holder who registers with the CVM may use the dividend payments and proceeds from the sale of shares to buy and sell securities directly on the B3.

Liquidation Rights

We can only be dissolved by shareholders’ resolution passed by at least 50% of our share capital. In the event of our liquidation, after payment of all liabilities, the balance of assets available for distribution will be distributed among the shareholders, each receiving a sum on a pro rata basis. Holders of preferred shares are entitled to receive, prior to any distribution to shareholders, payment for the portion of shareholder’s equity attributable to their equity interest.

Right to Withdraw

Subject to Brazilian Corporate Law, our shareholders have the right to withdraw their equity interests and receive the relevant payment for their shares in case such shareholders are adversely affected by specific resolutions from shareholders’ meeting, as well as if after a corporate reorganization involving us, the resulted entity does not negotiate new shares in the secondary market.

Given that our bylaws do not provide for rules to determine any value for redemption, any redemption of shares arising out of the exercise of such withdrawal rights would be made generally based on the book value per share, determined on the basis of the last balance sheet approved by our shareholders. However, if a shareholders’ meeting giving rise to redemption rights occurred more than 60 days after the latest approved balance sheet, the shareholders would be entitled to demand that their shares be valued based on a more updated balance sheet.

In case the right to withdraw lapses 30 days after publication of the applicable minutes of the shareholders’ meeting, we would be entitled to reconsider any action giving rise to withdraw rights if the payment of the reimbursement price jeopardizes our financial stability.

 

4


II.

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following description of the ADSs and certain material provisions of our corporate rules is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by the Deposit Agreement (as defined below), the form of ADS, which contain the terms of the ADSs, and any applicable law, as amended from time to time.

A copy of the Deposit Agreement (as defined below) is attached to our annual report as Exhibits 2.10 and 2.11. Copies of the Deposit Agreement are also available for inspection at the offices of our depositary.

We encourage you to read the Deposit Agreement (defined below), the ADS form and the applicable sections of our annual report for additional information.

General

In the U.S., we trade ADSs representing our common or preferred shares, which are evidenced by ADRs. The ADSs are negotiated on the NYSE. The ADSs representing common shares are traded with ticker symbol PBR and the ADSs representing preferred shares with ticker symbol PBRA.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. acts as depositary for both of our common and preferred ADSs (“JPMorgan”). In its capacity, the depositary will register and deliver the ADSs, each representing an ownership interest in (i) two common or preferred shares deposited with the custodian, as agent of the depositary, under the deposit agreement dated January 2, 2020 between us, the depositary, and registered holders and beneficial owners from time to time of the ADSs (the “Deposit Agreement”), and (ii) any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the depositary.

The principal executive office of JPMorgan and the office at which the ADSs will be administered is currently located at 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11, New York, New York 10179, United States.

You may hold ADSs either directly or indirectly through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, by having an ADS registered in your name on the books of the depositary, you are an ADS holder. If you hold the ADSs through your broker or financial institution nominee, you must rely on the procedures of such broker or financial institution to assert the rights of an ADS holder described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.

Holders of ADSs may not be able to exercise the preemptive rights relating to the common and preferred shares underlying their ADSs, unless a registration statement under the Exchange Act is effective with respect to those rights.

The depositary will be the holder of the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs. As a holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights, which are set out in the Deposit Agreement. The Deposit Agreement also sets out the rights and obligations of the depositary.

Share Dividends and Other Distributions

We may make various types of distributions with respect to our common or preferred shares, as detailed below. The depositary has agreed that, to the extent practicable, it will pay to ADS holders the dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on common or preferred shares, making any necessary deductions provided for in the Deposit Agreement. The depositary may utilize a division, branch or affiliate of JPMorgan to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of common or preferred shares under the Deposit Agreement. Such division, branch and/or affiliate may charge the depositary a fee in connection with such sales, which fee is considered an expense of the depositary. ADS holders will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of underlying common or preferred shares that such ADSs represent. Except as stated below, the depositary will deliver such distributions to ADR holders in proportion to their interests in the following manner:

 

   

Cash. The depositary will distribute any U.S. dollars available to it resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or portion thereof (to the extent applicable), on an averaged or other practicable basis, subject to (i) appropriate adjustments for taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable with respect to certain ADR holders, and (iii) deduction of the depositary’s and/or its agents’ fees and expenses in (1) converting any cash received in foreign currency into U.S. dollars to the extent that it determines that such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the United States by such means as the depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made on a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public or private means in any commercially reasonable manner.

 

5


   

Shares. In the case of a distribution in common or preferred shares, the depositary will issue additional ADRs to evidence the number of ADSs representing such common or preferred shares. Only whole ADSs will be issued. Any common or preferred shares which would result in fractional ADSs will be sold and the net proceeds will be distributed in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto. Any fees, taxes and/or charges owing in connection with a common or preferred share distribution will be collected from and/or owing by registered holders of ADSs.

 

   

Rights. In the case of a distribution of rights to subscribe for additional common or preferred shares or other rights, if we timely provide evidence satisfactory to the depositary that it may lawfully distribute such rights, the depositary will distribute warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the depositary representing such rights. However, if we do not timely furnish such evidence, the depositary may: (i) sell such rights if practicable and distribute the net proceeds in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto; or (ii) if it is not practicable to sell such rights by reason of the non-transferability of the rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, do nothing, in which case ADR holders will receive nothing and the rights may lapse. We have no obligation to file a registration statement under the Securities Act in order to make any rights available to ADR holders.

 

   

Other Distributions. In the case of a distribution of securities or property other than those described above, the depositary may either (i) distribute such securities or property in any manner it deems equitable and practicable or (ii) to the extent the depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, sell such securities or property and distribute any net proceeds in the same way it distributes cash.

 

   

Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. In the case of a dividend payable at the election of our shareholders in cash or in additional common or preferred shares, we will notify the depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not we wish such elective distribution to be made available to ADR holders. The depositary shall make such elective distribution available to ADR holders only if (i) we shall have timely requested that the elective distribution is available to ADR holders, (ii) the depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable and (iii) the depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of the Deposit Agreement including any legal opinions of counsel that the depositary in its reasonable discretion may request. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the ADR holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the common or preferred shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional common or preferred shares. If the above conditions are satisfied, the depositary shall establish procedures to enable ADR holders to elect the receipt of the proposed dividend in cash or in additional ADSs. There can be no assurance that ADR holders or beneficial owners of ADSs generally, or any ADR holder or beneficial owner of ADSs in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of common or preferred shares.

If the depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution described above is not practicable with respect to any specific ADR holder, the depositary may, after consultation with us (to the extent reasonably practicable) choose any method of distribution that it deems practicable for such ADR holder, including the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property, or it may retain such items, without paying interest on or investing them, on behalf of the ADR holder as deposited securities, in which case the ADSs will also represent the retained items. If at any time the depositary shall determine that in its reasonable judgment any foreign currency received by it is not convertible on a reasonable basis into U.S. dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any governmental authority or agency thereof that is required for such conversion is not sought or, if sought, denied, the depositary may, subject to applicable laws and regulations, either distribute the foreign currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign currency) to, or hold such foreign currency (without liability for interest thereon) for the respective accounts of, the ADR holders entitled to receive the same; provided, however, that if requested in writing by an ADR holder entitled thereto, the depositary may, in its reasonable discretion, distribute the foreign currency, as promptly as practicable.

 

6


If any such conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, can be effected for distribution to some but not all of the ADR holders entitled thereto, the depositary shall make such conversion and distribution in U.S. dollars to the extent permissible to the ADR holders entitled thereto and may either so distribute or hold such balance (without liability for interest thereon) for the respective accounts of, the ADR holders entitled thereto for whom such conversion and distribution is not reasonably practicable; provided, however, that if requested in writing by an ADR holder entitled thereto and permitted by applicable law, the depositary may, in its discretion, distribute the foreign currency, as promptly as practicable. To the extent the depositary holds foreign currency, any and all costs and expenses related to, or arising from, the holding of such foreign currency shall be paid from such foreign currency thereby reducing the amount so held hereunder.

The depositary is not responsible if it fails to determine that any distribution or action is lawful or reasonably practicable.

There can be no assurance that the depositary will be able to convert any currency at a specified exchange rate or sell any property, rights, shares or other securities at a specified price, nor that any of such transactions can be completed within a specified time period. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth in the “Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security” section of https://www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs, the location and contents of which the depositary shall be solely responsible for.

Withdrawal and Cancellation

When ADR holders turn in ADR certificates at the depositary’s office, or when ADR holders provide proper instructions and documentation in the case of direct registration ADSs, the depositary will, upon payment of certain applicable fees, charges and taxes, deliver the underlying common or preferred shares to the relevant ADR holder or upon ADR holder written order. Delivery of deposited securities in certificated form will be made at the custodian’s office. At ADR holders risk, expense and request, the depositary may deliver deposited securities at such other place requested.

The depositary may only restrict the withdrawal of deposited securities in connection with the reasons set forth in General Instruction I.A.(1) of Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933:

 

   

temporary delays caused by closing our transfer books or those of the depositary or the deposit of common or preferred shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends;

 

   

the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges; or

 

   

compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.

This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the Deposit Agreement.

Voting Rights

Holders of the ADSs do not have the same voting rights as holders of our shares. Holders of the ADSs are entitled to the contractual rights set forth for their benefit under the Deposit Agreement.

ADS holders exercise the voting rights by providing instructions to the depositary through proxy voting cards. As soon as practicable after receiving notice from us of any meeting at which the holders of common or preferred shares are entitled to vote, or of our solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of common or preferred shares, the depositary shall fix the ADS record date in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and distribute to the ADR holders a notice stating (i) final information particular to such vote and meeting and any solicitation materials, (ii) that each ADR holder on the record date set by the depositary will, subject to any applicable provisions of Brazilian Corporate Law, rule or regulation and our constituent documents, be entitled to instruct the depositary to exercise the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the common or preferred shares underlying such ADR holder’s ADSs and (iii) the manner in which such instructions may be given, including instructions to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us.

Each ADR holder is solely responsible for the forwarding of such notices to the beneficial owners of ADSs registered in such ADR holder’s name. Following actual receipt by the ADR department responsible for proxies and voting of ADR holders’ instructions (including, without limitation, instructions of any entity or entities acting on behalf of the nominee for DTC), the depositary shall, in the manner and on or before the time established by the depositary for such purpose, endeavor to vote or cause to be voted the common or preferred shares represented by the ADSs evidenced by such ADR holders in accordance with such instructions insofar as practicable and permitted under the provisions of or governing our common or preferred shares.

 

7


To the extent the depositary does not receive voting instructions with respect to any one or more ADSs, the depositary shall take such actions as are necessary, upon our written request and subject to applicable law and the terms of the common or preferred shares, to cause the amount of common or preferred shares represented by such ADSs to be counted for the purpose of satisfying applicable quorum requirements, provided, however that the depositary shall not represent or present for quorum purposes any deposited securities represented by ADSs for which voting instructions were not received unless and until the depositary has been provided with an opinion of our internal or external counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the depositary.

The depositary will not itself exercise any voting discretion. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, the depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by any law, rule or regulation, or by the rules and/or requirements of the stock exchange on which the ADSs are listed, in lieu of distribution of the materials provided to the depositary in connection with any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies from, holders of deposited securities, distribute to the ADR holders a notice that provides such ADR holders with, or otherwise publicizes to such ADR holders, instructions on how to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon request (i.e., by reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials).

Amendment and Termination

We may agree with the depositary to amend the Deposit Agreement and the ADSs without ADS holders consent for any reason. ADR holders must be given at least 30 days’ notice of any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges on a per ADS basis (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, SWIFT, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of ADR holders or beneficial owners of ADSs. Such notice need not describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, but must identify to ADR holders a means to access the text of such amendment. If an ADR holder continues to hold an ADR or ADRs after being so notified, such ADR holder and the beneficial owner of the corresponding ADSs are deemed to agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as so amended. Any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by us and the depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or (b) the ADSs or common or preferred shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by ADR holders, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of ADR holders or beneficial owners of ADSs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body or regulatory body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, we and the depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the form of ADR (and all outstanding ADRs) at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or supplement may take effect before a notice is given or within any other period of time as required for compliance. No amendment, however, will impair ADS holders’ right to surrender such ADSs and receive the underlying securities, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.

The depositary may, and shall at our written direction, terminate the Deposit Agreement and the ADRs by mailing notice of such termination to the ADR holders at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the depositary shall have (i) resigned as depositary under the Deposit Agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to ADR holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the Deposit Agreement within 60 days of the date of such resignation, and (ii) been removed as depositary under the Deposit Agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to ADR holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the Deposit Agreement on the 60th day after our notice of removal was first provided to the depositary. The depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement without notifying us, but subject to giving 30 days’ notice to the ADR holders, under the following circumstances: (i) in the event of our bankruptcy or insolvency, (ii) if the common or preferred shares cease to be listed on an internationally recognized stock exchange, (iii) if we effect (or will effect) a redemption of all or substantially all of the deposited securities, or a cash or share distribution representing a return of all or substantially all of the value of the deposited securities, or (iv) there occurs a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other transaction as a result of which securities or other property are delivered in exchange for or in lieu of deposited securities.

After the date so fixed for termination, the depositary and its agents will perform no further acts under the Deposit Agreement and the ADRs, except to receive and hold (or sell) distributions on deposited securities and deliver deposited securities being withdrawn. As soon as practicable after the date so fixed for termination, the depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to sell the deposited securities and shall thereafter (as long as it may lawfully do so) hold in an account (which may be a segregated or unsegregated account) the net proceeds of such sales, together with any other cash then held by it under the Deposit Agreement, without liability for interest, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the ADR holders who have not theretofore surrendered their ADRs. After making such sale, the depositary shall be discharged from all obligations in respect of the Deposit Agreement and the ADRs, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash. After the date so fixed for termination, we shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for our obligations to the depositary and its agents.

 

8


Limitations on Obligations and Liability to ADS Holders

Prior to the issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or cancellation of any ADRs, or the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, and from time to time in the case of the production of proofs as described below, we or the depositary or its custodian may require:

 

   

payment with respect thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of common or preferred shares or other deposited securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable fees and expenses described in the Deposit Agreement;

 

   

the production of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity of any signatory and genuineness of any signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial or other ownership of, or interest in, any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing deposited securities and terms of the Deposit Agreement and the ADRs, as it may deem necessary or proper; and

 

   

compliance with such regulations as the depositary may establish consistent with the Deposit Agreement.

The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of common or preferred shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or the withdrawal of common or preferred shares, may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR register or any register for deposited securities is closed or when any such action is deemed advisable by the depositary.

The Deposit Agreement expressly limits the obligations and liability of the depositary, ourselves and each of our and the depositary’s respective agents, provided, however, that no provision of the Deposit Agreement is intended to constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which ADR holders or beneficial owners of ADSs may have under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable. In the Deposit Agreement it provides that neither we nor the depositary nor any such agent will be liable to ADR holders or beneficial owners of ADSs if:

 

   

any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, the Federative Republic of Brazil or any other country or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or governing any deposited securities, any present or future provision of our constituent documents, any act of God, war, terrorism, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions, computer failure or circumstance beyond our, the depositary’s or our respective agents’ direct and immediate control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause any of them to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with, any act which the Deposit Agreement or the ADRs provide shall be done or performed by us, the depositary or our respective agents (including, without limitation, voting);

 

   

it exercises or fails to exercise discretion under the Deposit Agreement or the ADRs including, without limitation, any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable;

 

   

it performs its obligations under the Deposit Agreement and ADRs without gross negligence or willful misconduct;

 

   

it takes any action or refrains from taking any action in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting shares for deposit, any ADR holder, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information, or in the case of the depositary only, our company;

 

   

it relies upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties; or

 

   

for the inability of any ADR holder or beneficial owner of ADSs to benefit from, or participate in, any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of shares but is not made available to ADR holders.

 

9


The depositary shall not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to ADR holders or beneficial owners of ADSs. Neither the depositary nor its agents have any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities, the ADSs or the ADRs. We and our agents shall only be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities, the ADSs or the ADRs, which in our opinion may involve us in expense or liability, if indemnity satisfactory to us against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability is furnished as often as may be required. The depositary and its agents may fully respond to any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf in connection with the Deposit Agreement, any ADR holder or holders, any ADRs or otherwise related to the Deposit Agreement or ADRs to the extent such information is requested or required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation laws, rules, regulations, administrative or judicial process, banking, securities or other regulators. The depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions made by, or the insolvency of, any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system. Furthermore, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, the insolvency of any custodian that is not a branch or affiliate of JPMorgan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADRs, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, any act or omission to act on the part of the custodian except to the extent that any ADR holder has incurred liability directly as a result of the custodian having (i) committed fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services to the depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to. the depositary as determined in accordance with the standards prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the custodian is located. The depositary and the custodian may use third party delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as pricing, proxy voting, corporate actions, class action litigation and other services in connection with the ADRs and the Deposit Agreement, and use local agents to provide extraordinary services such as attendance at annual meetings of issuers of securities. Although the depositary and the custodian will use reasonable care (and cause their agents to use reasonable care) in the selection and retention of such third party providers and local agents, they will not be responsible for any errors or omissions made by them in providing the relevant information or services. The depositary shall not have any liability for the price received in connection with any sale of securities, the timing thereof or any delay in action or omission to act nor shall it be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party so retained in connection with any such sale or proposed sale.

The depositary has no obligation to inform ADR holders or beneficial owners of ADSs about the requirements of any laws, rules or regulations or any changes therein or thereto.

Additionally, none of us, the depositary or the custodian shall be liable for the failure by any ADR holder or beneficial owner of ADSs to obtain the benefits of credits or refunds of non-U.S. tax paid against such ADR holder’s or beneficial owner’s income tax liability. The depositary is under no obligation to provide ADR holders or beneficial owners of ADSs, or any of them, with any information about the tax status of our company. Neither we nor the depositary shall incur any liability for any tax or tax consequences that may be incurred by ADR holders or beneficial owners of ADSs on account of their ownership or disposition of the ADRs or ADSs.

Neither the depositary nor its agents will be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the deposited securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast, including without limitation any vote cast by a person to whom the depositary is required to grant a discretionary proxy pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, or for the effect of any such vote. The depositary may rely upon instructions from us or our counsel in respect of any approval or license required for any currency conversion, transfer or distribution. The depositary shall not incur any liability for the content of any information submitted to it by us or on our behalf for distribution to ADR holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the deposited securities, for the validity or worth of the deposited securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from us. The depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the depositary. Neither the depositary nor any of its agents shall be liable to ADR holders or beneficial owners of ADSs for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) or lost profits, in each case of any form incurred by any person or entity (including, without limitation, ADR holders and beneficial owners of ADSs), whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought.

The depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of securities of our company and our affiliates and in ADSs.

Books of Depositary

The depositary or its agent will maintain a register for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs, which register shall include the depositary’s direct registration system. ADR holders may inspect such records at the depositary’s office at all reasonable times, but solely for the purpose of communicating with other ADR holders in the interest of the business of our company or a matter relating to the Deposit Agreement. Such register (and/or any portion thereof) may be closed at any time or from time to time, when deemed expedient by the depositary, and the depositary may also close the issuance book portion of such register when reasonably requested by us solely in order to enable us to comply with applicable law.

The depositary will maintain facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs.

 

10


III.    DEBT SECURITIES

Each series of guaranteed notes listed on the NYSE and set forth on the cover page to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 has been issued by PGF itself, or as successor to PifCo, and is guaranteed by us. Each of these series of notes and related guarantees was issued pursuant to an effective registration statement and a related prospectus and prospectus supplement (if applicable).

The following table sets forth each relevant series of notes (the “Notes”) registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Series

  

Date of
Issuance

  

Principal
Amount

  

Principal
Payment

  

Interest

  

Interest Payment Date

   Maturity
Date
  

Default Rate

  

Indenture

  

Prospectus
Supplement

Floating Rate Global Notes due 2020

   3.17.2014    US$500 million   

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

   Floating rate equal to the 3-month U.S. dollar LIBOR(a) plus 2.880% (the rate will be reset quarterly)   

March 17, June 17, September 17 and December 17 of each year

 

1st payment: 6.17.2014

   3.17.2020    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.29.2012    Prospectus Supplement dated March 10, 2014 (To Prospectus dated August 29, 2012)

5.375% Global Notes due 2021

  

1.20.2011

 

(reopening: 2.06.2012)

  

US$5,250 million

 

(original: US$2,500 million; and reopening: US$2,750 million)

  

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

5.375% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

January 27 and July 27 of each year

 

1st payment: original – 7.27.2011; reopening—7.27.2012

   1.27.2021    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 12.15.2006   

Reopening:

Prospectus Supplement dated February 1, 2012 (To Prospectus dated December 11, 2009)

8.375% Global Notes due 2021

  

5.23.2016

 

(reopening: 7.13.2016)

  

US$6,750 million

 

(original: US$5,000 million; and reopening: US$1,750 million)

  

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

8.375% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

May 23 and November 23 of each year

 

1st payment: 11.23.2016

   5.23.2021    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.29.2012   

Reopening:

Prospectus Supplement dated July 7, 2016 (To Prospectus dated August 28, 2015)

6.125% Global Notes due 2022

  

1.17.2017

 

(reopening: 5.22.2017)

  

US$3,000 million

 

(original: US$2,000 million; and reopening: US$1,000 million)

  

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

6.125% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

January 17 and July 17 of each year

 

1st payment: 7.17.2017

   1.17.2022    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.29.2012    Prospectus Supplement dated May 15, 2017 (To Prospectus dated August 28, 2015)

 

11


Series

  

Date of
Issuance

  

Principal
Amount

  

Principal
Payment

  

Interest

  

Interest Payment Date

   Maturity
Date
  

Default Rate

  

Indenture

  

Prospectus
Supplement

4.375% Global Notes due 2023

   5.20.2013    US$3,500 million   

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

4.375% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

May 20 and November 20 of each year

 

1st payment: 11.20.2013

   5.20.2023    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.29.2012    Prospectus Supplement dated May 13, 2013 (To Prospectus dated August 29, 2012)

6.250% Global Notes due 2024

   3.17.2014    US$2,500 million   

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

6.250% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

March 17 and September 17 of each year

 

1st payment: 9.17.2014

   3.17.2024    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.29.2012    Prospectus Supplement dated March 10, 2014 (To Prospectus dated August 29, 2012)

5.299% Global Notes due 2025

   9.27.2017    US$1,000 million   

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

5.299% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

January 27 and July 27 of each year

 

1st payment: 7.27.2018

   1.27.2025    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Note Indenture dated 9.27.2017    Prospectus dated August 17, 2018 (c)

8.750% Global Notes due 2026

  

5.23.2016

 

(reopening: 7.13.2016)

  

US$3,000 million

 

(original: US$1,750 million; and reopening: US$1,250 million)

  

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

8.750% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

May 23 and November 23 of each year

 

1st payment: 11.23.2016

   5.23.2026    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.29.2012    Prospectus Supplement dated July 7, 2016 (To Prospectus dated August 28, 2015)

7.375% Global Notes due 2027

  

1.17.2017

 

(reopening: 5.22.2017)

  

US$4,000 million

 

(original: US$2,000 million; and reopening: US$2,000 million)

  

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

7.375% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

January 17 and July 17 of each year

 

1st payment: 7.17.2017

   1.17.2027    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.29.2012    Prospectus Supplement dated May 15, 2017 (To Prospectus dated August 28, 2015)

5.999% Global Notes due 2028

   1.27.2017    US$1,000 million   

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

   5.999% per annum   

January 27 and July 27 of each year

 

1st payment: 7.27.2018

   1.27.2028    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Note Indenture dated 9.27.2017    Prospectus dated August 17, 2018 (c)

 

12


Series

  

Date of
Issuance

  

Principal
Amount

  

Principal
Payment

  

Interest

  

Interest Payment Date

   Maturity
Date
  

Default Rate

  

Indenture

  

Prospectus
Supplement

5.750% Global Notes due 2029

  

2.01.2018

 

(reopening: 3.19.2019)

  

US$2,750 million

 

(original: US$2,000 million; and reopening: US$750 million)

  

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

5.750% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

February 1 and August 1 of each year

 

1st payment: 8.01.2019

   2.01.2029    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.29.2012    Prospectus Supplement dated March 12, 2019 (To Prospectus dated March 1, 2019)

6.875% Global Notes due 2040

   10.30.2009    US$1,500 million   

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

6.875% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

January 20 and July 20 of each year

 

1st payment: 1.20.2010

   1.20.2040    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 12.15.2006    Prospectus Supplement dated October 23, 2009 (To Prospectus dated December 18, 2006)

6.750% Global Notes due 2041

  

1.27.2011

 

(reopening: 2.06.2012)

  

US$2,250 million

 

(original: US$1,000 million; and reopening: US$1,250 million)

  

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

6.750% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

January 27 and July 27 of each year

 

1st payment: original – 7.27.2011; reopening—7.27.2012

   1.27.2041    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 12.15.2006    Prospectus Supplement dated February 1, 2012 (To Prospectus dated December 11, 2009)

5.625% Global Notes due 2043

   5.20.2013    US$1,750 million   

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

5.625% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

May 20 and November 20 of each year

 

1st payment: 11.20.2013

   5.20.2043    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.29.2012    Prospectus Supplement dated May 13, 2013 (To Prospectus dated August 29, 2012)

7.250% Global Notes due 2044

  

3.17.2014

 

(reopening: 5.22.2017)

  

US$2,000 million

 

(original: US$1,000 million; and reopening: US$1,000 million)

  

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

7.250% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

March 17 and September 17 of each year

 

1st payment: 9.17.2017

   3.17.2044    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.29.2012    Prospectus Supplement dated May 15, 2017 (To Prospectus August 28, 2015)

 

13


Series

  

Date of
Issuance

  

Principal
Amount

  

Principal
Payment

  

Interest

  

Interest Payment Date

   Maturity
Date
  

Default Rate

  

Indenture

  

Prospectus
Supplement

6.900% Global Notes due 2049

   3.19.2019    US$2,250 million   

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

6.900% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

March 19 and September 19 of each year

 

1st payment: 9.19.2019

   3.19.2049    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.28.2018    Prospectus Supplement dated March 12, 2019 (To Prospectus dated March 1, 2019)

6.850% Global Notes due 2115

   6.5.2015    US$2,500 million   

Single installment

 

No principal amount payment prior to maturity(b)

  

6.850% per annum

(based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months)

  

June 5 and December 5 of each year

 

1st payment: 12.5.2015

   6.05.2115    0,5% per annum above the interest rate    Base Indenture dated 8.29.2012    Prospectus Supplement dated June 1, 2015 (To Prospectus dated August 29, 2012)

 

(a)

LIBOR is the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for deposits in U.S. dollars with maturity of three months starting on the related interest reset date that appears on Bloomberg L.P.’s page on the applicable Interest Determination Date. Such page is the display that appears on Bloomberg L.P.’s page or any page as may replace it for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates of major banks for U.S. dollars.

(b)

Except in the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as such term is defined in the applicable Note) and acceleration of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes, upon redemption prior to the maturity date.

(c)

The 5.299% Global Notes due 2025 and the 5.999% Global Notes due 2028 (the “Old Notes”) were initially issued by PGF on September 27, 2017. The Old Notes were offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. On July 27, 2018, PGF offered an equal principal amount of new notes, which terms are substantially identical to the Old Notes, in exchange for the Old Notes.

 

14


The following description of our debt securities and certain material provisions of our prospectus and guaranties is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by PGF’s indentures, any supplement to such indentures, the instruments representing each series of the Notes, guaranty instrument for each Note and any applicable law, as amended from time to time. Certain terms, unless otherwise defined here, have the meaning given to them in the relevant indenture.

A copy of PGF’s indentures and Notes’ guaranties is attached to our annual report as Exhibits 2.1 thru 2.3, 2.6 thru 2.9, 2.12 thru 2.26, and 2.28 thru 2.72. We encourage you to read such indentures and Notes’ guaranties, as well as the applicable sections of our annual report for additional information.

General

Any debt securities issued by PGF is governed by a document called an indenture. The indenture is a contract entered into between PGF and a trustee, currently The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Trustee”), as well as Petrobras as guarantor. The Trustee has the following main roles:

 

  (i)

to enforce debt holders’ rights against PGF if it defaults, although there are some limitations on the extent to which the Trustee acts on debt holders behalf that are described under “Default and Related Matters—Events of Default—Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs”; and

 

  (ii)

to perform administrative duties for PGF, such as sending interest payments to the debt holders, transferring the debt securities to a new buyer (if the former holder sells) and sending notices to debt holders.

Together or separately, PGF may issue as many distinct series of debt securities under the indentures as are authorized by the corporate bodies that are required under applicable law and PGF’s corporate organizational documents to authorize the issuance of debt securities. Specific issuances of debt securities will also be governed by a supplemental indenture, an officer’s certificate or a document evidencing the authorization of any such corporate body. This summary contains material terms of the debt securities that are common to all series and to each of the indentures, unless otherwise indicated in this Exhibit 2.4 and in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series.

As listed in the table above, until December 31, 2019 we have 17 outstanding Notes issued in U.S. dollar, which were all based on the following 5 different indentures, as applicably amended: (i) indenture entered into by PifCo and the Trustee on December 15, 2006 (“2006 Base Indenture”); (ii) indenture entered into by PGF and the Trustee on August 29, 2012 (“2012 Base Indenture”); (iii) indenture entered into by PGF and the Trustee on August 28, 2018 (“2018 Base Indenture”); (iv) indenture entered into by us, PGF and the Trustee on September 27, 2017 (“2025 Indenture”); and (v) indenture entered into by us, PGF and the Trustee on September 27, 2017 (“2028 Indenture”).

In addition, as result of a merger between PifCo and PGF as provided for in, and permitted by, the 2006 Base Indenture, on December 28, 2014 PGF assumed all of PifCo’s obligations under the 2006 Base Indenture, and the term PGF as used in this Exhibit 2.4 shall mean and refer to PGF itself or as PfiCo’s successor, as the case may be.

Each of the indentures and their associated documents contain the full legal text of the matters described herein. We and PGF have agreed that New York law governs the indentures and the debt securities. We and PGF have filed a copy of all applicable indentures with the SEC as exhibits to our respective registration statements. We and PGF have consented to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. federal court sitting in the borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, New York, United States and any appellate court from any thereof.

Types of Debt Securities

PGF may issue the debt securities at par, at a premium or as original issue discount securities, which are debt securities that are offered and sold at a substantial discount to their stated principal amount. PGF may also issue the debt securities as indexed securities or securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, currency units or composite currencies, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement relating to any such debt securities. We describe the U.S. federal income tax consequences and any other special considerations applicable to original issue discount, indexed or foreign currency debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement(s).

In addition, the material financial, legal and other terms particular to a series of debt securities are described in the prospectus supplement(s) relating to that series. Those terms may vary from the terms described here.

The prospectus supplement also states whether we will list the debt securities of the series on any stock exchange(s) and, if so, which one(s).

 

15


Additional Mechanics

Form, Exchange and Transfer

The Notes are issuable in whole in the registered form of one or more Global Notes (without coupons), in minimum denominations of US$2,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The debt holders may have the debt securities broken into more debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed. This is called an exchange.

Debt holders may exchange or transfer registered debt securities at the office of the Trustee. The Notes are transferable in integral multiples of US$2,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The Trustee will maintain an office in New York, New York and acts as agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring registered debt securities. PGF may change this appointment to another entity or perform the service ourselves. The entity performing the role of maintaining the list of registered holders is called the “security registrar.” It will also register transfers of the registered debt securities.

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange debt securities, but may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the exchange or transfer. The transfer or exchange of a registered debt security will only be made if the security registrar is satisfied with the proof of ownership.

If additional transfer agents were designated, they will be named in the prospectus supplement. The designation of any particular transfer agent may be canceled, and PGF may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

Payment and Paying Agents

PGF will pay interest, principal, additional amounts and any other money due on the registered debt securities at the corporate trust office of the Trustee in New York City (which is currently located at 101 Barclay Street, 7E, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Global Trust Services—Americas)1. Debt holders must make arrangements to have their payments picked up at or wired from that office. PGF may also choose to pay interest by mailing checks. Interest on global securities will be paid to the holder thereof by wire transfer of same-day funds.

Holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves how to compensate for the fact that PGF will pay all the interest for an interest period to, in the case of registered debt securities, the one who is the registered holder on the regular record date. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to pro-rate interest fairly between the buyer and seller. This pro-rated interest amount is called “accrued interest.” Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments.

PGF may also arrange for additional payment offices, and may cancel or change these offices, including its use of the Trustee’s corporate trust office. These offices are called “paying agents.” PGF may appoint paying agents outside the United States for a specific issuance of securities. Except with respect to the Notes issued pursuant to the 2006 Base Indenture, PGF may also choose to act as own paying agent. PGF must notify the debt holders of changes in the paying agents for the debt securities of any series that they hold.

Notices

PGF and the Trustee will send notices only to direct holders, using their addresses as listed in the registrar’s records.

Regardless of who acts as paying agent, all money that PGF pays to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount is due to direct holders will be repaid to PGF. After that two-year period, direct holders may look only to PGF for payment and not to the Trustee, any other paying agent or anyone else.

Rating

The Notes can be issued without the requirement that they have any rating from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

 

1 

The 2006 Base Indenture also considers the Bank of New York Mellon Trust (Japan) Ltd., located at Fokoku Seimei Building, 2-2-2 Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-8580, Japan; or JPMorgan Trust Bank Limited, located at Tokyo Building, 7-3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-6432, Japan, as applicable.

 

16


Special Situations

Mergers and Similar Events

Under the indentures, except as described below, we and PGF are generally permitted to consolidate, spin off2, or merge with another entity. We and PGF are also permitted to sell or lease substantially all of our respective assets to another entity or to buy or lease substantially all of the assets of another entity. No vote by holders of debt securities approving any of these actions is required, unless as part of the transaction we or PGF make changes to the indentures requiring holders’ approval, as described later under “—Modification and Waiver.” We and PGF may take these actions as part of a transaction involving outside third parties or as part of an internal corporate reorganization. We and/or PGF may take these actions even if they result in:

 

   

a lower credit rating being assigned to the debt securities; or

 

   

additional amounts becoming payable in respect of withholding tax, and the debt securities thus being subject to redemption at our option, as described later under “—Optional Tax Redemption.”

We and PGF have no obligation under the indentures to seek to avoid these results, or any other legal or financial effects that are disadvantageous to the debt holders, in connection with a merger, spin off3, consolidation or sale or lease of assets that is permitted under the indenture.

Petrobras

Pursuant to the indentures, we may merge into or consolidate with or convey, transfer or lease our property to another entity, provided that we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

 

   

If we merge out of existence or sell or lease our assets, the other entity must unconditionally assume our obligations on the debt securities, including the obligation to pay the additional amounts described under “Payment of Additional Amounts.” This assumption may be by way of a full and unconditional guaranty in the case of a sale or lease of substantially all of its assets.

 

   

We must indemnify the debt holders against any tax, assessment or governmental charge or other cost resulting from the transaction. This indemnification obligation only arises if the other entity is organized under the laws of a country other than the United States, a state thereof or Brazil.

 

   

We must not be in default on the debt securities immediately prior to such action and such action must not cause a default. For purposes of this no-default test, a default would include an event of default that has occurred and not been cured, as described later under “Default and Related Matters—Events of Default—What is An Event of Default?” A default for this purpose would also include any event that would be an event of default if the requirements for notice of default or existence of defaults for a specified period of time were disregarded.

 

   

The entity to which we sell or lease such assets guaranties our obligations or the entity into which we merge or consolidate with must execute a supplement to the indenture, known as a supplemental indenture. In the supplemental indenture, the entity must promise to be bound by every obligation in the indenture. Furthermore, in this case, the Trustee must receive an opinion of counsel stating that the entity’s guaranties are valid, that certain registration requirements applicable to the guaranties have been fulfilled and that the supplemental indenture complies with the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The entity that guarantees our obligations must also deliver certain certificates and other documents to the Trustee.

 

   

We must deliver to the Trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the transaction complies with the terms of the indenture and that all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture and relating to the transaction have been complied with.

 

   

We must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus supplement.

 

2 

The 2006 Base Indenture does not include spin-off as an corporate reorganization event.

3 

The 2006 Base Indenture does not include spin-off as an corporate reorganization event.

 

17


PGF

Pursuant to the indentures, PGF will not, in one or a series of transactions, consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any corporation or convey, lease, spin off or transfer substantially all of its properties, assets or revenues to any person or entity (other than one of our direct or indirect subsidiaries) or permit any person (other than a direct or indirect subsidiary of PGF) to merge with or into it, unless such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, lease, spin off or transfer of assets does not violate any provision of Dutch financial regulatory laws, and:

 

   

either PGF is the continuing entity or the person (the “successor company”) formed by the consolidation or into which PGF is merged or that acquired (through a transfer of assets, a spin-off or otherwise) or leased the property or assets of PGF will assume (jointly and severally with PGF unless PGF will have ceased to exist as a result of that merger, consolidation or amalgamation), by a supplemental indenture, all of PGF’s obligations under the indenture and the Notes;

 

   

the successor company (jointly and severally with PGF unless PGF will have ceased to exist as part of the merger, consolidation or amalgamation) agrees to indemnify each noteholder against any tax, assessment or governmental charge thereafter imposed on the noteholder solely as a consequence of the consolidation, merger, conveyance, spin-off, transfer or lease with respect to the payment of principal of, or interest, the Notes;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no default has occurred and is continuing; and

 

   

PGF has delivered to the Trustee a directors’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the transaction complies with the terms of the indenture and that all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture and relating to the transaction have been complied with.

With regard to the Notes issued according to the 2006 Base Indenture, it also must be considered to conduct a corporate reorganization the delivery of a notice by PGF (as successor of PifCo) describing the transaction to Moody’s to the extent that Moody’s is at that timing rate notes. Likewise, the Note issued according to the 2018 Base Indenture (as amended) sets forth for the delivery of a notice by PGF to the Trustee informing the relevant transaction.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, so long as no default or event of default under the indenture or the Notes will have occurred and be continuing at the time of the proposed transaction or would result from the transaction and such transaction would not violate any provision of Dutch financial regulatory laws:

 

   

PGF may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, spin off, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties, assets or revenues to a direct or indirect subsidiary of PGF or ours in cases when PGF is the surviving entity in the transaction and the transaction would not have a material adverse effect on PGF and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, it being understood that if PGF is not the surviving entity, PGF will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in the previous paragraph; or

 

   

any direct or indirect subsidiary of PGF may merge or consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, spin off, lease or otherwise dispose of assets to, any person (other than PGF or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) in cases when the transaction would not have a material adverse effect on PGF and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; or

 

   

any direct or indirect subsidiary of PGF may merge or consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of assets to, any other direct or indirect subsidiary of PGF or ours; or

 

   

any direct or indirect subsidiary of PGF may liquidate or dissolve if PGF determines in good faith that the liquidation or dissolution is in our best interests, and would not result in a material adverse effect on PGF and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and if the liquidation or dissolution is part of a corporate reorganization of us or PGF’s.

It is possible that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service may deem a merger or other similar transaction to cause for U.S. federal income tax purposes an exchange of debt securities for new securities by the holders of the debt securities. This could result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes and possible other adverse tax consequences.

 

18


Modification and Waiver

There are three types of changes PGF can make to the indenture and the debt securities:

1)    Changes Requiring Holders Approval. There are changes that cannot be made to the debt securities without their holders specific approval. These are the following types of changes:

 

   

change the stated maturity of the principal, interest or premium on a debt security;

 

   

reduce any amounts due on a debt security;

 

   

change any obligation to pay the additional amounts described under “Payment of Additional Amounts”;

 

   

reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a debt security following a default;

 

   

change the place or currency of payment on a debt security;

 

   

impair any of the conversion or exchange rights of the debt security;

 

   

impair the right to sue for payment, conversion or exchange;

 

   

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture;

 

   

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with various provisions of the indenture or to waive specified defaults; and

 

   

modify any other aspect of the provisions dealing with modification and waiver of the indenture.

2)    Changes Requiring a Majority Vote. There are changes that require a vote of approval by the holders of debt securities that together represent a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the particular series affected. Most changes fall into this category, except for clarifying changes, amendments, supplements and other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the debt securities in any material respect. For example, this vote would be required for PGF to obtain a waiver of all or part of any covenants described in an applicable prospectus supplement or a waiver of a past default. However, PGF cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or any other aspect of the indenture or the debt securities listed in the first category described previously beginning above under “Changes Requiring Holders Approval” unless PGF obtains the individual consent by the holders to the waiver.

3)    Changes Not Requiring Approval. There are changes that do not require any vote by holders of debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications or cure of ambiguities, omissions, defects and inconsistencies, amendments, supplements, changes to conform the provisions contained in the indentures to the description of the Notes and applicable guarantees, as well as other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the debt securities in any material respect, such as adding covenants, additional events of default or successor trustees.

Further, when taking a vote, PGF will use the following rules to decide how much principal amount to attribute to a security:

 

   

For original issue discount securities, PGF will use the principal amount that would be due and payable on the voting date if the maturity of the debt securities were accelerated to that date because of a default.

 

   

Debt securities that PGF, any of its affiliates and any other obligor under the debt securities acquire or hold will not be counted as outstanding when determining voting rights.

 

   

For debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), PGF will use a special rule for that security described in the prospectus supplement for that security.

 

   

For debt securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies, PGF will use the U.S. dollar equivalent as of the date on which such debt securities were originally issued.

Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore will not be eligible to vote, if PGF has deposited or sets aside in trust for the holders money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described under “Defeasance and Discharge.”

PGF will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding debt securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. In limited circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If PGF or the Trustee sets a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of a particular series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding debt securities of that series on the record date and must be taken within 180 days following the record date or another period that PGF or, if it sets the record date, the Trustee may specify. PGF may shorten or lengthen (but not beyond 180 days) this period from time to time.

 

19


Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if PGF seeks to change the indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.

Redemption and Repayment

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt security will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund; that is, PGF will not deposit money on a regular basis into any separate custodial account to repay such debt securities.

Except for the Floating Rate Global Notes due 2020, the Notes are subject to redemption at PGF’s option before their respective maturity date in whole or in part, upon not less than 304 but no more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of such Notes and (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis5 (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at, in each case, the Treasury Rate (as such term is defined in the respective Note) plus the following basis points (the “Make Whole Amount”), plus in each case, accrued interest on the principal amount of such Notes to (but not including) the date of redemption:

 

NOTES

   BASIS POINTS

Floating Rate Global Notes due 2020

       N/A

5.375% Global Notes due 2021

       30

8.375% Global Notes due 2021

       50

6.125% Global Notes due 2022

       50

4.375% Global Notes due 2023

       40

6.250% Global Notes due 2024

       25

5.299% Global Notes due 2025

       50

8.750% Global Notes due 2026

       50

7.375% Global Notes due 2027

       50

5.999% Global Notes due 2028

       50

5.750% Global Notes due 2029

       50

6.875% Global Notes due 2040

       40

6.750% Global Notes due 2041

       30

5.625% Global Notes due 2043

       40

7.250% Global Notes due 2044

       50

6.900% Global Notes due 2049

       50

6.850% Global Notes due 2115

       75

Pursuant to the Note issued according to the 2018 Base Indenture, the abovementioned notice may at PGF’s option be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, and it may be rescinded or the applicable redemption date delayed in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the applicable redemption date. Any conditions precedent shall be described in such notice.

In addition, if the applicable prospectus supplement specifies a repayment date, the debt security will be repayable by PGF at the debt holders option on the specified repayment date(s) at the specified repayment price(s), together with interest accrued and any additional amounts to the repayment date6.

If a debt security represented by a global security is subject to repayment at the holder’s option, the depositary or its nominee, as the holder, will be the only person that can exercise the right to repayment. Any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security and wish to exercise a repayment right must give proper and timely instructions to their banks or brokers through which they hold their interests, requesting that they notify the depositary to exercise the repayment right on their behalf. Different firms have different deadlines for accepting instructions from their customers, and the holders shall take care to act promptly enough to ensure that their respective request is given effect by the depositary before the applicable deadline for exercise.

Street name and other indirect holders should contact their banks or brokers for information about how to exercise a repayment right in a timely manner.

 

4 

The 2018 Base Indenture, as amended, provides for 15 days as minimum term.

5 

The 2018 Base Indenture, as amended, as well as 8.375% Global Notes due 2021 provide for an annual basis.

6 

The 2018 Base Indenture, as amended, excludes the repayment date.

 

20


In the event that the option of the holder to elect repayment as described above is deemed to be a “tender offer” within the meaning of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, PGF will comply with Rule 14e-1 as then in effect to the extent it is applicable to PGF and the transaction.

Subject to any restrictions that will be described in the prospectus supplement, PGF or its affiliates may purchase debt securities from investors who are willing to sell from time to time, either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Debt securities that PGF or they purchase may, in PGF’s discretion, be held, resold or canceled.

Optional Tax Redemption

The Notes may also be redeemed at PGF’s option, in whole (but not in part), at any time at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption if as a result of any change in or amendment to the laws or regulations or ruling promulgated thereunder of the jurisdiction in which PGF is incorporated (or, in the case of a successor person to PGF, of the jurisdiction in which such successor person is organized or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) or any change in the official application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings, or any change in the official application of or interpretation of, or any execution of or amendment to, any treaty or treaties affecting taxation to which such jurisdiction or such political subdivision or taxing authority (or such other jurisdiction or political subdivision or taxing authority) is a party, which change, execution or amendment becomes effective on or after the issuance date of the Note (or in the case of a successor person to PGF, the date on which such successor person became such pursuant to Notes’ terms), PGF would be required to pay additional amounts as described later under “Payment of Additional Amounts.”

The eventual reincorporation of PGF shall be treated as the adoption of a successor entity, provided, however, that redemption shall not be available if the reincorporation was performed in anticipation of a change in, execution of or amendment to any laws or treaties or the official application or interpretation of any laws or treaties of such new jurisdiction of incorporation that would result in an obligation to pay additional amounts.

Conversion

None of the Notes are convertible into, or exchangeable for, any other securities.

Payment of Additional Amounts7

Petrobras

Brazil (including any authority therein or thereof having the power to tax) may require us to withhold amounts from payments on the principal or any premium or interest on a debt security for taxes or any other governmental charges. If Brazil requires a withholding of this type, we are required, subject to the exceptions listed below, to pay the debt holders an additional amount so that the net amount they receive will be the amount specified in the debt security to which they are entitled. However, in order for the debt holders to be entitled to receive the additional amount, holders must not be a resident of Brazil.

We will not have to pay additional amounts under any of the following circumstances:

 

   

The withholding is imposed only because the holder has some connection with Brazil other than the mere holding of the debt security or the receipt of the relevant payment in respect of the debt security.

 

   

In our case, the withholding is imposed due to the presentation of a debt security, if presentation is required, for payment on a date more than 30 days after the security became due or after the payment was provided for.

 

   

The amount is required to be deducted or withheld by any paying agent from a payment on or in respect of the debt security, if such payment can be made without such deduction or withholding by any other payment agent and we duly provide for such other paying agent.

 

   

The withholding is on account of an estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax or other governmental charge.

 

   

The withholding is for any taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges that are payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments on the debt security.

 

7 

The 2018 Base Indenture, as amended, does not split this section into two subsections separately addressed to Petrobras and PGF. It only provides for the payment rules described herein as rules applicable to PGF, which are applicable, as the case may be, to us and PGF.

 

21


   

The withholding is imposed or withheld because the holder or beneficial owner failed to comply with any of our requests for the following that the statutes, treaties, regulations or administrative practices of Brazil required as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such withholding:

 

  o

to provide information about the nationality, residence or identity of the holder or beneficial owner; or

 

  o

to make a declaration or satisfy any information requirements.

 

   

The holder is a fiduciary or partnership or other entity that is not the sole beneficial owner of the payment in respect of which the withholding is imposed, and the laws of Brazil require the payment to be included in the income of a beneficiary or settlor of such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or another beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such additional amounts had it been the holder of such debt security.

 

   

Where any additional amounts are imposed on a payment on the debt securities by PGF’s paying agent (that is located in a member state of the European Union) to an individual and is required to be made pursuant to the European Council Directive on the taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments (2003/48/EC) (as amended by European Council Directive 2006/96/EC) or any implementing law, or any law that has been introduced in order to conform to any such Directive, and such holder has not opted to agree to an exchange of information within the meaning of such Directive.

The prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities may describe additional circumstances in which we would not be required to pay additional amounts.

PGF

Except as provided below, PGF will make all payments of amounts due under the Notes and the indentures and each other document entered into in connection with the Notes and the indentures without withholding or deducting any present or future taxes, levies, deductions or other governmental charges of any nature imposed by Brazil, the jurisdiction of PGF’s incorporation (currently, The Netherlands) or any jurisdiction in which PGF appoints a paying agent under the indentures, or any political subdivision of such jurisdictions (the “taxing jurisdictions”). If PGF is required by law to withhold or deduct any taxes, levies, deductions or other governmental charges, PGF will make such deduction or withholding, make payment of the amount so withheld to the appropriate governmental authority and pay the noteholders any additional amounts necessary to ensure that they receive the same amount as they would have received without such withholding or deduction. Pursuant to the 2018 Base Indenture, as amended, the foregoing obligations shall extend to payments under the guaranty. It also establishes that all references to principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of the debt securities will be deemed to refer to any additional amounts which may be payable as set forth in the indenture or in the debt securities.

PGF will not, however, pay any additional amounts in connection with any tax, levy, deduction or other governmental charge that is imposed due to any of the following (“excluded additional amounts”):

 

   

the noteholder has a connection with the taxing jurisdiction other than merely holding the Notes or receiving principal or interest payments on the Notes (such as citizenship, nationality, residence, domicile, or existence of a business, a permanent establishment, a dependent agent, a place of business or a place of management present or deemed present within the taxing jurisdiction);

 

   

any tax imposed on, or measured by, net income;

 

   

the noteholder fails to comply with any certification, identification or other reporting requirements concerning its nationality, residence, identity or connection with the taxing jurisdiction, if (x) such compliance is required by applicable law, regulation, administrative practice or treaty as a precondition to exemption from all or a part of the tax, levy, deduction or other governmental charge, (y) the noteholder is able to comply with such requirements without undue hardship and (z) at least 30 calendar days prior to the first payment date with respect to which such requirements under the applicable law, regulation, administrative practice or treaty will apply, PGF has notified all noteholders that they will be required to comply with such requirements8;

 

   

the noteholder fails to present (where presentation is required) its Note within 30 calendar days after PGF has made available to the noteholder a payment under the Notes and the indenture, provided that PGF will pay additional amounts which a noteholder would have been entitled to had the Note owned by such noteholder been presented on any day (including the last day) within such 30 calendar day period;

 

   

any estate, inheritance, gift, value added, Financial Transactions Tax (“FTT”), if applicable, use or sales taxes or any similar taxes, assessments or other governmental charges;

 

 

8 

The 2018 Base Indenture, as amended, does not include items (y) and (z).

 

22


   

where such taxes, levies, deductions or other governmental charges are imposed on a payment on the Notes by PGF’s paying agent (that is located in another member state of the European Union) to an individual and are required to be made pursuant to the European Council Directive on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments (2003/48/EC) (as amended by the European Council Directive 2006/96/EC), or any implementing law, or any law that has been introduced in order to conform to such Directive, and such noteholder has not opted to agree to an exchange of information within the meaning of such Directive;9

 

   

where the noteholder could have avoided such taxes, levies, deductions or other governmental charges by requesting that a payment on the Notes be made by, or presenting the relevant Notes for payment to, another paying agent of PGF located in a member state of the European Union; or10

 

   

where the noteholder would have been able to avoid the tax, levy, deduction or other governmental charge by taking reasonable measures available to such noteholder.

PGF undertakes that it will ensure that it maintains a paying agent in a member state of the European Union that will not be obliged to withhold or deduct tax pursuant to the European Council Directive 2003/48/EC (as amended by European Council Directive 2006/96/EC). PGF will pay any stamp, administrative, excise or property taxes arising in a taxing jurisdiction in connection with the execution, delivery, enforcement or registration of the Notes and will indemnify the noteholders for any such stamp, administrative, excise or property taxes paid by noteholders.

Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, the 2018 Base Indenture, as amended, sets forth that we or PGF, as applicable, shall indemnify and make whole the holders of the debt securities for any present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies payable by PGF or us that were paid by such holder. All payments in respect of the debt securities will be made subject to any withholding or deduction required pursuant to FATCA, and we will not be required to pay any additional amounts on account of any such deduction or withholding required pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of such code, any regulations thereunder or official interpretations thereof or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto.

Restrictive Covenants

Petrobras

Our indentures do not contain any covenants restricting our ability to make payments, incur indebtedness, dispose of assets, enter into sale and leaseback transactions, issue and sell capital stock, enter into transactions with affiliates, create or incur liens on our property or engage in business other than our present business. Restrictive covenants, if any, with respect to any of our securities will be contained in the applicable supplemental indenture and described in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to those securities.

PGF

PGF will be subject to the following covenants with respect to the Notes:

 

 

Ranking: The Notes are general senior unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of PGF and shall at all times rank pari passu, without any preferences among themselves, and at least equal in right of payment with all of PGF’s other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations from time to time outstanding that are not, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes (other than obligations preferred by statute or by operation of law).

 

 

Statement by Managing Directors as to Default: PGF (and each other obligor on the Notes) will deliver to the Trustee, within 90 calendar days after the end of its fiscal year, a directors’ certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of its signers thereof there is an event of default in connection with the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the indenture or the Notes and, if there is such an event of default by PGF (or any obligor), specifying all such events of default and their nature and status of which the signers may have knowledge.11

 

9 

The 2018 Base Indenture, as amended, does not include this provision.

10 

The 2018 Base Indenture, as amended, does not include this provision.

11 

The 2006 Base Indenture provides for a 10-day period counted from the awareness of the occurrence of any event of default to notify the Trustee accordingly.

 

23


 

Provision of Financial Statements and Reports: In the event that PGF files any financial statements or reports with the SEC or publishes or otherwise makes such statements or reports publicly available in Brazil, the United States or elsewhere, PGF will furnish, a copy of the statements or reports to the Trustee within 15 calendar days of the date of filing or the date the information is published or otherwise made publicly available. As long as the financial statements or reports are publicly available and accessible electronically by the Trustee, the filing or electronic publication of such financial statements or reports complies with PGF’s obligation to deliver such statements and reports to the Trustee. The Trustee does not have an obligation to determine if and when PGF’s financial statements or reports are publicly available and accessible electronically.

Along with each such financial statement or report, if any, PGF will provide a directors’ certificate stating (i) that a review of PGF’s activities has been made during the period covered by such financial statements with a view to determining whether PGF has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its covenants and agreements under the indentures; and (ii) that no event of default, has occurred during that period or, if one or more have actually occurred, specifying all those events and what actions have been taken and will be taken with respect to that event of default.

Delivery of these reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of any of those will not constitute constructive notice of any information contained in them or determinable from information contained in them, including PGF’s compliance with any of its covenants under the indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on directors’ certificates).

Specifically with regard to the 2018 Base Indenture (as amended), it provides that PGF will be also subject to the following covenants:

 

 

Payment of Principal and Interest: PGF will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest and other amounts (including any additional amounts in the event withholding and other taxes are imposed in Brazil or the jurisdiction of incorporation of PGF) on the debt securities of a series in accordance with such securities and the indenture.

 

 

Maintenance of Corporate Existence: PGF will maintain its corporate existence and take all reasonable actions to maintain all rights, privileges and the like necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of business, activities or operations, unless PGF’s board of directors determines that maintaining such rights and privileges is no longer desirable in the conduct of PGF’s business and is not disadvantageous in any material respect to holders.

 

 

Maintenance of Office or Agency: So long as debt securities of a series are outstanding, PGF will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency where notices to and demands upon it in respect of the indenture and the debt securities of a series may be served.

 

 

Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee: PGF, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint a successor trustee in the manner provided in the indenture so that there will at all times be a trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series.

 

 

Payments and Paying Agents: PGF will, prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day preceding any payment date of the principal of or interest on the debt securities of any series or other amounts (including additional amounts), deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay such principal, interest or other amounts (including additional amounts) so becoming due. All payments on the debt securities of any series will be subject in all cases to any applicable tax, fiscal or other laws and regulations in any jurisdictions, but without prejudice to the provisions under “ —Payment of Additional Amounts.” For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the phrase “applicable tax, fiscal or other laws and regulations” will include any obligation to withhold or deduct from a payment pursuant to FATCA.

 

 

Negative Pledge: PGF will not create, incur or assume any lien, other than a PGF Permitted Lien (as such term is defined in the 2018 Base Indenture), on any of its assets to secure (i) any of its indebtedness for borrowed money or (ii) the indebtedness of any other person for borrowed money, unless PGF contemporaneously creates or permits such lien to secure equally and ratably its obligations under the debt securities of a series or PGF provides such other security for the debt securities of a series as is duly approved by a resolution of the holders of such debt securities in accordance with the indenture. In addition, PGF will not allow any of its material subsidiaries, if any, to create or permit any lien, other than a PGF Permitted Lien, on any of its assets to secure (i) any of its indebtedness for borrowed money; (ii) any of the material subsidiary’s indebtedness for borrowed money or (iii) the indebtedness for borrowed money of any other person, unless PGF contemporaneously creates or permits such lien to secure equally and ratably its obligations under the debt securities of any series to which the covenant applies or PGF provides such other security for the debt securities of a series as is duly approved by a resolution of the holders of such debt securities in accordance with the indenture.

Additional restrictive covenants with respect to securities of PGF may be contained in the applicable supplemental indenture and described in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to those securities.

 

24


Defeasance and Discharge

The following discussion of full defeasance and discharge and covenant defeasance and discharge will only be applicable to the holders’ series of debt securities if PGF chooses to apply them to that series, in which case PGF will state that in the prospectus supplement.

Full Defeasance

PGF can legally release itself from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities, except for various obligations described below (called “full defeasance”), if PGF, in addition to other actions, puts in place the following arrangements for the debt holders to be repaid:

 

   

PGF must irrevocably deposit in trust for the benefit of all direct holders of the debt securities a combination of money and non-callable U.S. government or U.S. government agency debt securities or bonds that, in the opinion of a firm of nationally recognized independent public accounts, will generate enough cash without reinvestment to make interest, principal and any other payments, including additional amounts, on the debt securities on their various due dates.

 

   

PGF must deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion of its counsel, based upon a ruling by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or upon a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law, confirming that under then current U.S. federal income tax law PGF may make the above deposit without causing the holders to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if PGF did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves.

 

   

If the debt securities are listed on any securities exchange, PGF must deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion of its counsel confirming that the deposit, defeasance and discharge will not cause the debt securities to be delisted.12

If PGF ever did accomplish full defeasance as described above, the debt holders would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment on the debt securities. The holders could not look to PGF for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of PGF’s lenders and other creditors if PGF ever becomes bankrupt or insolvent. However, even if PGF takes these actions, a number of its obligations relating to the debt securities will remain. These include the following obligations:

 

   

to register the transfer and exchange of debt securities;

 

   

to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities;

 

   

to maintain paying agencies;

 

   

to hold money for payment in trust; and

 

   

to indemnify the Trustee according to the terms of the indenture.13

 

Covenant Defeasance

PGF can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from all or some of the restrictive covenants (if any) that apply to the debt securities of any particular series. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, the debt holders would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, PGF must do the following:

 

   

PGF must irrevocably deposit in trust for the benefit of all direct holders of the debt securities a combination of money and non-callable U.S. government or U.S. government agency debt securities or bonds that, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants, will generate enough cash without reinvestment to make interest, principal and any other payments, including additional amounts, on the debt securities on their various due dates.

 

   

PGF must deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion of its counsel confirming that under then current U.S. federal income tax law PGF may make the above deposit without causing the debt holders to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if PGF did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves.

 

   

If the debt securities are listed on any securities exchange, PGF must deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion of its counsel confirming that the deposit, defeasance and discharge will not cause the debt securities to be delisted.14

 

12 

The 2018 Base Indenture, as amended, does not include this provision.

13 

The 2006 Base Indenture does not include such indemnification provision.

14 

The 2018 Base Indenture, as amended, does not include this provision.

 

25


If PGF accomplishes covenant defeasance, the following provisions of the indentures and/or the debt securities would no longer apply:

 

   

Any covenants applicable to the series of debt securities and described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

   

The events of default relating to breach of those covenants being defeased and acceleration of the maturity of other debt, described later under “Default and Related Matters—Events of Default—What is An Event of Default?”

If PGF accomplishes covenant defeasance, the debt holders can still look to it for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if any event of default occurred (such as bankruptcy) and the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, the debt holders may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

Default and Related Matters

Events of Default

The debt holders will have special rights if an event of default occurs and is not cured, as described herein.

What is an Event of Default? The term event of default means any of the following:

 

   

PGF does not pay the principal or any premium on a debt security of the series within 7 calendar days (or 14 days, depending on the Notes under analysis) of its due date and in the case of PGF, the Trustee has not received such payments from amounts on deposit, from us under a guaranty by the end of that period.

 

   

PGF does not pay interest, including any additional amounts, on a debt security of the series within 30 calendar days of its due date and in the case of PGF, the Trustee has not received such payments from amounts on deposit, from us under a guaranty by the end of that thirty-day period.

 

   

PGF remains in breach of any covenant or any other term in respect of a debt securities of the series issued under the indenture, or in a supplemental indenture, or, if applicable, under a guaranty for 60 calendar days after PGF receives a notice of default stating that PGF is in breach. The notice must be sent by either the Trustee or holders of 25% of the principal amount of debt securities of the affected series.

 

   

In the case of any of convertible securities, PGF remains in default in the conversion of any security of such series for 30 days after PGF receives a notice of default stating that it is in default. The notice must be sent by either the Trustee or the holders of 25% of the principal amount of debt securities of the affected series.

 

   

The maturity of any of our indebtedness, PGF’s indebtedness or a material subsidiary indebtedness, if applicable, in a total aggregate principal amount of US$100,000,000 (or US$200,000,000 depending on the Notes under analysis) or more is accelerated in accordance with the terms of that indebtedness, considering that prepayment or redemption by PGF of any indebtedness is not acceleration for this purpose.

 

   

In our case, if we are adjudicated or found bankrupt or insolvent or we are ordered by a court or pass a resolution to dissolve.

 

   

We, PGF or any material subsidiary stop paying or is generally unable to pay the debts as they become due, except in the case of a winding-up, dissolution or liquidation for the purpose of and followed by a consolidation, spin-off15, merger, conveyance or transfer duly approved by the debt security holders.

 

   

In the case of PGF, if proceedings are initiated against it under any applicable liquidation, insolvency, composition, reorganization, winding up or any other similar laws, or under any other law for the relief of, or relating to, debtors, and such proceeding is not dismissed or stayed within 90 calendar days.

 

   

An administrative or other receiver, manager or administrator, or any such or other similar official is appointed in relation to, or a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other process is levied or put in force against, the whole or a substantial part of PGF’s undertakings or assets and is not discharged or removed within 90 calendar days.

 

   

We, PGF or any material subsidiary voluntarily commence proceedings under any applicable liquidation, insolvency, composition, reorganization or any other similar laws, or we, PGF or any material subsidiary enter into any composition or other similar arrangement with the creditors under applicable Brazilian law (such as a recuperação judicial or extrajudicial, which is a type of liquidation agreement).

 

15 

The 2006 Base Indenture does not include spin-off as an corporate reorganization event.

 

26


   

We, PGF or any material subsidiary file an application for the appointment of an administrative or other receiver, manager or administrator, or any such or other similar official, in relation to us, PGF or any material subsidiary, or we, PGF or any material subsidiary take legal action for a readjustment or deferment of any part of our indebtedness.

 

   

An effective resolution is passed for, or any authorized action is taken by any court of competent jurisdiction, directing PGF’s winding-up16, dissolution or liquidation, except for the purpose of and followed by a consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer duly approved by the debt security holders.

 

   

In the case of PGF, if any event occurs that under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction has substantially the same effect as the events referred to in the six immediately preceding paragraphs.

 

   

In the case of PGF, if the relevant indenture for the debt securities or our related guarantees, in whole or in part, ceases to be in full force or enforceable against it, or it becomes unlawful for PGF to perform any material obligation under the indenture, or it contests the enforceability of or deny its liability under the indenture.

 

   

In the case of PGF, if we fail to retain at least 51% direct or indirect ownership of PGF’s outstanding voting and economic interests, equity or otherwise.

 

   

Any other event of default described in the applicable prospectus supplement occurs.

The 2006 Base Indenture also consider as ‘Event of Default’ in case of PifCo (succeed by PGF), one or more final and non-appealable judgments or final decrees is entered against it involving an aggregate liability (not paid or not fully covered by insurance) valued at the equivalent of US$100,000,000 or more, where such judgments or final decrees have not been vacated, discharged or stayed within 120 calendar days after first being rendered.

For these purposes, “indebtedness” means any obligation (whether present or future, actual or contingent and including any guaranty) for the payment or repayment of money which has been borrowed or raised (including money raised by acceptances and all leases which, under IFRS, would be a capital lease obligation).

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indentures, although the default and acceleration of one series of debt securities may trigger a default and acceleration of another series of debt securities.

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs. If an event of default has occurred and has not been cured, the Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. If an event of default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or an equivalent proceeding under the applicable law, the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series will be automatically accelerated without any action by the Trustee, any holder or any other person. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series.

Except in cases of default, where the Trustee has some special duties, the Trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the Trustee satisfactory security or indemnity from expenses and liability. If satisfactory indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the Trustee. These same holders may also direct the Trustee in performing any other action under the indentures. Before the holders bypass the Trustee and bring their own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce their rights or protect the interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

 

   

The debt holders must give the Trustee written notice that an event of default has occurred and remains uncured.

 

   

The holders of 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the Trustee take action because of the default, and must offer satisfactory indemnity or security to the Trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action.

 

   

The Trustee must have not taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity or security.

 

   

The holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must not have given the Trustee a direction during the sixty-day period that is inconsistent with the above notice.

 

16 

The 2006 Base Indenture does not include winding up events.

 

27


However, debt holders are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on their debt security on or after its due date and if the debt security is convertible or exchangeable into another security to bring a lawsuit for the enforcement of holders right to convert or exchange the debt security or to receive securities upon conversion or exchange.

Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the Trustee and to make or cancel a declaration of acceleration.

PGF will furnish to the Trustee within 90 days after the end of PGF’s fiscal year every year a written statement of certain of its officers that will either certify that, to the best of their knowledge, PGF is in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities or specify any default.17

Regarding the Trustee

PGF and some of its subsidiaries maintain banking relations with the Trustee in the ordinary course of their business.

If an event of default occurs, or an event occurs that would be an event of default if the requirements for giving PGF default notice or PGF’s default having to exist for a specified period of time were disregarded, the Trustee may be considered to have a conflicting interest with respect to the debt securities or the indenture for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. In that case, the Trustee may be required to resign as trustee under the applicable indenture and PGF would be required to appoint a successor trustee.

Guaranty

When PGF sells a series of its debt securities, we execute and deliver a full and unconditional guaranty of that series of debt securities for the benefit of the holders of that series of debt securities. Our obligations under the guaranties are absolute and unconditional regardless of any law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of any debt holder under our Notes or the indentures. This summary is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of such guaranty.

Pursuant to our guaranties, we agree, from time to time upon the receipt of notice from the Trustee that PGF has failed to make the required payments under a series of debt securities and the PGF indentures, to indemnify the debt holders for unpaid claims against PGF, whether those claims are in respect of principal, interest or any other amounts. The amount to be paid by us under the guaranty will be an amount equal to the amount of those claims plus interest and any applicable premium and additional amounts thereon from the date PGF was otherwise obligated to make its payments under the indentures to the date we actually make the payment under the guaranty.

We are obligated to make these payments by the expiration of any applicable grace periods under the indentures and the applicable terms of the debt securities. We may have the right to defer our obligation under the guaranty to make payments under certain circumstances described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Only one guaranty will be issued by us in connection with the issuance of a series of debt securities by PGF. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, The Bank of New York Mellon will act as guaranty trustee under each guaranty.

Except as otherwise permitted by the guaranty, we have to maintain in effect our corporate existence and to take all actions to maintain all rights, privileges, titles to property, franchises, concessions and the like necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of our business, activities or operations.

As long as the Notes are outstanding, we will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where notices to and demands upon we in respect of the guaranty may be served.

We will ensure at all times that our obligations under the guaranty will constitute our general, senior, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank pari passu, without any preferences among themselves, with all other present and future senior unsecured and unsubordinated obligations (other than obligations preferred by statute or by operation of law) that are not, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to our obligations under the guaranty.

 

17 

The 2006 Base Indenture provides for a 15-day period counted from the awareness of the occurrence of any event of default to notify the Trustee accordingly.

 

28


We are not allowed to create or permit any lien, other than a permitted lien established in the guaranty, on any of our assets and our material subsidiaries’ assets to secure (i) any of our indebtedness or (ii) the indebtedness of any other person, unless we contemporaneously create or permit such lien to secure equally and ratably our obligations under the guaranty or we provide such other security for the Notes as duly approved by the Trustee, at the direction of the debt holders, in accordance with the indentures.

The guaranty shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

29

Exhibit 2.10

 

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LOGO

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

PARTIES

     1  

RECITALS

     1  

Section 1.   Certain Definitions

     1  

(a)   ADR Register

     1  

(b)   ADRs; Direct Registration ADRs

     1  

(c)   ADS

     1  

(d)   Beneficial Owner

     1  

(e)   Custodian

     1  

(f)   Deliver, execute, issue et al.

     1  

(g)   Delivery Order

     2  

(h)   Deposited Securities

     2  

(i) Direct Registration System

     2  

(j) Holder

     2  

(k)   Securities Act of 1933

     2  

(l) Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     2  

(m) Shares

     2  

(n)   Transfer Office

     2  

(o)   Withdrawal Order

     2  

Section 2.   Form of ADRs

     2  

Section 3.   Deposit of Shares

     3  

Section 4.   Issue of ADRs

     4  

Section  5.   Distributions on Deposited Securities

     4  

Section  6.   Withdrawal of Deposited Securities

     4  

Section 7.   Substitution of ADRs

     4  

Section  8.   Cancellation and Destruction of ADRs; Maintenance of Records

     5  

Section 9.   The Custodian

     5  

Section 10.  Lists of Holders

     5  

Section 11.  Depositary’s Agents

     5  

Section  12.  Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary

     5  

Section 13.  Reports

     6  

Section 14.  Additional Shares

     6  

Section 15.  Indemnification

     7  

Section 16.  Notices

     8  

Section 17.  Counterparts

     8  

Section  18.  No Third-Party Beneficiaries; Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect

     8  

Section 19.  Severability

     8  

Section 20.  Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction

     9  

Section 21.  Agent for Service

     9  

Section 22.  Waiver of Immunities

     10  

Section 23.  Waiver of Jury Trial

     10  

Section 24.  Selection Process

     10  

Section  25.  Amendment and Restatement of Prior Deposit Agreement

     10  

TESTIMONIUM

     11  

SIGNATURES

     11  

 

 

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     Page  
EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF FACE OF ADR

     A-1  

Introductory Paragraph

     A-1  

(1)   Issuance of ADSs

     A-2  

(2)   Withdrawal of Deposited Securities

     A-3  

(3)   Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of ADRs

     A-3  

(4)   Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc.

     A-4  

(5)   Liability for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges

     A-4  

(6)   Disclosure of Interests

     A-5  

(7)   Charges of Depositary

     A-5  

(8)   Available Information

     A-7  

(9)   Execution

     A-7  

Signature of Depositary

     A-7  

Address of Depositary’s Office

     A-7  

FORM OF REVERSE OF ADR

     A-8  

(10)  Distributions on Deposited Securities

     A-8  

(11)  Record Dates

     A-10  

(12)  Voting of Deposited Securities

     A-10  

(13)  Changes Affecting Deposited Securities

     A-12  

(14)  Exoneration

     A-13  

(15)  Resignation and Removal of Depositary; the Custodian

     A-16  

(16)  Amendment

     A-17  

(17)  Termination

     A-18  

(18)  Appointment; Acknowledgements and Agreements

     A-19  

(19)  Waiver

     A-19  

 

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Further AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of January 2, 2020 (the “Deposit Agreement”) among PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS and its successors (the “Company”), JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as depositary hereunder (the “Depositary”), and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder (“ADRs”) evidencing American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) representing deposited Shares (defined below). The Company hereby appoints the Depositary as depositary for the Deposited Securities and hereby authorizes and directs the Depositary to act in accordance with the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement. All capitalized terms used herein have the meanings ascribed to them in Section 1 or elsewhere in this Deposit Agreement.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon entered into an Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 3, 2012 (the “Prior Deposit Agreement”) for the purposes set forth therein, for the creation of American depositary shares representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American depositary receipts (“Prior Receipts”) evidencing the American depositary shares;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Prior Deposit Agreement, the Company has removed The Bank of New York Mellon as depositary and has appointed JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as successor depositary thereunder;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Prior Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary wish to amend and restate the Prior Deposit Agreement and the Prior Receipts;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, subject to Section 24 hereof, the parties hereto hereby amend and restate the Prior Deposit Agreement and the Prior Receipts in their entirety as follows:

1. Certain Definitions.

(a) “ADR Register” is defined in paragraph (3)  of the form of ADR (Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of ADRs).

(b) “ADRs” mean the American Depositary Receipts executed and delivered hereunder. ADRs may be either in physical certificated form or Direct Registration ADRs (as hereinafter defined). ADRs in physical certificated form, and the terms and conditions governing the Direct Registration ADRs, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed hereto (the “form of ADR”). The term “Direct Registration ADR” means an ADR, the ownership of which is recorded on the Direct Registration System. References to “ADRs” shall include certificated ADRs and Direct Registration ADRs, unless the context otherwise requires. The form of ADR is hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof; the provisions of the form of ADR shall be binding upon the parties hereto.

(c) Subject to paragraph (13) of the form of ADR, (Changes Affecting Deposited Securities) each “ADS” evidenced by an ADR represents the right to receive, and to exercise the beneficial ownership interests in, the number of Shares specified in the form of ADR attached hereto as Exhibit A (as amended from time to time) that are on deposit with the Depositary and/or the Custodian and a pro rata share in any other Deposited Securities, subject, in each case, to the terms of this Deposit Agreement and the ADSs. The ADS(s)-to-Share(s) ratio is subject to amendment as provided in the form of ADR (which may give rise to fees contemplated in paragraph (7) thereof).

(d) “Beneficial Owner” means as to any ADS, any person or entity having a beneficial ownership interest in such ADS. A Beneficial Owner need not be the Holder of the ADR evidencing such ADS. If a Beneficial Owner of ADSs is not a Holder, it must rely on the Holder of the ADR(s) evidencing such ADSs in order to assert any rights or receive any benefits under this Deposit Agreement. The arrangements between a Beneficial Owner of ADSs and the Holder of the corresponding ADRs may affect the Beneficial Owner’s ability to exercise any rights it may have.

(e) “Custodian” means the agent or agents of the Depositary (singly or collectively, as the context requires) and any additional or substitute Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 9.

(f) The terms “deliver”, “execute”, “issue”, “register”, “surrender”, “transfer” or “cancel”, when used with respect to Direct Registration ADRs, shall refer to an entry or entries or an electronic transfer or transfers in the Direct Registration System, and, when used with respect to ADRs in physical certificated form, shall refer to the physical delivery, execution, issuance, registration, surrender, transfer or cancellation of certificates representing the ADRs.

 

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(g) “Delivery Order” is defined in Section 3.

(h) “Deposited Securities” as of any time means all Shares at such time deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other Shares, securities, property and cash at such time held by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect or in lieu of such deposited Shares and other Shares, securities, property and cash. Deposited Securities are not intended to, and shall not, constitute proprietary assets of the Depositary, the Custodian or their nominees. Beneficial ownership in Deposited Securities is intended to be, and shall at all times during the term of the Deposit Agreement continue to be, vested in the Beneficial Owners of the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities.

(i) “Direct Registration System” means the system for the uncertificated registration of ownership of securities established by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and utilized by the Depositary pursuant to which the Depositary may record the ownership of ADRs without the issuance of a certificate, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Depositary to the Holders entitled thereto. For purposes hereof, the Direct Registration System shall include access to the Profile Modification System maintained by DTC which provides for automated transfer of ownership between DTC and the Depositary.

(j) “Holder” means the person or persons in whose name an ADR is registered on the ADR Register. For all purposes under the Deposit Agreement and the ADRs, a Holder shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on behalf of any and all Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by the ADR(s) registered in such Holder’s name.

(k) “Securities Act of 1933” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.

(l) “Securities Exchange Act of 1934” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time amended.

(m) “Shares” mean the common shares of the Company, and shall include the rights to receive Shares specified in paragraph (1)  of the form of ADR (Issuance of ADSs).

(n) “Transfer Office” is defined in paragraph (3) of the form of ADR (Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of ADRs).

(o) “Withdrawal Order” is defined in Section 6.

2. Form of ADRs.

(a) Direct Registration ADRs. Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement or in the form of ADR to the contrary, ADSs shall be evidenced by Direct Registration ADRs, unless certificated ADRs are specifically requested by the Holder.

(b) Certificated ADRs. ADRs in certificated form shall be printed or otherwise reproduced at the discretion of the Depositary in accordance with its customary practices in its American depositary receipt business, or at the request of the Company typewritten and photocopied on plain or safety paper, and shall be substantially in the form set forth in the form of ADR, with such changes as may be required by the Depositary or the Company to comply with their obligations hereunder, any applicable law, regulation or usage or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular ADRs are subject. ADRs may be issued in denominations of any number of ADSs. ADRs in certificated form shall be executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary (other than an ADR issued and outstanding as of the date hereof under the terms of the Prior Deposit Agreement which has become subject to the terms of this Deposit Agreement in all respects). ADRs in certificated form bearing the facsimile signature of anyone who was at the time of execution a duly authorized officer of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such officer has ceased to hold such office prior to the delivery of such ADRs.

(c) Binding Effect. Holders of ADRs, and the Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by such ADRs, shall each be bound by the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and of the form of ADR, regardless of whether such ADRs are Direct Registration ADRs or certificated ADRs.

 

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3. Deposit of Shares.

(a) Requirements. In connection with the deposit of Shares hereunder, the Depositary or the Custodian may require the following in a form satisfactory to it:

(i) a written order directing the Depositary to issue to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons designated in such order a Direct Registration ADR or ADRs evidencing the number of ADSs representing such deposited Shares (a “Delivery Order”);

(ii) proper endorsements or duly executed instruments of transfer in respect of such deposited Shares;

(iii) instruments assigning to the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either any distribution on or in respect of such deposited Shares or indemnity therefor; and

(iv) proxies entitling the Custodian to vote such deposited Shares.

(b) Registration of Deposited Securities. As soon as practicable after the Custodian receives Deposited Securities pursuant to any such deposit or pursuant to paragraph (10) (Distributions on Deposited Securities) or (13) (Changes Affecting Deposited Securities) of the form of ADR, the Custodian shall present such Deposited Securities for registration of transfer into the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either, in each case for the benefit of Holders, to the extent such registration is practicable, at the cost and expense of the person making such deposit (or for whose benefit such deposit is made) and shall obtain evidence satisfactory to it of such registration. Deposited Securities shall be held by the Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary for the benefit of Holders of ADRs (to the extent not prohibited by law) at such place or places and in such manner as the Depositary shall determine. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, in the form of ADR and/or any outstanding ADSs, the Depositary, the Custodian and their respective nominees are intended to be, and shall at all times during the term of the Deposit Agreement be, the record holder(s) only of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs for the benefit of the Holders. The Depositary, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Custodian and their respective nominees, disclaims any beneficial ownership interest in the Deposited Securities held on behalf of the Holders.

(c) Delivery of Deposited Securities. Deposited Securities may be delivered by the Custodian to any person only under the circumstances expressly contemplated in this Deposit Agreement. To the extent that the provisions of or governing the Shares make delivery of certificates therefor impracticable, Shares may be deposited hereunder by such delivery thereof as the Depositary or the Custodian may reasonably accept, including, without limitation, by causing them to be credited to an account maintained by the Custodian for such purpose with the Company or an accredited intermediary, such as a bank, acting as a registrar for the Shares, together with delivery of the documents, payments and Delivery Order referred to herein to the Custodian or the Depositary.

(d) For as long as they are acting hereunder, the Depositary, the Custodian and the Company agree to comply with the Federative Republic of Brazil’s (“Brazil”) National Monetary Council (Conselho Monetário Nacional) Resolution No. 4,373, dated as of September 29, 2014, in the third article, paragraph three, of the Regulation Annex V, and agree to furnish to the Brazilian Central Bank (Banco Central do Brasil, or the “Central Bank”) and the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários, or the “CVM”), whenever required, information or documents related to the ADRs and this Deposit Agreement, the Deposited Securities and distributions thereon. The Depositary and the Custodian are hereby authorized to release such information or documents and any other information as required by local regulation, law or regulatory body request. In the event that the Depositary or the Custodian shall be advised in writing by reputable independent Brazilian counsel that the Depositary or the Custodian reasonably could be subject to criminal, or material, as reasonably determined by the Depositary, civil liabilities as a result of the Company having failed to provide such information or documents reasonably available only through the Company, the Depositary shall have the right to terminate this Deposit Agreement, upon at least 45 days’ (or such lesser period as to ensure that the Depositary is not subject to criminal or material civil liabilities) prior written notice to the Holders and the Company. The effect of any such termination of this Deposit Agreement shall be as provided in paragraph (17) of the form of ADR.

 

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4. Issue of ADRs. After any deposit of Shares hereunder, the Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and of the information contained in any related Delivery Order by letter, first class airmail postage prepaid, or, at the request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by SWIFT, cable, telex, electronic or facsimile transmission. After receiving such notice from the Custodian, the Depositary, subject to this Deposit Agreement, shall properly issue at the Transfer Office, to or upon the order of any person named in such notice, an ADR or ADRs registered as requested and evidencing the aggregate ADSs to which such person is entitled.

5. Distributions on Deposited Securities. To the extent that the Depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution pursuant to paragraph (10) of the form of ADR (Distributions on Deposited Securities) is not practicable with respect to any Holder, the Depositary may, after consultation with the Company (to the extent reasonably practicable), make such distribution as it so deems practicable, including the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property (or appropriate documents evidencing the right to receive foreign currency, securities or property) or the retention thereof as Deposited Securities with respect to such Holder’s ADRs (without liability for interest thereon or the investment thereof). If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its reasonable judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary is not convertible on a reasonable basis into U.S. dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any governmental authority or agency thereof that is required for such conversion is not sought or, if sought, denied, the Depositary may, subject to applicable laws and regulations, either distribute the foreign currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign currency) to, or hold such foreign currency (without liability for interest thereon) for the respective accounts of, the Holders entitled to receive the same; provided, however, that if requested in writing by a Holder entitled thereto, the Depositary may, in its reasonable discretion, distribute the foreign currency, as promptly as practicable. If any such conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, can be effected for distribution to some but not all of the Holders entitled thereto, the Depositary shall make such conversion and distribution in U.S. dollars to the extent permissible to the Holders entitled thereto and may either so distribute or hold such balance (without liability for interest thereon) for the respective accounts of, the Holders entitled thereto for whom such conversion and distribution is not reasonably practicable; provided, however, that if requested in writing by a Holder entitled thereto and permitted by applicable law, the Depositary may, in its discretion, distribute the foreign currency, as promptly as practicable. To the extent the Depositary holds foreign currency, any and all costs and expenses related to, or arising from, the holding of such foreign currency shall be paid from such foreign currency thereby reducing the amount so held hereunder.

6. Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. In connection with any surrender of an ADR for withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced thereby, the Depositary may require proper endorsement in blank of such ADR (or duly executed instruments of transfer thereof in blank) and the Holder’s written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such ADR to be withdrawn and delivered to, or upon the written order of, any person designated in such order (a “Withdrawal Order”). Directions from the Depositary to the Custodian to deliver Deposited Securities shall be given by letter, first class airmail postage prepaid, or, at the request, risk and expense of the person surrendering ADSs, by SWIFT, cable, telex, electronic or facsimile transmission. Delivery of Deposited Securities may be made by the physical delivery of certificates (which, if required by law shall be properly endorsed or accompanied by properly executed instruments of transfer or, if such certificates may be registered, registered in the name of such Holder or as ordered by such Holder in any Withdrawal Order), book-entry transfer of the Deposited Securities to an account maintained by an institution authorized under applicable law to effect transfers of such securities designated by the person entitled to that delivery, or by such other means as the Depositary may deem practicable, including, without limitation, by transfer of record ownership thereof to an account designated in the Withdrawal Order maintained either by the Company or an accredited intermediary, such as a bank, acting as a registrar for the Deposited Securities.

7. Substitution of ADRs. The Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Direct Registration ADR in exchange and substitution for any mutilated certificated ADR upon cancellation thereof or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen certificated ADR, unless the Depositary has notice that such ADR has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, upon the Holder thereof filing with the Depositary a request for such execution and delivery and a sufficient indemnity bond and satisfying any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.

 

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8. Cancellation and Destruction of ADRs; Maintenance of Records. All ADRs surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy ADRs in certificated form so cancelled in accordance with its customary practices. The Depositary, however, shall maintain or cause its agents to maintain records of all ADRs surrendered and Deposited Securities withdrawn under Section 6 hereof and paragraph (2) of the form of ADR, substitute ADRs delivered under Section 7 hereof, and canceled or destroyed ADRs under this Section 8, in keeping with the procedures ordinarily followed by stock transfer agents located in the United States or as required by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary.

9. The Custodian.

(a) Rights of the Depositary. Any Custodian in acting hereunder shall be subject to the directions of the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. The Depositary reserves the right to add, replace or remove a Custodian. The Depositary will give prompt notice of any such action, which will be advance notice if practicable. The Depositary may discharge any Custodian at any time upon notice to the Custodian being discharged. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the appropriate Brazilian approvals, however, no more than one Custodian shall serve hereunder at any given time.

(b) Rights of the Custodian. Any Custodian may resign from its duties hereunder by providing at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Depositary. The Depositary shall, promptly after receiving such notice, endeavor to appoint a substitute custodian in accordance with clause (a) above, which shall thereafter be the Custodian hereunder. The Depositary shall take steps to ensure that any Custodian ceasing to act hereunder as Custodian shall deliver, upon the instruction of the Depositary, all Deposited Securities held by it to a Custodian continuing to act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Deposit Agreement (including the ADRs) and, subject to the further limitations set forth in subparagraph (q) of paragraph (14) of the form of ADR (Exoneration), the Depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, any act or omission to act on the part of the Custodian except to the extent that any Holder has incurred liability directly as a result of the Custodian having (i) committed fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services to the Depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to the Depositary as determined in accordance with the standards prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the Custodian is located.

10. Lists of Holders. The Company shall have the right to inspect transfer records of the Depositary and its agents and the ADR Register, take copies thereof and require the Depositary and its agents to supply copies of such portions of such records as the Company may request. The Depositary or its agent shall furnish to the Company promptly upon the written request of the Company, a list of the names, addresses and holdings of ADSs by all Holders as of a date within seven days of the Depositary’s receipt of such request.

11. Depositary’s Agents. The Depositary may perform its obligations under this Deposit Agreement through any agent appointed by it, provided that the Depositary shall notify the Company of such appointment and shall remain responsible for the performance of such obligations as if no agent were appointed, subject to paragraph (14) of the form of ADR (Exoneration).

12. Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary.

Subject in all cases to the Depositary’s rights under paragraph (17) of the form of ADR (Termination):

(a) Resignation of the Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election to do so delivered to the Company, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.

(b) Removal of the Depositary. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by providing no less than 60 days’ prior written notice of such removal to the Depositary, such removal to take effect the later of (i) the 60th day after such notice of removal is first provided and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.

 

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(c) Appointment of Successor Depositary. In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, only upon payment of all sums due to it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than its rights to indemnification and fees owing, each of which shall survive any such removal and/or resignation), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor (including all right, title and interest to any and all dividends and other distributions previously declared upon such Deposited Securities and the records related thereto necessary to enable the successor to make payment thereof to current or former Holders, as the case may be) and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding ADRs. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders. Any bank or trust company into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated, or to which the Depositary shall transfer substantially all its American depositary receipt business, shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.

13. Reports. On or before the first date on which the Company makes any communication available to holders of Deposited Securities or any securities regulatory authority or stock exchange, by publication or otherwise, that reasonably could require the Depositary to take, or plan to take, action under this Deposit Agreement (for example, but not by way of limitation, voting, distributions etc.), the Company shall transmit to the Depositary a copy thereof in English or with an English translation or summary. The Company has delivered to the Depositary, the Custodian and any Transfer Office, a copy of all provisions of or governing the Shares and any other Deposited Securities issued by the Company and, promptly upon any change thereto, the Company shall deliver to the Depositary, the Custodian and any Transfer Office, a copy (in English or with an English translation) of such provisions as so changed. The Depositary and its agents may rely upon the Company’s delivery of all such communications, information and provisions for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement and the Depositary shall have no liability for the accuracy or completeness of any thereof.

14. Additional Shares. The Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company nor any company controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company shall (a) issue (i) additional Shares, (ii) rights to subscribe for Shares, (iii) securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or (iv) rights to subscribe for any such securities or (b) deposit any Shares under this Deposit Agreement, except, in each case, under circumstances complying in all respects with the Securities Act of 1933 or by relying on an available exception thereunder. In the event of any issuance of additional securities the Company shall have no obligation to register such additional securities under the Securities Act of 1933 and, in lieu thereof, may rely on one or more exemptions from such registration. At the reasonable request of the Depositary where it deems necessary in the case of any issuance, subscription, conversion, exchange or deposit, the Company will furnish the Depositary with legal opinions, in forms and from counsels reasonably acceptable to the Depositary, dealing with such issues requested by the Depositary. The Depositary will not knowingly accept for deposit hereunder any Shares required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 unless a registration statement is in effect and will use reasonable efforts to comply with written instructions of the Company not to accept for deposit hereunder any Shares identified in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with the requirements of the laws, rules and regulations of Brazil and the United States, including, but not limited to, the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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15. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall indemnify, defend and save harmless each of the Depositary, the Custodian and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates against any loss, liability or expense (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which may arise out of acts performed or omitted, in connection with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and of the ADRs, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance herewith (i) by either the Depositary or a Custodian or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates; provided, however, no party seeking indemnification from the Company pursuant to this subsection (a) shall be entitled thereto to the extent the loss, liability or expense for which indemnification is to be sought directly arose out of the negligence or willful misconduct of such party acting hereunder in its capacity as Depositary, Custodian, or as a director, officer, employee, agent or affiliate of either of them (as applicable), or (ii) by the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates.

The indemnities set forth in the preceding paragraph shall also apply to any liability or expense which may arise out of any misstatement or alleged misstatement or omission or alleged omission in any registration statement, proxy statement, prospectus (or placement memorandum), or preliminary prospectus (or preliminary placement memorandum) relating to the offer, issuance, withdrawal or sale of ADSs or the deposit of Shares in connection therewith, except to the extent any such liability or expense arises out of (i) information relating to the Depositary or its agents (other than the Company), as applicable, furnished in writing by the Depositary expressly for use in any of the foregoing documents and not changed or altered by the Company or any other person (other than the Depositary) or (ii) if such information is provided, the failure to state a material fact therein necessary to make the information provided, in light of the circumstance under which provided, not misleading.

(b) Indemnification by the Depositary. Subject to the limitations provided for in Section 15(c) below, the Depositary shall indemnify, defend and save harmless. (i) the Company and (ii) the Company’s directors, officers, employees and affiliates, in each case acting hereunder in their capacities as such on the Company’s behalf under this Deposit Agreement, against any direct loss, liability or expense (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Company in respect of this Deposit Agreement to the extent such loss, liability or expense is due to the negligence or willful misconduct of the Depositary.

(c) Special Damages or Lost Profits Notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement or the ADRs to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Depositary, nor any of their agents shall be liable to the other for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (excluding reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) or lost profits (collectively “Special Damages”) of any form incurred by any of them or any other person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought; provided, however, that to the extent Special Damages arise from or out of a claim brought by a third party (other than the Custodian and its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates), Holder(s) or Beneficial Owners against the Depositary or any of its agents acting under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary and its agents shall be entitled to full indemnification from the Company for all such Special Damages, unless such Special Damages are found to have been a direct result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Depositary.

 

 

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(d)    Any person seeking indemnification hereunder (an “indemnified person”) shall notify the person from whom it is seeking indemnification (the “indemnifying person”) of the commencement of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such indemnified person becomes aware of such commencement (provided that the failure to make such notification shall not affect such indemnified person’s rights except and only to the limited extent the indemnifying person is materially prejudiced by such failure) and shall consult in good faith with the indemnifying person as to the conduct of the defense of such action or claim, which shall be reasonable in the circumstances. No indemnified person shall compromise or settle any indemnifiable action or claim without the prior written consent of the indemnifying person (which consent shall not be unreasonably (from the point of view of the person seeking indemnification)) withheld or delayed unless (i) there is no finding or admission of any violation of law and no effect on any other claims that may be made against such indemnifying person and (ii) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the indemnified person (without indemnification hereunder by the indemnifying person) seeking such compromise or settlement.

(e)    Survival. The obligations set forth in this Section 15 shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement and the succession or substitution of any indemnified person.

16.    Notices.

(a)    Notice to Holders. Notice to any Holder shall be deemed given when first mailed, first class postage prepaid, to the address of such Holder on the ADR Register or received by such Holder. Failure to notify a Holder or any defect in the notification to a Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of notification to other Holders or to the Beneficial Owners of ADSs evidenced by ADRs held by such other Holders. The Depositary’s only notification obligations under this Deposit Agreement and the ADRs shall be to Holders. Notice to a Holder shall be deemed, for all purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the ADRs, to constitute notice to any and all Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by such Holder’s ADRs.

(b)     Notice to the Depositary or the Company. Notice to the Depositary or the Company shall be deemed given when first received by it at the address or facsimile transmission number set forth in (i) or (ii), respectively, or at such other address or facsimile transmission number as either may specify to the other by written notice:

 

  (i)

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11

New York, New York, 10179

Attention: Depositary Receipts Group

Fax: (302) 220-4591

 

  (ii)

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras

Avenida República do Chile, 65

20031-912 – Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil

Attention: Investor Relations Department

Phone: 55 21 3224 1510

17.    Counterparts. This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Deposit Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including “.pdf”, “.tif” or similar format) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

18.    No Third-Party Beneficiaries; Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect. This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the Company, the Depositary, the Holders, and their respective successors hereunder, and, except to the extent specifically set forth in Section 15 of this Deposit Agreement, shall not give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person. The Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time shall be parties to this Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the provisions hereof. A Beneficial Owner shall only be able to exercise any right or receive any benefit hereunder solely through the Holder of the ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs owned by such Beneficial Owner.

19.    Severability. If any provision of this Deposit Agreement or the ADRs is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall in no way be affected thereby.

 

 

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20.    Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.

(a)    The Deposit Agreement, the ADSs and the ADRs shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the application of the conflict of law principles thereof.

(b)    By the Company. The Company irrevocably agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding against the Company brought by the Depositary or any Holder or Beneficial Owner, arising out of or based upon this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, may be instituted in any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York, and irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The Company also irrevocably agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding against the Depositary brought by the Company, arising out of or based upon this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs, the ADRs or the transactions contemplated herein, therein or hereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York.

(c)    By Holders and Beneficial Owners. By holding an ADS or an interest therein, Holders and Beneficial Owners each irrevocably agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving the Company or the Depositary, arising out of or based upon this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs, the ADRs or the transactions contemplated herein, therein or hereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York, and by holding an ADS or an interest therein each irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any suit, action or proceeding against the Company based on this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, may be instituted by the Depositary in any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York or, in the case of a suit, action or proceeding to enforce a New York based state or federal court ruling, order or judgement, in any competent court in the Federative Republic of Brazil and/or the United States.

21.    Agent for Service.

(a)    Appointment. The Company has appointed Petrobras America Inc, located at 10350 Richmond Ave., Suite 1400, Houston, Texas 77042 as its authorized agent (the “Authorized Agent”) upon which process may be served in any such suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based on this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs, the ADRs or the transactions contemplated herein, therein or hereby which may be instituted in any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York by the Depositary or any Holder, and waives any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. Subject to the Company’s rights to replace the Authorized Agent with another entity with, and at, an office in the United States, such appointment shall be irrevocable.

(b)    Agent for Service of Process. The Company represents and warrants that the Authorized Agent has agreed to act as said agent for service of process, and the Company agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid. The Company further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents in any suit, action or proceeding against the Company, by service by mail of a copy thereof upon the Authorized Agent (whether or not the appointment of such Authorized Agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such Authorized Agent shall fail to accept or acknowledge such service), with a copy mailed to the Company by registered or certified air mail, postage prepaid, to its address provided in Section 16(b) hereof. The Company agrees that the failure of the Authorized Agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any suit, action or proceeding based thereon. If, for any reason, the Authorized Agent named above or its successor shall no longer serve as agent of the Company to receive service of process, summons, notices and documents , the Company shall promptly appoint a successor that is a legal entity with offices in the United States so as to serve and will promptly advise the Depositary thereof.

 

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(c)    Waiver of Personal Service of Process. In the event the Company fails to continue such designation and appointment in full force and effect, the Company, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, hereby waives personal service of process upon it and consents that any such service of process may be made by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, directed to the Company at its address last specified for notices hereunder, and service so made shall be deemed completed five (5) days after the same shall have been so mailed.

22.    Waiver of Immunities. To the extent that the Company or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to, or have attributed to it, any right of immunity, on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise, from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any respect thereof, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from service of process, from attachment upon or prior to judgment, from attachment in aid of execution or judgment, or from execution of judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, in any jurisdiction in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or other matters under or arising out of or in connection with the Shares or Deposited Securities, the ADSs, the ADRs or this Deposit Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to plead or claim, any such immunity and consents to such relief and enforcement.

23.    Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY TO THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER OF, AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN, ADSS OR ADRS) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY). No provision of this Deposit Agreement or any ADR is intended to constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which Holders or Beneficial Owners may have under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to the extent applicable.

24.    Selection Process. The Company hereby confirms that the Depositary was selected in accordance with Brazilian Law 13.303/16 of June 30, 2016, (the “Public Company Law”) after the Company submitted a formal request for proposal to four banks for the right to serve as the depositary bank in connection with the ADSs. A bidding process was not required under the Public Company Law in connection with the Deposit Agreement.

25.    Amendment and Restatement of Prior Deposit Agreement. The Deposit Agreement amends and restates the Prior Deposit Agreement in its entirety to consist exclusively of the Deposit Agreement, and each Prior Receipt is hereby deemed amended and restated to substantially conform to the form of ADR set forth in Exhibit A annexed hereto, except that, to the extent any portion of such amendment and restatement would impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders of Prior Receipts or Beneficial Owners of ADSs evidenced by such Prior Receipts, such portion shall not become effective as to such Holders or Beneficial Owners with respect to such Prior Receipts until 30 days after such Holders shall have received notice thereof, such notice to be conclusively deemed given upon the mailing to such Holders of notice of such amendment and restatement which notice contains a provision whereby such Holders can receive a copy of the form of ADR. Any further amendments and/or amendment and restatements hereof shall be subject to the provisions of paragraph (16) of the form of ADR (Amendment).

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth and all Holders and Beneficial Owners shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of ADSs issued in accordance with the terms hereof, or upon acquisition of any beneficial interest therein.

 

PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
By:   /s/ Carla Dodsworth Albano Miller
Name:   Carla Dodsworth Albano Miller

Title:

  IR Executive Manager

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
By:   /s/ Lisa M. Hayes
Name:   Lisa M. Hayes

Title:

  Vice President

 

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EXHIBIT A

ANNEXED TO AND INCORPORATED IN

DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

[FORM OF FACE OF ADR]

No. of ADSs:

Number

Each ADS represents

Two Shares

CUSIP:

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT

evidencing

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

representing

COMMON SHARES

of

PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS

(Incorporated under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil)

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary hereunder (the “Depositary”), hereby certifies that                  is the registered owner (a “Holder”) of     American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each (subject to paragraph (13) (Changes Affecting Deposited Securities)) representing two common shares (including the rights to receive Shares described in paragraph (1) (Issuance of ADSs), “Shares” and, together with any other securities, cash or property from time to time held by the Depositary in respect or in lieu of deposited Shares, the “Deposited Securities”), of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras, a corporation organized under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil (the “Company”), deposited under the Further Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement dated as of January 2, 2020 (as amended from time to time, the “Deposit Agreement”) among the Company, the Depositary and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder (“ADRs”), each of whom by accepting an ADR becomes a party thereto. The Deposit Agreement and this ADR (which includes the provisions set forth on the reverse hereof) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the application of the conflict of law principles thereof. All capitalized terms used herein, and not defined herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.

 

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(1)    Issuance of ADSs.

(a)    Issuance. This ADR is one of the ADRs issued under the Deposit Agreement. Subject to the Deposit Agreement and the other provisions hereof, the Depositary may so issue ADRs for delivery at the Transfer Office (as hereinafter defined) only against deposit of: (i) Shares in a form satisfactory to the Custodian; or (ii) rights to receive Shares from the Company or any registrar, transfer agent, clearing agent or other entity recording Share ownership or transactions.

(b)    Lending. In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs.

(c)    Representations and Warranties of Depositors. Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement represents and warrants that:

 

  (i)

such Shares and the certificates therefor are duly authorized, validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, nonassessable and legally obtained by such person,

 

  (ii)

all pre-emptive and comparable rights, if any, with respect to such Shares have been validly waived or exercised,

 

  (iii)

the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do,

 

  (iv)

the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim and

 

  (v)

such Shares (A) are not “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Restricted Securities”) unless at the time of deposit the requirements of paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144 shall not apply and such Shares may be freely transferred and may otherwise be offered and sold freely in the United States or (B) have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933. To the extent the person depositing Shares is an “affiliate” of the Company as such term is defined in Rule 144, the person also represents and warrants that upon the sale of the ADSs, all of the provisions of Rule 144 which enable the Shares to be freely sold (in the form of ADSs) will be fully complied with and, as a result thereof, all of the ADSs issued in respect of such Shares will not be on the sale thereof, Restricted Securities.

Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares and the issuance and cancellation of ADSs in respect thereof and the transfer of such ADSs. If any of the representations or warranties are incorrect in any way, the Company and the Depositary may, at the cost of the breaching Holder and/or Beneficial Owner, and each of them, take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences of such misrepresentation.

(d) The Depositary may refuse to accept for such deposit any Shares identified by the Company in order to facilitate compliance with the requirements of the laws, rules and regulations of the United States, including, but not limited to, the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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(2) Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. Subject to the Deposit Agreement and paragraphs (4) (Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc.) and (5) (Liability for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges) and to the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities (including the Company’s constituent documents or applicable law), upon surrender of (a) a certificated ADR in a form satisfactory to the Depositary at the Transfer Office or (b) proper instructions and documentation in the case of a Direct Registration ADR, the Holder hereof is entitled to delivery at, or to the extent in dematerialized form from, the Custodian’s office of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the ADSs evidenced by this ADR. At the request, risk and expense of the Holder hereof, the Depositary may deliver such Deposited Securities at such other place as may have been requested by the Holder. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR, the withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be restricted only for the reasons set forth in General Instruction I.A.(1) of Form F-6 (as such instructions may be amended from time to time) under the Securities Act of 1933.

(3) Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of ADRs. The Depositary or its agent will keep, at a designated transfer office (the “Transfer Office”), (i) a register (the “ADR Register”) for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs, and, in the case of Direct Registration ADRs, shall include the Direct Registration System, which at all reasonable times will be open for inspection by Holders and the Company for the purpose of communicating with Holders in the interest of the business of the Company or a matter relating to the Deposit Agreement and (ii) facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs. The term ADR Register includes the Direct Registration System. Title to this ADR (and to the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby), when properly endorsed (in the case of ADRs in certificated form) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer, is transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of negotiable instruments under the laws of the State of New York; provided that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the person in whose name this ADR is registered on the ADR Register as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Company will have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or any ADR to any Beneficial Owner, unless such Beneficial Owner is the Holder hereof. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), this ADR is transferable on the ADR Register and may be split into other ADRs or combined with other ADRs into one ADR, evidencing the aggregate number of ADSs surrendered for split-up or combination, by the Holder hereof or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this ADR at the Transfer Office properly endorsed (in the case of ADRs in certificated form) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer and duly stamped as may be required by applicable law; provided that the Depositary may close the ADR Register (and/or any portion thereof) at any time or from time to time when deemed expedient by it, and it may also close the issuance book portion of the ADR Register when reasonably requested by the Company solely in order to enable the Company to comply with applicable law. At the request of a Holder, the Depositary shall, for the purpose of substituting a certificated ADR with a Direct Registration ADR, or vice versa, execute and deliver a certificated ADR or a Direct Registration ADR, as the case may be, for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the certificated ADR or Direct Registration ADR, as the case may be, substituted.

 

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(4) Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc. Prior to the issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of any ADR, the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, and from time to time in the case of clause (b)(ii) of this paragraph (4), the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian may require:

(a) payment with respect thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable charges as provided in paragraph (7) (Charges of Depositary) of this ADR;

(b) the production of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity of any signatory and genuineness of any signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial or other ownership of any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and terms of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, as it may deem necessary or proper; and

(c) compliance with such regulations as the Depositary may establish consistent with the Deposit Agreement and any regulations which the Depositary is informed of in writing by the Company which are required by the Depositary, the Company or the Custodian to facilitate compliance with any applicable rules or regulations of the Central Bank or CVM.

The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of Shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), the withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR Register or any register for Deposited Securities is closed or when any such action is deemed advisable by the Depositary.

(5) Liability for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges. If any tax or other governmental charges (including any penalties and/or interest) shall become payable by or on behalf of the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to this ADR, any Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby or any distribution thereon, such tax or other governmental charge shall be paid by the Holder hereof to the Depositary and by holding or having held this ADR or any ADSs evidenced hereby, the Holder and all Beneficial Owners hereof and thereof, and all prior Holders and Beneficial Owners hereof and thereof, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and save harmless each of the Depositary and its agents in respect of such tax or other governmental charge. Each Holder of this ADR and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs evidenced hereby, and each prior Holder and Beneficial Owner hereof and thereof (collectively, the “Tax Indemnitors”), by holding or having held an ADR or an interest in ADSs, acknowledges and agrees that the Depositary shall have the right to seek payment of amounts owing with respect to this ADR under this paragraph (5) from any one or more Tax Indemnitor(s) as determined by the Depositary in its sole discretion, without any obligation to seek payment from any other Tax Indemnitor(s). The Depositary may refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination hereof or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), any withdrawal of such Deposited Securities until such payment is made. The Depositary may also deduct from any distributions on or in respect of Deposited Securities, or may sell by public or private sale for the account of the Holder hereof any part or all of such Deposited Securities, and may apply such deduction or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge, the Holder hereof remaining liable for any deficiency, and shall reduce the number of ADSs evidenced hereby to reflect any such sales of Shares. In connection with any distribution to Holders, the Company will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld and owing to such authority or agency by the Company; and the Depositary and the Custodian will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld and owing to such authority or agency by the Depositary or the Custodian. The Depositary will forward to the Company such information from its transfer records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent (other than the Depositary) to file any necessary reports with governmental authorities or agencies, and either the Company or the Depositary, or their respective agents, may, but none of them shall have any obligation to, file any such reports necessary to obtain benefits under any applicable tax treaties for Holders. If the Depositary determines that any distribution in property other than cash (including Shares or rights) on Deposited Securities is subject to any tax that the Depositary or the Custodian is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes, by public or private sale, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the Holders entitled thereto. Each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian and any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained. The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners under this paragraph (5) shall survive any transfer of ADSs, any surrender of ADSs and withdrawal of Deposited Securities and any termination of the Deposit Agreement.

 

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(6) Disclosure of Interests. To the extent that the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities or the Company’s constituent documents may require disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of, or interests in, Deposited Securities, other Shares and other securities and may provide for blocking transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits, Holders and Beneficial Owners agree to comply with all such disclosure requirements, including without limitation, requirements of Brazilian law, including the rules and requirements of the Central Bank and ownership limitations and to comply with any reasonable Company instructions and requests in respect thereof, including, without limitation, requests for information as to the identity of any holder of an interest in this ADR and the nature of such interest, whether or not such Holder continues to hold such interest at the time of the request. The Company reserves the right to instruct Holders (and through any such Holder, the Beneficial Owners of ADSs evidenced by the ADRs registered in such Holder’s name) to deliver their ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities so as to permit the Company to deal directly with the Holder and/or Beneficial Owner thereof as a holder of Shares and Holders and Beneficial Owners agree to comply with such instructions. The Depositary agrees to cooperate with the Company in its efforts to inform Holders of the Company’s exercise of its rights under this paragraph and agrees to consult with, and provide reasonable assistance without risk, liability or expense on the part of the Depositary, to the Company on the manner or manners in which it may enforce such rights with respect to any Holder, provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, the Depositary shall be indemnified by the Company in connection with the foregoing.

(7) Charges of Depositary.

(a) Rights of the Depositary. The Depositary may charge, and collect from, (i) each person to whom ADSs are issued, including, without limitation, issuances against deposits of Shares, issuances in respect of Share Distributions, Rights and Other Distributions (as such terms are defined in paragraph (10) (Distributions on Deposited Securities)), issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company, or issuances pursuant to a merger, exchange of securities or any other transaction or event affecting the ADSs or the Deposited Securities, and (ii) each person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities or whose ADSs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason U.S.$5.00 or less for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued, delivered, reduced, cancelled or surrendered (as the case may be). The Depositary may sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and property received in respect of Share Distributions, Rights and Other Distributions prior to such deposit to pay such charge.

(b) Additional charges by the Depositary. The following additional charges shall also be incurred by the Holders, the Beneficial Owners, by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering ADSs and/or to whom ADSs are issued (including, without limitation, issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the ADSs or the Deposited Securities or a distribution of ADSs pursuant to paragraph (10) (Distributions on Deposited Securities), whichever is applicable:

 

  (i)

a fee of U.S.$0.05 or less per ADS held (i) upon which any Cash distribution is made pursuant to the Deposit Agreement or (ii) in the case of an elective cash/stock dividend, upon which a Cash distribution or an issuance of additional ADSs is made as a result of such elective dividend,

 

  (ii)

a fee for the distribution or sale of securities pursuant to paragraph (10) hereof, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (for purposes of this paragraph (7) treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities or the net cash proceeds from the sale thereof are instead distributed by the Depositary to Holders entitled thereto,

 

  (iii)

an aggregate fee of U.S.$0.05 or less per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof) for services performed by the Depositary in administering the ADRs (which fee may be charged on a periodic basis during each calendar year and shall be assessed against Holders as of the record date or record dates set by the Depositary during each calendar year and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions), and

 

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  (iv)

a fee for the reimbursement of such fees, charges and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary and/or any of its agents (including, without limitation, the Custodian and expenses incurred on behalf of Holders in connection with compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in connection with the servicing of the Shares or other Deposited Securities, the holding of foreign currency, the sale of securities (including, without limitation, Deposited Securities), the delivery of Deposited Securities or otherwise in connection with the Depositary’s or its Custodian’s compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation (which fees and charges shall be assessed on a proportionate basis against Holders as of the record date or dates set by the Depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions), including, without limitation, any amounts charged by any governmental authorities or other institutions such as the Brazilian Clearing and Depository Corporation (Companhia Brasileira de Liquidação e Custódia) or the B3 S.A. – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão, the stock exchange on which the Shares are registered for trading.

(c) Other Obligations and Charges. The Company will pay all other charges and expenses of the Depositary and any agent of the Depositary (except the Custodian) pursuant to agreements from time to time between the Company and the Depositary, except:

 

  (i)

stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges (which are payable by Holders or persons depositing Shares);

 

  (ii)

SWIFT, cable, telex, electronic and facsimile transmission and delivery charges incurred at the request of persons depositing, or Holders delivering Shares, ADRs or Deposited Securities (which are payable by such persons or Holders); and

 

  (iii)

transfer or registration fees for the registration or transfer of Deposited Securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of Deposited Securities (which are payable by persons depositing Shares or Holders withdrawing Deposited Securities).

(d) Foreign Exchange Related Matters. To facilitate the administration of various depositary receipt transactions, including disbursement of dividends or other cash distributions and other corporate actions, the Depositary may engage the foreign exchange desk within JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”) and/or its affiliates in order to enter into spot foreign exchange transactions to convert foreign currency into U.S. dollars (“FX Transactions”). For certain currencies, FX Transactions are entered into with the Bank or an affiliate, as the case may be, acting in a principal capacity. For other currencies, FX Transactions are routed directly to and managed by an unaffiliated local custodian (or other third party local liquidity provider), and neither the Bank nor any of its affiliates is a party to such FX Transactions.

The foreign exchange rate applied to an FX Transaction will be either (a) a published benchmark rate, or (b) a rate determined by a third party local liquidity provider, in each case plus or minus a spread, as applicable. The Depositary will disclose which foreign exchange rate and spread, if any, apply to such currency on the “Disclosure” page (or successor page) of www.adr.com (as updated by the Depositary from time to time, “ADR.com”). Such applicable foreign exchange rate and spread may (and neither the Depositary, the Bank nor any of their affiliates is under any obligation to ensure that such rate does not) differ from rates and spreads at which comparable transactions are entered into with other customers or the range of foreign exchange rates and spreads at which the Bank or any of its affiliates enters into foreign exchange transactions in the relevant currency pair on the date of the FX Transaction. Additionally, the timing of execution of an FX Transaction varies according to local market dynamics, which may include regulatory requirements, market hours and liquidity in the foreign exchange market or other factors. Furthermore, the Bank and its affiliates may manage the associated risks of their position in the market in a manner they deem appropriate without regard to the impact of such activities on the Company, the Depositary, Holders or Beneficial Owners. The spread applied does not reflect any gains or losses that may be earned or incurred by the Bank and its affiliates as a result of risk management or other hedging related activity.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Company provides U.S. dollars to the Depositary, neither the Bank nor any of its affiliates will execute an FX Transaction as set forth herein. In such case, the Depositary will distribute the U.S. dollars received from the Company.

 

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Further details relating to the applicable foreign exchange rate, the applicable spread and the execution of FX Transactions will be provided by the Depositary on ADR.com. The Company, Holders and Beneficial Owners each acknowledge and agree that the terms applicable to FX Transactions disclosed from time to time on ADR.com will apply to any FX Transaction executed pursuant to the Deposit Agreement.

(e) Disclosure of Potential Depositary Payments. The Depositary anticipates reimbursing the Company for certain expenses incurred by the Company that are related to the establishment and maintenance of the ADR program upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time. The Depositary may make available to the Company a set amount or a portion of the Depositary fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time.

(f) The right of the Depositary to charge and receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive the termination of the Deposit Agreement. As to any Depositary, upon the resignation or removal of such Depositary, such right shall extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness of such resignation or removal.

(8) Available Information. The Deposit Agreement, the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and any written communications from the Company, which are both received by the Custodian or its nominee as a holder of Deposited Securities and made generally available to the holders of Deposited Securities, are available for inspection by Holders at the offices of the Depositary and the Custodian, at the Transfer Office, on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website, or upon request from the Depositary (which request may be refused by the Depositary at its discretion). The Depositary will distribute copies of such communications (or English translations or summaries thereof) to Holders when furnished by the Company. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and accordingly files certain reports with the Commission. Such reports and other information may be inspected and copied through the Commission’s EDGAR system.

(9) Execution. This ADR shall not be valid for any purpose unless executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary.

Dated:

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Depositary
By:   /s/    Name        
  Authorized Officer

The Depositary’s office is located at 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11, New York, New York 10179.

 

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[FORM OF REVERSE OF ADR]

(10) Distributions on Deposited Securities. Subject to paragraphs (4) (Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc.) and (5) (Liability for Taxes, Duties and other Charges) and any restrictions imposed by Brazilian law, rule, regulation or applicable permit, to the extent practicable, the Depositary will distribute to each Holder entitled thereto on the record date set by the Depositary therefor at such Holder’s address shown on the ADR Register, in proportion to the number of Deposited Securities (on which the following distributions on Deposited Securities are received by the Custodian) represented by ADSs evidenced by such Holder’s ADRs:

(a) Cash. Any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or portion thereof authorized in this paragraph (10) (“Cash”), on an averaged or other practicable basis, subject to (i) appropriate adjustments for taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable with respect to certain Holders, and (iii) deduction of the Depositary’s and/or its agents’ fees and expenses in (1) converting any foreign currency to U.S. dollars by sale or in such other manner as the Depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the United States by such means as the Depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made on a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. If the Company shall have advised the Depositary pursuant to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement that any such conversion, transfer or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of the Brazilian government or any agency thereof or the Depositary shall become aware of any other governmental approval or license required therefor, the Depositary may, in its discretion, apply for such approval or license, if any, as the Company or its Brazilian counsel may reasonably instruct in writing or as the Depositary may deem desirable including, without limitation, Central Bank registration.

(b) Shares. (i) Additional ADRs evidencing whole ADSs representing any Shares available to the Depositary resulting from a dividend or free distribution on Deposited Securities consisting of Shares (a “Share Distribution”) and (ii) U.S. dollars available to it resulting from the net proceeds of sales of Shares received in a Share Distribution, which Shares would give rise to fractional ADSs if additional ADRs were issued therefor, as in the case of Cash. The Depositary shall use reasonable endeavors to collect any fees, taxes and/or charges owing in connection with a Share Distribution from Holders before making any claims hereunder against the Company.

 

 

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(c) Rights. (i) Warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the Depositary representing rights to acquire additional ADRs in respect of any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or rights of any nature available to the Depositary as a result of a distribution on Deposited Securities (“Rights”), to the extent that the Company timely furnishes to the Depositary evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that the Depositary may lawfully distribute the same (the Company has no obligation to so furnish such evidence), or (ii) to the extent the Company does not so furnish such evidence and sales of Rights are practicable, any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary from the net proceeds of sales of Rights as in the case of Cash, or (iii) to the extent the Company does not so furnish such evidence and such sales cannot practicably be accomplished by reason of the nontransferability of the Rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, nothing (and any Rights may lapse).

(d) Other Distributions. (i) Securities or property available to the Depositary resulting from any distribution on Deposited Securities other than Cash, Share Distributions and Rights (“Other Distributions”), by any means that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable, or (ii) to the extent the Depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary from the net proceeds of sales of Other Distributions as in the case of Cash.

(e) Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. Whenever the Company intends to distribute a dividend payable at the election of the holders of Shares in cash or in additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders. Upon receipt of notice indicating that the Company wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine, and the Company shall assist the Depositary in its determination, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such elective distribution available to Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that the elective distribution is available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable and (iii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 14 of the Deposit Agreement including, without limitation, any legal opinions of counsel in any applicable jurisdiction that the Depositary in its reasonable discretion may request, at the expense of the Company. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares. If the above conditions are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish a record date and establish procedures to enable Holders to elect the receipt of the proposed dividend in cash or in additional ADSs. The Company shall assist the Depositary in establishing such procedures to the extent necessary. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to Holders a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that Holders or Beneficial Owners generally, or any Holder and/or Beneficial Owner in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.

 

 

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(f) The Depositary reserves the right to utilize a division, branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities hereunder. Such division, branch and/or affiliate may charge the Depositary a fee in connection with such sales, which fee is considered an expense of the Depositary contemplated above and/or under paragraph (7) (Charges of Depositary). Any U.S. dollars available will be distributed by checks drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents. Fractional cents will be withheld without liability and dealt with by the Depositary in accordance with its then current practices. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the Depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth in the “Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security” section of https://www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs, the location and contents of which the Depositary shall be solely responsible for.

(11) Record Dates. The Depositary may, after consultation with the Company if practicable, fix a record date (which, to the extent applicable, shall be as near as practicable to any corresponding record date set by the Company) for the determination of the Holders who shall be responsible for the fee assessed by the Depositary for administration of the ADR program and for any expenses provided for in paragraph (7) hereof as well as for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive any distribution on or in respect of Deposited Securities, to give instructions for the exercise of any voting rights, to receive any notice or to act or be obligated in respect of other matters and only such Holders shall be so entitled or obligated.

(12) Voting of Deposited Securities.

(a) Notice of any Meeting or Solicitation. As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which holders of Shares are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS record date in accordance with paragraph (11) above and distribute to Holders a notice (the “Voting Notice”) stating (i) final information particular to such vote and meeting and any solicitation materials, (ii) that each Holder on the record date set by the Depositary will, subject to any applicable provisions of Brazilian law, rule or regulation and the Company’s constituent documents, be entitled to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such Holder’s ADRs and (iii) the manner in which such instructions may be given, including instructions to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company. Each Holder shall be solely responsible for the forwarding of Voting Notices to the Beneficial Owners of ADSs registered in such Holder’s name. There is no guarantee that Holders and Beneficial Owners generally or any Holder or Beneficial Owner in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable such Holder or Beneficial Owner to return any voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner. In order to give Beneficial Owners a reasonable opportunity to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to Deposited Securities, if the Company will request the Depositary to act under this Section, the Company shall give the Depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon not less than 30 days prior to the meeting date.

 

 

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(b) Voting of Deposited Securities. Following actual receipt by the ADR department responsible for proxies and voting of Holders’ instructions (including, without limitation, instructions of any entity or entities acting on behalf of the nominee for DTC), the Depositary shall, in the manner and on or before the time established by the Depositary for such purpose, endeavor to vote or cause to be voted the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such Holders’ ADRs in accordance with such instructions insofar as practicable and permitted under the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities. The Depositary will not itself exercise any voting discretion in respect of any Deposited Securities. Without limiting any of the foregoing, to the extent the Depositary does not receive voting instructions with respect to any one or more ADSs, the Depositary shall take such actions as are necessary, upon the written request of the Company and subject to applicable law and the terms of the Shares, to cause the amount of Shares represented by such ADSs to be counted for the purpose of satisfying applicable quorum requirements, provided, however that the Depositary shall not represent or present for quorum purposes any Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which voting instructions were not received unless and until the Depositary has been provided with an opinion of internal or external counsel to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that (i) the representation and presentation of such Deposited Securities for purposes of establishing a quorum does not subject the Depositary to any reporting obligations under Brazilian law, rule or regulation, (ii) the presentation of such Deposited Securities will not result in a violation of Brazilian law, rule, regulation or permit, (iii) the voting arrangement as contemplated herein will be given effect under Brazilian laws, rules and regulations and (iv) the voting arrangement contemplated herein will not be construed to be an exercise of voting discretion by the Depositary and the Depositary will not be considered to be an owner of the Deposited Securities as a result of its presentation of Deposited Securities in accordance with this voting arrangement.

(c) Alternative Methods of Distributing Materials. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, the Depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by any law, rule or regulation or the rules and/or requirements of the stock exchange on which the ADSs are listed, in lieu of distribution of the materials provided to the Depositary in connection with any meeting of or solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, distribute to the Holders a notice that provides Holders with or otherwise publicizes to Holders instructions on how to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon request (i.e., by reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials). Holders are strongly encouraged to forward their voting instructions as soon as possible. Voting instructions will not be deemed received until such time as the ADR department responsible for proxies and voting has received such instructions, notwithstanding that such instructions may have been physically received by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Depositary, prior to such time.

 

 

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(13) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities.

(a) Subject to paragraphs (4) (Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc.) and (5) (Liability for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges), the Depositary may, in its discretion, and shall if reasonably requested by the Company, amend this ADR or distribute additional or amended ADRs (with or without calling this ADR for exchange) or cash, securities or property on the record date set by the Depositary therefor to reflect any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification of Deposited Securities, any Share Distribution or Other Distribution not distributed to Holders or any cash, securities or property available to the Depositary in respect of Deposited Securities from (and the Depositary is hereby authorized to surrender any Deposited Securities to any person and, irrespective of whether such Deposited Securities are surrendered or otherwise cancelled by operation of law, rule, regulation or otherwise, to sell by public or private sale any property received in connection with) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company.

(b) To the extent the Depositary does not so amend this ADR or make a distribution to Holders to reflect any of the foregoing, or the net proceeds thereof, whatever cash, securities or property results from any of the foregoing shall constitute Deposited Securities and each ADS evidenced by this ADR shall automatically represent its pro rata interest in the Deposited Securities as then constituted.

(c) Promptly upon the occurrence of any of the aforementioned changes affecting Deposited Securities, the Company shall notify the Depositary in writing of such occurrence and as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice from the Company, may instruct the Depositary to give notice thereof, at the Company’s expense, to Holders in accordance with the provisions hereof. Upon receipt of such instruction, the Depositary shall give notice to the Holders in accordance with the terms thereof, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

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(14) Exoneration.

(a) The Depositary, the Company, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates and each of them shall: (i) incur no liability to Holders or Beneficial Owners (A) if any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, the Federative Republic of Brazil or any other country or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or any securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities, any present or future provision of the Company’s constituent documents, any act of God, war, terrorism, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions, computer failure or circumstance beyond its direct and immediate control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause any of them to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with, any act which the Deposit Agreement or this ADR provides shall be done or performed by it or them (including, without limitation, voting pursuant to paragraph (12) hereof), or (B) by reason of any non-performance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or things which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed or any exercise or failure to exercise any discretion given it in the Deposit Agreement or this ADR (including, without limitation, any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable); (ii) not incur or assume any liability to Holders or Beneficial Owners except to perform its obligations to the extent they are specifically set forth in this ADR and the Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or willful misconduct and the Depositary shall not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to Holders or Beneficial Owners; (iii) for the inability of any Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from, or participate in, any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Shares but is not made available to Holders hereunder, (iv) in the case of the Depositary and its agents, be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities, ADSs or this ADR; (v) in the case of the Company and its agents hereunder be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or this ADR, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability be furnished as often as may be required; and (vi) not be liable to Holders or Beneficial Owners for any action or inaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information, or in the case of the Depositary only, the Company. The Depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions made by, or the insolvency of, any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system.

 

 

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(b) The Depositary. The Depositary shall not have any liability for the price received in connection with any sale of securities, the timing thereof or any delay in action or omission to act nor shall it be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party so retained in connection with any such sale or proposed sale. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Deposit Agreement (including the ADRs), subject to the further limitations set forth in subparagraph (q) of this paragraph (14), the Depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, (a) the insolvency of any Custodian that is not a branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or (b) any act or omission to act on the part of the Custodian except to the extent that any Holder has incurred liability directly as a result of the Custodian having (i) committed fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services to the Depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to the Depositary as determined in accordance with the standards prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the Custodian is located.

(c) The Depositary, its agents and the Company may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by them to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.

(d) The Depositary shall be under no obligation to inform Holders or Beneficial Owners about the requirements of the laws, rules or regulations or any changes therein or thereto of any country or jurisdiction or of any governmental or regulatory authority or any securities exchange or market or automated quotation system.

(e) The Depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast, including without limitation any vote cast by a person to whom the Depositary is required to grant a discretionary proxy pursuant to paragraph (12) hereof, or for the effect of any such vote.

(f) The Depositary may rely upon instructions from the Company or its counsel in respect of any approval or license required for any currency conversion, transfer or distribution.

(g) The Depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in ADRs.

(h) Notwithstanding anything else contained herein or in the Prior Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall have no liability or responsibility under the Deposit Agreement, any ADR or any related agreement, for any period prior to the effective date of the Deposit Agreement or for any act or omission of the predecessor to the Depositary or any of its agents (including the Custodian as defined in the Prior Deposit Agreement), under or in connection with this Deposit Agreement, any ADRs or any related agreement.

 

 

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(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Deposit Agreement or an ADR, the Depositary and its agents may fully respond to any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf in connection with the Deposit Agreement, any Holder or Holders, any ADR or ADRs or otherwise related hereto or thereto to the extent such information is requested or required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation laws, rules, regulations, administrative or judicial process, banking, securities or other regulators.

(j) None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be liable for the failure by any Holder or Beneficial Owner to obtain the benefits of credits or refunds of non-U.S. tax paid against such Holder’s or Beneficial Owner’s income tax liability.

(k) The Depositary is under no obligation to provide the Holders and Beneficial Owners, or any of them, with any information about the tax status of the Company. The Depositary and the Company shall not incur any liability for any tax or tax consequences that may be incurred by Holders and Beneficial Owners on account of their ownership or disposition of the ADRs or ADSs.

(l) The Depositary shall not incur any liability for the content of any information submitted to it by or on behalf of the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company.

(m) Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the Depositary and the Custodian(s) may use third party delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as pricing, proxy voting, corporate actions, class action litigation and other services in connection herewith and the Deposit Agreement, and use local agents to provide extraordinary services such as attendance at annual meetings of issuers of securities. Although the Depositary and the Custodian will use reasonable care (and cause their agents to use reasonable care) in the selection and retention of such third-party providers and local agents, they will not be responsible for any errors or omissions made by them in providing the relevant information or services.

(n) The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary.

(o) By holding an ADS or an interest therein, Holders and Beneficial Owners each irrevocably agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving the Company or the Depositary, arising out of or based upon the Deposit Agreement, the ADSs or the transactions contemplated herein, therein or hereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and by holding an ADS or an interest therein each irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

 

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(p) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Depositary and its agents under certain circumstances and the Depositary has agreed to indemnify the Company under certain circumstances.

(q) Neither the Depositary nor any of its agents shall be liable to Holders or Beneficial Owners for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) or lost profits, in each case of any form incurred by any person or entity (including, without limitation, Holders and Beneficial Owners), whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought.

(r) No provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR is intended to constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which Holders or Beneficial Owners may have under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to the extent applicable.    

(15) Resignation and Removal of Depositary; the Custodian.

(a) Resignation. The Depositary may resign as Depositary by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement.

(b) Removal. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by no less than 60 days’ prior written notice of such removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 60th day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement.

(c) The Custodian. The Depositary may appoint substitute or additional Custodians (to the extent multiple Custodians are permitted under law) and the term “Custodian” refers to each Custodian or all Custodians as the context requires; provided, however, that at no time without the proper Brazilian governmental approvals shall the Depositary have more than one Custodian acting for it hereunder.

 

 

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(16) Amendment. Subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), the ADRs and the Deposit Agreement may be amended by the Company and the Depositary, provided that any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges on a per ADS basis (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, SWIFT, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or that shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall become effective 30 days after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Holders. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment to the Deposit Agreement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADR, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Holder of any ADR to surrender such ADR and receive the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or (b) the ADSs or Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body or regulatory body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the ADR at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of ADRs shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders and Beneficial Owners to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Commission’s, the Depositary’s or the Company’s website or upon request from the Depositary).

 

 

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(17) Termination. The Depositary may, and shall at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement and this ADR by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the Depositary shall have (i) resigned as Depositary hereunder, notice of such termination by the Depositary shall not be provided to Holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating hereunder within 60 days of the date of such resignation, or (ii) been removed as Depositary hereunder, notice of such termination by the Depositary shall not be provided to Holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating hereunder on the 60th day after the Company’s notice of removal was first provided to the Depositary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement without notice to the Company, but subject to giving 30 days’ notice to the Holders, under the following circumstances: (i) in the event of the Company’s bankruptcy or insolvency, (ii) if the Shares cease to be listed on an internationally recognized stock exchange, (iii) if the Company effects (or will effect) a redemption of all or substantially all of the Deposited Securities, or a cash or share distribution representing a return of all or substantially all of the value of the Deposited Securities, or (iv) there occurs a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other transaction as a result of which securities or other property are delivered in exchange for or in lieu of Deposited Securities.    

After the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary and its agents will perform no further acts under the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, except to receive and hold (or sell) distributions on Deposited Securities and deliver Deposited Securities being withdrawn. As soon as practicable after the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to sell the Deposited Securities and shall thereafter (as long as it may lawfully do so) hold in an account (which may be a segregated or unsegregated account) the net proceeds of such sales, together with any other cash then held by it under the Deposit Agreement, without liability for interest, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of ADRs not theretofore surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations in respect of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash. After the date so fixed for termination, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary and its agents.

 

 

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(18) Appointment; Acknowledgements and Agreements. Each Holder and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs or ADRs (or any interest in any of them) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof, and (c) acknowledge and agree that (i) nothing in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR shall give rise to a partnership or joint venture among the parties thereto nor establish a fiduciary or similar relationship among such parties, (ii) the Depositary, its divisions, branches and affiliates, and their respective agents, may from time to time be in the possession of non-public information about the Company, Holders, Beneficial Owners and/or their respective affiliates, (iii) the Depositary and its divisions, branches and affiliates may at any time have multiple banking relationships with the Company, Holders, Beneficial Owners and/or the affiliates of any of them, (iv) the Depositary and its divisions, branches and affiliates may, from time to time, be engaged in transactions in which parties adverse to the Company or the Holders or Beneficial Owners may have interests, (v) nothing contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR(s) shall (A) preclude the Depositary or any of its divisions, branches or affiliates from engaging in such transactions or establishing or maintaining such relationships, or (B) obligate the Depositary or any of its divisions, branches or affiliates to disclose such transactions or relationships or to account for any profit made or payment received in such transactions or relationships, (vi) the Depositary shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any information held by any branch, division or affiliate of the Depositary and (vii) notice to a Holder shall be deemed, for all purposes of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, to constitute notice to any and all Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by such Holder’s ADRs. For all purposes under the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, the Holder hereof shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on behalf of any and all Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by this ADR.

(19) Waiver. EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER OF, AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN, ADSS OR ADRS) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY).

 

A-19

Exhibit 2.11

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

PARTIES

     1  

RECITALS

     1  

Section 1.

  Certain Definitions   

             (a)

 

ADR Register

     1  

             (b)

 

ADRs; Direct Registration ADRs

     1  

             (c)

 

ADS

     1  

             (d)

 

Beneficial Owner

     1  

             (e)

 

Custodian

     1  

             (f)

 

Deliver, execute, issue et al.

     2  

             (g)

 

Delivery Order

     2  

             (h)

 

Deposited Securities

     2  

             (i)

 

Direct Registration System

     2  

             (j)

 

Holder

     2  

             (k)

 

Securities Act of 1933

     2  

             (l)

 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     2  

             (m)

 

Shares

     2  

             (n)

 

Transfer Office

     2  

             (o)

 

Withdrawal Order

     2  

Section 2.

  Form of ADRs      2  

Section 3.

  Deposit of Shares      3  

Section 4.

  Issue of ADRs      4  

Section 5.

  Distributions on Deposited Securities      4  

Section 6.

  Withdrawal of Deposited Securities      4  

Section 7.

  Substitution of ADRs      4  

Section 8.

  Cancellation and Destruction of ADRs; Maintenance of Records      5  

Section 9.

  The Custodian      5  

Section 10.

  Lists of Holders      5  

Section 11.

  Depositary’s Agents      5  

Section 12.

  Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary      5  

Section 13.

  Reports      6  

Section 14.

  Additional Shares      6  

Section 15.

  Indemnification      6  

Section 16.

  Notices      8  

Section 17.

  Counterparts      8  

Section 18.

  No Third-Party Beneficiaries; Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect      8  

Section 19.

  Severability      8  

Section 20.

  Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction      8  

Section 21.

  Agent for Service      9  

Section 22.

  Waiver of Immunities      9  

Section 23.

  Waiver of Jury Trial      10  

Section 24.

  Selection Process      10  

Section 25.

  Amendment and Restatement of Prior Deposit Agreement      10  

TESTIMONIUM

     10  

SIGNATURES

     10  

 

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         Page  
EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF FACE OF ADR

     A-1  

             Introductory Paragraph

     A-1  

             (1)

 

Issuance of ADSs

     A-2  

             (2)

 

Withdrawal of Deposited Securities

     A-2  

             (3)

 

Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of ADRs

     A-3  

             (4)

 

Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc.

     A-3  

             (5)

 

Liability for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges

     A-4  

             (6)

 

Disclosure of Interests

     A-4  

             (7)

 

Charges of Depositary

     A-5  

             (8)

 

Available Information

     A-7  

             (9)

 

Execution

     A-7  

             Signature of Depositary

     A-7  

             Address of Depositary’s Office

     A-7  

FORM OF REVERSE OF ADR

     A-8  

            (10)

 

Distributions on Deposited Securities

     A-8  

            (11)

 

Record Dates

     A-9  

            (12)

 

Voting of Deposited Securities

     A-9  

            (13)

 

Changes Affecting Deposited Securities

     A-10  

            (14)

 

Exoneration

     A-11  

            (15)

 

Resignation and Removal of Depositary; the Custodian

     A-13  

            (16)

 

Amendment

     A-14  

            (17)

 

Termination

     A-14  

            (18)

 

Appointment; Acknowledgements and Agreements

     A-15  

            (19)

 

Waiver

     A-15  

 

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Further AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of January 2, 2020 (the “Deposit Agreement”) among PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS and its successors (the “Company”), JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as depositary hereunder (the “Depositary”), and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder (“ADRs”) evidencing American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) representing deposited Shares (defined below). The Company hereby appoints the Depositary as depositary for the Deposited Securities and hereby authorizes and directs the Depositary to act in accordance with the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement. All capitalized terms used herein have the meanings ascribed to them in Section 1 or elsewhere in this Deposit Agreement.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon entered into an Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 3, 2012 (the “Prior Deposit Agreement”) for the purposes set forth therein, for the creation of American depositary shares representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American depositary receipts (“Prior Receipts”) evidencing the American depositary shares;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Prior Deposit Agreement, the Company has removed The Bank of New York Mellon as depositary and has appointed JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as successor depositary thereunder;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Prior Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary wish to amend and restate the Prior Deposit Agreement and the Prior Receipts;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, subject to Section 24 hereof, the parties hereto hereby amend and restate the Prior Deposit Agreement and the Prior Receipts in their entirety as follows:

1. Certain Definitions.

(a) “ADR Register” is defined in paragraph (3) of the form of ADR (Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of ADRs).

(b) “ADRs” mean the American Depositary Receipts executed and delivered hereunder. ADRs may be either in physical certificated form or Direct Registration ADRs (as hereinafter defined). ADRs in physical certificated form, and the terms and conditions governing the Direct Registration ADRs, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed hereto (the “form of ADR”). The term “Direct Registration ADR” means an ADR, the ownership of which is recorded on the Direct Registration System. References to “ADRs” shall include certificated ADRs and Direct Registration ADRs, unless the context otherwise requires. The form of ADR is hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof; the provisions of the form of ADR shall be binding upon the parties hereto.

(c) Subject to paragraph (13) of the form of ADR, (Changes Affecting Deposited Securities) each “ADS” evidenced by an ADR represents the right to receive, and to exercise the beneficial ownership interests in, the number of Shares specified in the form of ADR attached hereto as Exhibit A (as amended from time to time) that are on deposit with the Depositary and/or the Custodian and a pro rata share in any other Deposited Securities, subject, in each case, to the terms of this Deposit Agreement and the ADSs. The ADS(s)-to-Share(s) ratio is subject to amendment as provided in the form of ADR (which may give rise to fees contemplated in paragraph (7) thereof).

(d) “Beneficial Owner” means as to any ADS, any person or entity having a beneficial ownership interest in such ADS. A Beneficial Owner need not be the Holder of the ADR evidencing such ADS. If a Beneficial Owner of ADSs is not a Holder, it must rely on the Holder of the ADR(s) evidencing such ADSs in order to assert any rights or receive any benefits under this Deposit Agreement. The arrangements between a Beneficial Owner of ADSs and the Holder of the corresponding ADRs may affect the Beneficial Owner’s ability to exercise any rights it may have.

(e) “Custodian” means the agent or agents of the Depositary (singly or collectively, as the context requires) and any additional or substitute Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 9.

 

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(f) The terms “deliver”, “execute”, “issue”, “register”, “surrender”, “transfer” or “cancel”, when used with respect to Direct Registration ADRs, shall refer to an entry or entries or an electronic transfer or transfers in the Direct Registration System, and, when used with respect to ADRs in physical certificated form, shall refer to the physical delivery, execution, issuance, registration, surrender, transfer or cancellation of certificates representing the ADRs.

(g) “Delivery Order” is defined in Section 3.

(h) “Deposited Securities” as of any time means all Shares at such time deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other Shares, securities, property and cash at such time held by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect or in lieu of such deposited Shares and other Shares, securities, property and cash. Deposited Securities are not intended to, and shall not, constitute proprietary assets of the Depositary, the Custodian or their nominees. Beneficial ownership in Deposited Securities is intended to be, and shall at all times during the term of the Deposit Agreement continue to be, vested in the Beneficial Owners of the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities.

(i) “Direct Registration System” means the system for the uncertificated registration of ownership of securities established by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and utilized by the Depositary pursuant to which the Depositary may record the ownership of ADRs without the issuance of a certificate, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Depositary to the Holders entitled thereto. For purposes hereof, the Direct Registration System shall include access to the Profile Modification System maintained by DTC which provides for automated transfer of ownership between DTC and the Depositary.

(j) “Holder” means the person or persons in whose name an ADR is registered on the ADR Register. For all purposes under the Deposit Agreement and the ADRs, a Holder shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on behalf of any and all Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by the ADR(s) registered in such Holder’s name.

(k) “Securities Act of 1933” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.

(l) “Securities Exchange Act of 1934” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time amended.

(m) “Shares” mean the preferred shares of the Company, and shall include the rights to receive Shares specified in paragraph (1) of the form of ADR (Issuance of ADSs).

(n) “Transfer Office” is defined in paragraph (3) of the form of ADR (Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of ADRs).

(o) “Withdrawal Order” is defined in Section 6.

2. Form of ADRs.

(a) Direct Registration ADRs. Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement or in the form of ADR to the contrary, ADSs shall be evidenced by Direct Registration ADRs, unless certificated ADRs are specifically requested by the Holder.

(b) Certificated ADRs. ADRs in certificated form shall be printed or otherwise reproduced at the discretion of the Depositary in accordance with its customary practices in its American depositary receipt business, or at the request of the Company typewritten and photocopied on plain or safety paper, and shall be substantially in the form set forth in the form of ADR, with such changes as may be required by the Depositary or the Company to comply with their obligations hereunder, any applicable law, regulation or usage or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular ADRs are subject. ADRs may be issued in denominations of any number of ADSs. ADRs in certificated form shall be executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary (other than an ADR issued and outstanding as of the date hereof under the terms of the Prior Deposit Agreement which has become subject to the terms of this Deposit Agreement in all respects). ADRs in certificated form bearing the facsimile signature of anyone who was at the time of execution a duly authorized officer of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such officer has ceased to hold such office prior to the delivery of such ADRs.

(c) Binding Effect. Holders of ADRs, and the Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by such ADRs, shall each be bound by the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and of the form of ADR, regardless of whether such ADRs are Direct Registration ADRs or certificated ADRs.

 

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3. Deposit of Shares.

(a) Requirements. In connection with the deposit of Shares hereunder, the Depositary or the Custodian may require the following in a form satisfactory to it:

(i) a written order directing the Depositary to issue to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons designated in such order a Direct Registration ADR or ADRs evidencing the number of ADSs representing such deposited Shares (a “Delivery Order”);

(ii) proper endorsements or duly executed instruments of transfer in respect of such deposited Shares;

(iii) instruments assigning to the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either any distribution on or in respect of such deposited Shares or indemnity therefor; and

(iv) proxies entitling the Custodian to vote such deposited Shares.

(b) Registration of Deposited Securities. As soon as practicable after the Custodian receives Deposited Securities pursuant to any such deposit or pursuant to paragraph (10) (Distributions on Deposited Securities) or (13) (Changes Affecting Deposited Securities) of the form of ADR, the Custodian shall present such Deposited Securities for registration of transfer into the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either, in each case for the benefit of Holders, to the extent such registration is practicable, at the cost and expense of the person making such deposit (or for whose benefit such deposit is made) and shall obtain evidence satisfactory to it of such registration. Deposited Securities shall be held by the Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary for the benefit of Holders of ADRs (to the extent not prohibited by law) at such place or places and in such manner as the Depositary shall determine. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, in the form of ADR and/or any outstanding ADSs, the Depositary, the Custodian and their respective nominees are intended to be, and shall at all times during the term of the Deposit Agreement be, the record holder(s) only of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs for the benefit of the Holders. The Depositary, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Custodian and their respective nominees, disclaims any beneficial ownership interest in the Deposited Securities held on behalf of the Holders.

(c) Delivery of Deposited Securities. Deposited Securities may be delivered by the Custodian to any person only under the circumstances expressly contemplated in this Deposit Agreement. To the extent that the provisions of or governing the Shares make delivery of certificates therefor impracticable, Shares may be deposited hereunder by such delivery thereof as the Depositary or the Custodian may reasonably accept, including, without limitation, by causing them to be credited to an account maintained by the Custodian for such purpose with the Company or an accredited intermediary, such as a bank, acting as a registrar for the Shares, together with delivery of the documents, payments and Delivery Order referred to herein to the Custodian or the Depositary.

(d) For as long as they are acting hereunder, the Depositary, the Custodian and the Company agree to comply with the Federative Republic of Brazil’s (“Brazil”) National Monetary Council (Conselho Monetário Nacional) Resolution No. 4,373, dated as of September 29, 2014, in the third article, paragraph three, of the Regulation Annex V, and agree to furnish to the Brazilian Central Bank (Banco Central do Brasil, or the “Central Bank”) and the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários, or the “CVM”), whenever required, information or documents related to the ADRs and this Deposit Agreement, the Deposited Securities and distributions thereon. The Depositary and the Custodian are hereby authorized to release such information or documents and any other information as required by local regulation, law or regulatory body request. In the event that the Depositary or the Custodian shall be advised in writing by reputable independent Brazilian counsel that the Depositary or the Custodian reasonably could be subject to criminal, or material, as reasonably determined by the Depositary, civil liabilities as a result of the Company having failed to provide such information or documents reasonably available only through the Company, the Depositary shall have the right to terminate this Deposit Agreement, upon at least 45 days’ (or such lesser period as to ensure that the Depositary is not subject to criminal or material civil liabilities) prior written notice to the Holders and the Company. The effect of any such termination of this Deposit Agreement shall be as provided in paragraph (17) of the form of ADR.

 

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4. Issue of ADRs. After any deposit of Shares hereunder, the Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and of the information contained in any related Delivery Order by letter, first class airmail postage prepaid, or, at the request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by SWIFT, cable, telex, electronic or facsimile transmission. After receiving such notice from the Custodian, the Depositary, subject to this Deposit Agreement, shall properly issue at the Transfer Office, to or upon the order of any person named in such notice, an ADR or ADRs registered as requested and evidencing the aggregate ADSs to which such person is entitled.

5. Distributions on Deposited Securities. To the extent that the Depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution pursuant to paragraph (10) of the form of ADR (Distributions on Deposited Securities) is not practicable with respect to any Holder, the Depositary may, after consultation with the Company (to the extent reasonably practicable), make such distribution as it so deems practicable, including the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property (or appropriate documents evidencing the right to receive foreign currency, securities or property) or the retention thereof as Deposited Securities with respect to such Holder’s ADRs (without liability for interest thereon or the investment thereof). If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its reasonable judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary is not convertible on a reasonable basis into U.S. dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any governmental authority or agency thereof that is required for such conversion is not sought or, if sought, denied, the Depositary may, subject to applicable laws and regulations, either distribute the foreign currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign currency) to, or hold such foreign currency (without liability for interest thereon) for the respective accounts of, the Holders entitled to receive the same; provided, however, that if requested in writing by a Holder entitled thereto, the Depositary may, in its reasonable discretion, distribute the foreign currency, as promptly as practicable. If any such conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, can be effected for distribution to some but not all of the Holders entitled thereto, the Depositary shall make such conversion and distribution in U.S. dollars to the extent permissible to the Holders entitled thereto and may either so distribute or hold such balance (without liability for interest thereon) for the respective accounts of, the Holders entitled thereto for whom such conversion and distribution is not reasonably practicable; provided, however, that if requested in writing by a Holder entitled thereto and permitted by applicable law, the Depositary may, in its discretion, distribute the foreign currency, as promptly as practicable. To the extent the Depositary holds foreign currency, any and all costs and expenses related to, or arising from, the holding of such foreign currency shall be paid from such foreign currency thereby reducing the amount so held hereunder.

6. Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. In connection with any surrender of an ADR for withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced thereby, the Depositary may require proper endorsement in blank of such ADR (or duly executed instruments of transfer thereof in blank) and the Holder’s written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such ADR to be withdrawn and delivered to, or upon the written order of, any person designated in such order (a “Withdrawal Order”). Directions from the Depositary to the Custodian to deliver Deposited Securities shall be given by letter, first class airmail postage prepaid, or, at the request, risk and expense of the person surrendering ADSs, by SWIFT, cable, telex, electronic or facsimile transmission. Delivery of Deposited Securities may be made by the physical delivery of certificates (which, if required by law shall be properly endorsed or accompanied by properly executed instruments of transfer or, if such certificates may be registered, registered in the name of such Holder or as ordered by such Holder in any Withdrawal Order), book-entry transfer of the Deposited Securities to an account maintained by an institution authorized under applicable law to effect transfers of such securities designated by the person entitled to that delivery, or by such other means as the Depositary may deem practicable, including, without limitation, by transfer of record ownership thereof to an account designated in the Withdrawal Order maintained either by the Company or an accredited intermediary, such as a bank, acting as a registrar for the Deposited Securities.

7. Substitution of ADRs. The Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Direct Registration ADR in exchange and substitution for any mutilated certificated ADR upon cancellation thereof or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen certificated ADR, unless the Depositary has notice that such ADR has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, upon the Holder thereof filing with the Depositary a request for such execution and delivery and a sufficient indemnity bond and satisfying any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.

 

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8. Cancellation and Destruction of ADRs; Maintenance of Records. All ADRs surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy ADRs in certificated form so cancelled in accordance with its customary practices. The Depositary, however, shall maintain or cause its agents to maintain records of all ADRs surrendered and Deposited Securities withdrawn under Section 6 hereof and paragraph (2) of the form of ADR, substitute ADRs delivered under Section 7 hereof, and canceled or destroyed ADRs under this Section 8, in keeping with the procedures ordinarily followed by stock transfer agents located in the United States or as required by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary.

9.  The Custodian.

(a) Rights of the Depositary. Any Custodian in acting hereunder shall be subject to the directions of the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. The Depositary reserves the right to add, replace or remove a Custodian. The Depositary will give prompt notice of any such action, which will be advance notice if practicable. The Depositary may discharge any Custodian at any time upon notice to the Custodian being discharged. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the appropriate Brazilian approvals, however, no more than one Custodian shall serve hereunder at any given time.

(b) Rights of the Custodian. Any Custodian may resign from its duties hereunder by providing at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Depositary. The Depositary shall, promptly after receiving such notice, endeavor to appoint a substitute custodian in accordance with clause (a) above, which shall thereafter be the Custodian hereunder. The Depositary shall take steps to ensure that any Custodian ceasing to act hereunder as Custodian shall deliver, upon the instruction of the Depositary, all Deposited Securities held by it to a Custodian continuing to act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Deposit Agreement (including the ADRs) and, subject to the further limitations set forth in subparagraph (q) of paragraph (14) of the form of ADR (Exoneration), the Depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, any act or omission to act on the part of the Custodian except to the extent that any Holder has incurred liability directly as a result of the Custodian having (i) committed fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services to the Depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to the Depositary as determined in accordance with the standards prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the Custodian is located.

10. Lists of Holders. The Company shall have the right to inspect transfer records of the Depositary and its agents and the ADR Register, take copies thereof and require the Depositary and its agents to supply copies of such portions of such records as the Company may request. The Depositary or its agent shall furnish to the Company promptly upon the written request of the Company, a list of the names, addresses and holdings of ADSs by all Holders as of a date within seven days of the Depositary’s receipt of such request.

11. Depositary’s Agents. The Depositary may perform its obligations under this Deposit Agreement through any agent appointed by it, provided that the Depositary shall notify the Company of such appointment and shall remain responsible for the performance of such obligations as if no agent were appointed, subject to paragraph (14) of the form of ADR (Exoneration).

12. Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary.

Subject in all cases to the Depositary’s rights under paragraph (17) of the form of ADR (Termination):

(a) Resignation of the Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election to do so delivered to the Company, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.

(b) Removal of the Depositary. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by providing no less than 60 days’ prior written notice of such removal to the Depositary, such removal to take effect the later of (i) the 60th day after such notice of removal is first provided and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.

 

 

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(c) Appointment of Successor Depositary. In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, only upon payment of all sums due to it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than its rights to indemnification and fees owing, each of which shall survive any such removal and/or resignation), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor (including all right, title and interest to any and all dividends and other distributions previously declared upon such Deposited Securities and the records related thereto necessary to enable the successor to make payment thereof to current or former Holders, as the case may be) and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding ADRs. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders. Any bank or trust company into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated, or to which the Depositary shall transfer substantially all its American depositary receipt business, shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.

13. Reports. On or before the first date on which the Company makes any communication available to holders of Deposited Securities or any securities regulatory authority or stock exchange, by publication or otherwise, that reasonably could require the Depositary to take, or plan to take, action under this Deposit Agreement (for example, but not by way of limitation, voting, distributions etc.), the Company shall transmit to the Depositary a copy thereof in English or with an English translation or summary. The Company has delivered to the Depositary, the Custodian and any Transfer Office, a copy of all provisions of or governing the Shares and any other Deposited Securities issued by the Company and, promptly upon any change thereto, the Company shall deliver to the Depositary, the Custodian and any Transfer Office, a copy (in English or with an English translation) of such provisions as so changed. The Depositary and its agents may rely upon the Company’s delivery of all such communications, information and provisions for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement and the Depositary shall have no liability for the accuracy or completeness of any thereof.

14. Additional Shares. The Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company nor any company controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company shall (a) issue (i) additional Shares, (ii) rights to subscribe for Shares, (iii) securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or (iv) rights to subscribe for any such securities or (b) deposit any Shares under this Deposit Agreement, except, in each case, under circumstances complying in all respects with the Securities Act of 1933 or by relying on an available exception thereunder. In the event of any issuance of additional securities the Company shall have no obligation to register such additional securities under the Securities Act of 1933 and, in lieu thereof, may rely on one or more exemptions from such registration. At the reasonable request of the Depositary where it deems necessary in the case of any issuance, subscription, conversion, exchange or deposit, the Company will furnish the Depositary with legal opinions, in forms and from counsels reasonably acceptable to the Depositary, dealing with such issues requested by the Depositary. The Depositary will not knowingly accept for deposit hereunder any Shares required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 unless a registration statement is in effect and will use reasonable efforts to comply with written instructions of the Company not to accept for deposit hereunder any Shares identified in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with the requirements of the laws, rules and regulations of Brazil and the United States, including, but not limited to, the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

15. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall indemnify, defend and save harmless each of the Depositary, the Custodian and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates against any loss, liability or expense (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which may arise out of acts performed or omitted, in connection with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and of the ADRs, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance herewith (i) by either the Depositary or a Custodian or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates; provided, however, no party seeking indemnification from the Company pursuant to this subsection (a) shall be entitled thereto to the extent the loss, liability or expense for which indemnification is to be sought directly arose out of the negligence or willful misconduct of such party acting hereunder in its capacity as Depositary, Custodian, or as a director, officer, employee, agent or affiliate of either of them (as applicable), or (ii) by the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates.

 

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The indemnities set forth in the preceding paragraph shall also apply to any liability or expense which may arise out of any misstatement or alleged misstatement or omission or alleged omission in any registration statement, proxy statement, prospectus (or placement memorandum), or preliminary prospectus (or preliminary placement memorandum) relating to the offer, issuance, withdrawal or sale of ADSs or the deposit of Shares in connection therewith, except to the extent any such liability or expense arises out of (i) information relating to the Depositary or its agents (other than the Company), as applicable, furnished in writing by the Depositary expressly for use in any of the foregoing documents and not changed or altered by the Company or any other person (other than the Depositary) or (ii) if such information is provided, the failure to state a material fact therein necessary to make the information provided, in light of the circumstance under which provided, not misleading.

(b) Indemnification by the Depositary. Subject to the limitations provided for in Section 15(c) below, the Depositary shall indemnify, defend and save harmless. (i) the Company and (ii) the Company’s directors, officers, employees and affiliates, in each case acting hereunder in their capacities as such on the Company’s behalf under this Deposit Agreement, against any direct loss, liability or expense (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Company in respect of this Deposit Agreement to the extent such loss, liability or expense is due to the negligence or willful misconduct of the Depositary.

(c) Special Damages or Lost Profits Notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement or the ADRs to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Depositary, nor any of their agents shall be liable to the other for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (excluding reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) or lost profits (collectively “Special Damages”) of any form incurred by any of them or any other person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought; provided, however, that to the extent Special Damages arise from or out of a claim brought by a third party (other than the Custodian and its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates), Holder(s) or Beneficial Owners against the Depositary or any of its agents acting under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary and its agents shall be entitled to full indemnification from the Company for all such Special Damages, unless such Special Damages are found to have been a direct result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Depositary.

(d) Any person seeking indemnification hereunder (an “indemnified person”) shall notify the person from whom it is seeking indemnification (the “indemnifying person”) of the commencement of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such indemnified person becomes aware of such commencement (provided that the failure to make such notification shall not affect such indemnified person’s rights except and only to the limited extent the indemnifying person is materially prejudiced by such failure) and shall consult in good faith with the indemnifying person as to the conduct of the defense of such action or claim, which shall be reasonable in the circumstances. No indemnified person shall compromise or settle any indemnifiable action or claim without the prior written consent of the indemnifying person (which consent shall not be unreasonably (from the point of view of the person seeking indemnification)) withheld or delayed unless (i) there is no finding or admission of any violation of law and no effect on any other claims that may be made against such indemnifying person and (ii) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the indemnified person (without indemnification hereunder by the indemnifying person) seeking such compromise or settlement.

(e) Survival. The obligations set forth in this Section 15 shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement and the succession or substitution of any indemnified person.

 

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16.  Notices.

(a) Notice to Holders. Notice to any Holder shall be deemed given when first mailed, first class postage prepaid, to the address of such Holder on the ADR Register or received by such Holder. Failure to notify a Holder or any defect in the notification to a Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of notification to other Holders or to the Beneficial Owners of ADSs evidenced by ADRs held by such other Holders. The Depositary’s only notification obligations under this Deposit Agreement and the ADRs shall be to Holders. Notice to a Holder shall be deemed, for all purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the ADRs, to constitute notice to any and all Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by such Holder’s ADRs.

(b) Notice to the Depositary or the Company. Notice to the Depositary or the Company shall be deemed given when first received by it at the address or facsimile transmission number set forth in (i) or (ii), respectively, or at such other address or facsimile transmission number as either may specify to the other by written notice:

 

  (i)

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11

New York, New York, 10179

Attention: Depositary Receipts Group

Fax: (302) 220-4591

 

  (ii)

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras

Avenida República do Chile, 65

20031-912 – Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil

Attention: Investor Relations Department

Phone: 55 21 3224 1510

17.  Counterparts. This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Deposit Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including “.pdf”, “.tif” or similar format) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

18.  No Third-Party Beneficiaries; Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect. This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the Company, the Depositary, the Holders, and their respective successors hereunder, and, except to the extent specifically set forth in Section 15 of this Deposit Agreement, shall not give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person. The Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time shall be parties to this Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the provisions hereof. A Beneficial Owner shall only be able to exercise any right or receive any benefit hereunder solely through the Holder of the ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs owned by such Beneficial Owner.

19.  Severability. If any provision of this Deposit Agreement or the ADRs is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall in no way be affected thereby.

20. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.

(a) The Deposit Agreement, the ADSs and the ADRs shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the application of the conflict of law principles thereof.

(b) By the Company. The Company irrevocably agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding against the Company brought by the Depositary or any Holder or Beneficial Owner, arising out of or based upon this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, may be instituted in any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York, and irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The Company also irrevocably agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding against the Depositary brought by the Company, arising out of or based upon this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs, the ADRs or the transactions contemplated herein, therein or hereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York.

 

 

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(c) By Holders and Beneficial Owners. By holding an ADS or an interest therein, Holders and Beneficial Owners each irrevocably agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving the Company or the Depositary, arising out of or based upon this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs, the ADRs or the transactions contemplated herein, therein or hereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York, and by holding an ADS or an interest therein each irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any suit, action or proceeding against the Company based on this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, may be instituted by the Depositary in any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York or, in the case of a suit, action or proceeding to enforce a New York based state or federal court ruling, order or judgement, in any competent court in the Federative Republic of Brazil and/or the United States.

21. Agent for Service.

(a) Appointment. The Company has appointed Petrobras America Inc, located at 10350 Richmond Ave., Suite 1400, Houston, Texas 77042 as its authorized agent (the “Authorized Agent”) upon which process may be served in any such suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based on this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs, the ADRs or the transactions contemplated herein, therein or hereby which may be instituted in any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York by the Depositary or any Holder, and waives any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. Subject to the Company’s rights to replace the Authorized Agent with another entity with, and at, an office in the United States, such appointment shall be irrevocable.

(b) Agent for Service of Process. The Company represents and warrants that the Authorized Agent has agreed to act as said agent for service of process, and the Company agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid. The Company further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents in any suit, action or proceeding against the Company, by service by mail of a copy thereof upon the Authorized Agent (whether or not the appointment of such Authorized Agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such Authorized Agent shall fail to accept or acknowledge such service), with a copy mailed to the Company by registered or certified air mail, postage prepaid, to its address provided in Section 16(b) hereof. The Company agrees that the failure of the Authorized Agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any suit, action or proceeding based thereon. If, for any reason, the Authorized Agent named above or its successor shall no longer serve as agent of the Company to receive service of process, summons, notices and documents , the Company shall promptly appoint a successor that is a legal entity with offices in the United States so as to serve and will promptly advise the Depositary thereof.

(c) Waiver of Personal Service of Process. In the event the Company fails to continue such designation and appointment in full force and effect, the Company, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, hereby waives personal service of process upon it and consents that any such service of process may be made by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, directed to the Company at its address last specified for notices hereunder, and service so made shall be deemed completed five (5) days after the same shall have been so mailed.

22. Waiver of Immunities. To the extent that the Company or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to, or have attributed to it, any right of immunity, on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise, from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any respect thereof, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from service of process, from attachment upon or prior to judgment, from attachment in aid of execution or judgment, or from execution of judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, in any jurisdiction in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or other matters under or arising out of or in connection with the Shares or Deposited Securities, the ADSs, the ADRs or this Deposit Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to plead or claim, any such immunity and consents to such relief and enforcement.

 

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23. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY TO THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER OF, AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN, ADSS OR ADRS) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY). No provision of this Deposit Agreement or any ADR is intended to constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which Holders or Beneficial Owners may have under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to the extent applicable.

24. Selection Process. The Company hereby confirms that the Depositary was selected in accordance with Brazilian Law 13.303/16 of June 30, 2016, (the “Public Company Law”) after the Company submitted a formal request for proposal to four banks for the right to serve as the depositary bank in connection with the ADSs. A bidding process was not required under the Public Company Law in connection with the Deposit Agreement.

25. Amendment and Restatement of Prior Deposit Agreement. The Deposit Agreement amends and restates the Prior Deposit Agreement in its entirety to consist exclusively of the Deposit Agreement, and each Prior Receipt is hereby deemed amended and restated to substantially conform to the form of ADR set forth in Exhibit A annexed hereto, except that, to the extent any portion of such amendment and restatement would impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders of Prior Receipts or Beneficial Owners of ADSs evidenced by such Prior Receipts, such portion shall not become effective as to such Holders or Beneficial Owners with respect to such Prior Receipts until 30 days after such Holders shall have received notice thereof, such notice to be conclusively deemed given upon the mailing to such Holders of notice of such amendment and restatement which notice contains a provision whereby such Holders can receive a copy of the form of ADR. Any further amendments and/or amendment and restatements hereof shall be subject to the provisions of paragraph (16) of the form of ADR (Amendment).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth and all Holders and Beneficial Owners shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of ADSs issued in accordance with the terms hereof, or upon acquisition of any beneficial interest therein.

 

PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
By:  

/s/ Carla Dodsworth Albano Miller

Name:   Carla Dodsworth Albano Miller
Title:   IR Executive Manager
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
By:  

/s/ Lisa M. Hayes

Name:   Lisa M. Hayes
Title:   Vice President

 

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EXHIBIT A

ANNEXED TO AND INCORPORATED IN

DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

[FORM OF FACE OF ADR]

 

                   

No. of ADSs:

Number

      
      

Each ADS represents

      

Two Shares

      

CUSIP:

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT

evidencing

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

representing

PREFERRED SHARES

of

PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS

(Incorporated under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil)

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary hereunder (the “Depositary”), hereby certifies that             is the registered owner (a “Holder”) of American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each (subject to paragraph (13) (Changes Affecting Deposited Securities)) representing two preferred shares (including the rights to receive Shares described in paragraph (1) (Issuance of ADSs), “Shares” and, together with any other securities, cash or property from time to time held by the Depositary in respect or in lieu of deposited Shares, the “Deposited Securities”), of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras, a corporation organized under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil (the “Company”), deposited under the Further Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement dated as of [DATE], 2019 (as amended from time to time, the “Deposit Agreement”) among the Company, the Depositary and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder (“ADRs”), each of whom by accepting an ADR becomes a party thereto. The Deposit Agreement and this ADR (which includes the provisions set forth on the reverse hereof) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the application of the conflict of law principles thereof. All capitalized terms used herein, and not defined herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.

 

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(1) Issuance of ADSs.

(a) Issuance. This ADR is one of the ADRs issued under the Deposit Agreement. Subject to the Deposit Agreement and the other provisions hereof, the Depositary may so issue ADRs for delivery at the Transfer Office (as hereinafter defined) only against deposit of: (i) Shares in a form satisfactory to the Custodian; or (ii) rights to receive Shares from the Company or any registrar, transfer agent, clearing agent or other entity recording Share ownership or transactions.

(b) Lending. In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs.

(c) Representations and Warranties of Depositors. Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement represents and warrants that:

 

  (i)

such Shares and the certificates therefor are duly authorized, validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, nonassessable and legally obtained by such person,

 

  (ii)

all pre-emptive and comparable rights, if any, with respect to such Shares have been validly waived or exercised,

 

  (iii)

the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do,

 

  (iv)

the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim and

 

  (v)

such Shares (A) are not “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Restricted Securities”) unless at the time of deposit the requirements of paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144 shall not apply and such Shares may be freely transferred and may otherwise be offered and sold freely in the United States or (B) have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933. To the extent the person depositing Shares is an “affiliate” of the Company as such term is defined in Rule 144, the person also represents and warrants that upon the sale of the ADSs, all of the provisions of Rule 144 which enable the Shares to be freely sold (in the form of ADSs) will be fully complied with and, as a result thereof, all of the ADSs issued in respect of such Shares will not be on the sale thereof, Restricted Securities.

Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares and the issuance and cancellation of ADSs in respect thereof and the transfer of such ADSs. If any of the representations or warranties are incorrect in any way, the Company and the Depositary may, at the cost of the breaching Holder and/or Beneficial Owner, and each of them, take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences of such misrepresentation.

(d) The Depositary may refuse to accept for such deposit any Shares identified by the Company in order to facilitate compliance with the requirements of the laws, rules and regulations of the United States, including, but not limited to, the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(2) Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. Subject to the Deposit Agreement and paragraphs (4) (Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc.) and (5) (Liability for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges) and to the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities (including the Company’s constituent documents or applicable law), upon surrender of (a) a certificated ADR in a form satisfactory to the Depositary at the Transfer Office or (b) proper instructions and documentation in the case of a Direct Registration ADR, the Holder hereof is entitled to delivery at, or to the extent in dematerialized form from, the Custodian’s office of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the ADSs evidenced by this ADR. At the request, risk and expense of the Holder hereof, the Depositary may deliver such Deposited Securities at such other place as may have been requested by the Holder. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR, the withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be restricted only for the reasons set forth in General Instruction I.A.(1) of Form F-6 (as such instructions may be amended from time to time) under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

 

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(3)  Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of ADRs. The Depositary or its agent will keep, at a designated transfer office (the “Transfer Office”), (i) a register (the “ADR Register”) for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs, and, in the case of Direct Registration ADRs, shall include the Direct Registration System, which at all reasonable times will be open for inspection by Holders and the Company for the purpose of communicating with Holders in the interest of the business of the Company or a matter relating to the Deposit Agreement and (ii) facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs. The term ADR Register includes the Direct Registration System. Title to this ADR (and to the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby), when properly endorsed (in the case of ADRs in certificated form) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer, is transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of negotiable instruments under the laws of the State of New York; provided that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the person in whose name this ADR is registered on the ADR Register as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Company will have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or any ADR to any Beneficial Owner, unless such Beneficial Owner is the Holder hereof. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), this ADR is transferable on the ADR Register and may be split into other ADRs or combined with other ADRs into one ADR, evidencing the aggregate number of ADSs surrendered for split-up or combination, by the Holder hereof or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this ADR at the Transfer Office properly endorsed (in the case of ADRs in certificated form) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer and duly stamped as may be required by applicable law; provided that the Depositary may close the ADR Register (and/or any portion thereof) at any time or from time to time when deemed expedient by it, and it may also close the issuance book portion of the ADR Register when reasonably requested by the Company solely in order to enable the Company to comply with applicable law. At the request of a Holder, the Depositary shall, for the purpose of substituting a certificated ADR with a Direct Registration ADR, or vice versa, execute and deliver a certificated ADR or a Direct Registration ADR, as the case may be, for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the certificated ADR or Direct Registration ADR, as the case may be, substituted.

(4) Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc. Prior to the issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of any ADR, the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, and from time to time in the case of clause (b)(ii) of this paragraph (4), the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian may require:

(a) payment with respect thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable charges as provided in paragraph (7) (Charges of Depositary) of this ADR;

(b) the production of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity of any signatory and genuineness of any signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial or other ownership of any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and terms of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, as it may deem necessary or proper; and

(c) compliance with such regulations as the Depositary may establish consistent with the Deposit Agreement and any regulations which the Depositary is informed of in writing by the Company which are required by the Depositary, the Company or the Custodian to facilitate compliance with any applicable rules or regulations of the Central Bank or CVM.

The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of Shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), the withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR Register or any register for Deposited Securities is closed or when any such action is deemed advisable by the Depositary.

 

 

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(5) Liability for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges. If any tax or other governmental charges (including any penalties and/or interest) shall become payable by or on behalf of the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to this ADR, any Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby or any distribution thereon, such tax or other governmental charge shall be paid by the Holder hereof to the Depositary and by holding or having held this ADR or any ADSs evidenced hereby, the Holder and all Beneficial Owners hereof and thereof, and all prior Holders and Beneficial Owners hereof and thereof, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and save harmless each of the Depositary and its agents in respect of such tax or other governmental charge. Each Holder of this ADR and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs evidenced hereby, and each prior Holder and Beneficial Owner hereof and thereof (collectively, the “Tax Indemnitors”), by holding or having held an ADR or an interest in ADSs, acknowledges and agrees that the Depositary shall have the right to seek payment of amounts owing with respect to this ADR under this paragraph (5) from any one or more Tax Indemnitor(s) as determined by the Depositary in its sole discretion, without any obligation to seek payment from any other Tax Indemnitor(s). The Depositary may refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination hereof or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), any withdrawal of such Deposited Securities until such payment is made. The Depositary may also deduct from any distributions on or in respect of Deposited Securities, or may sell by public or private sale for the account of the Holder hereof any part or all of such Deposited Securities, and may apply such deduction or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge, the Holder hereof remaining liable for any deficiency, and shall reduce the number of ADSs evidenced hereby to reflect any such sales of Shares. In connection with any distribution to Holders, the Company will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld and owing to such authority or agency by the Company; and the Depositary and the Custodian will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld and owing to such authority or agency by the Depositary or the Custodian. The Depositary will forward to the Company such information from its transfer records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent (other than the Depositary) to file any necessary reports with governmental authorities or agencies, and either the Company or the Depositary, or their respective agents, may, but none of them shall have any obligation to, file any such reports necessary to obtain benefits under any applicable tax treaties for Holders. If the Depositary determines that any distribution in property other than cash (including Shares or rights) on Deposited Securities is subject to any tax that the Depositary or the Custodian is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes, by public or private sale, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the Holders entitled thereto. Each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian and any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained. The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners under this paragraph (5) shall survive any transfer of ADSs, any surrender of ADSs and withdrawal of Deposited Securities and any termination of the Deposit Agreement.

(6) Disclosure of Interests. To the extent that the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities or the Company’s constituent documents may require disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of, or interests in, Deposited Securities, other Shares and other securities and may provide for blocking transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits, Holders and Beneficial Owners agree to comply with all such disclosure requirements, including without limitation, requirements of Brazilian law, including the rules and requirements of the Central Bank and ownership limitations and to comply with any reasonable Company instructions and requests in respect thereof, including, without limitation, requests for information as to the identity of any holder of an interest in this ADR and the nature of such interest, whether or not such Holder continues to hold such interest at the time of the request. The Company reserves the right to instruct Holders (and through any such Holder, the Beneficial Owners of ADSs evidenced by the ADRs registered in such Holder’s name) to deliver their ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities so as to permit the Company to deal directly with the Holder and/or Beneficial Owner thereof as a holder of Shares and Holders and Beneficial Owners agree to comply with such instructions. The Depositary agrees to cooperate with the Company in its efforts to inform Holders of the Company’s exercise of its rights under this paragraph and agrees to consult with, and provide reasonable assistance without risk, liability or expense on the part of the Depositary, to the Company on the manner or manners in which it may enforce such rights with respect to any Holder, provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, the Depositary shall be indemnified by the Company in connection with the foregoing.

 

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(7) Charges of Depositary.

(a) Rights of the Depositary. The Depositary may charge, and collect from, (i) each person to whom ADSs are issued, including, without limitation, issuances against deposits of Shares, issuances in respect of Share Distributions, Rights and Other Distributions (as such terms are defined in paragraph (10) (Distributions on Deposited Securities)), issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company, or issuances pursuant to a merger, exchange of securities or any other transaction or event affecting the ADSs or the Deposited Securities, and (ii) each person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities or whose ADSs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason U.S.$5.00 or less for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued, delivered, reduced, cancelled or surrendered (as the case may be). The Depositary may sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and property received in respect of Share Distributions, Rights and Other Distributions prior to such deposit to pay such charge.

(b) Additional charges by the Depositary. The following additional charges shall also be incurred by the Holders, the Beneficial Owners, by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering ADSs and/or to whom ADSs are issued (including, without limitation, issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the ADSs or the Deposited Securities or a distribution of ADSs pursuant to paragraph (10) (Distributions on Deposited Securities), whichever is applicable:

 

  (i)

a fee of U.S.$0.05 or less per ADS held (i) upon which any Cash distribution is made pursuant to the Deposit Agreement or (ii) in the case of an elective cash/stock dividend, upon which a Cash distribution or an issuance of additional ADSs is made as a result of such elective dividend,

 

  (ii)

a fee for the distribution or sale of securities pursuant to paragraph (10) hereof, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (for purposes of this paragraph (7) treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities or the net cash proceeds from the sale thereof are instead distributed by the Depositary to Holders entitled thereto,

 

  (iii)

an aggregate fee of U.S.$0.05 or less per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof) for services performed by the Depositary in administering the ADRs (which fee may be charged on a periodic basis during each calendar year and shall be assessed against Holders as of the record date or record dates set by the Depositary during each calendar year and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions), and

 

  (iv)

a fee for the reimbursement of such fees, charges and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary and/or any of its agents (including, without limitation, the Custodian and expenses incurred on behalf of Holders in connection with compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in connection with the servicing of the Shares or other Deposited Securities, the holding of foreign currency, the sale of securities (including, without limitation, Deposited Securities), the delivery of Deposited Securities or otherwise in connection with the Depositary’s or its Custodian’s compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation (which fees and charges shall be assessed on a proportionate basis against Holders as of the record date or dates set by the Depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions), including, without limitation, any amounts charged by any governmental authorities or other institutions such as the Brazilian Clearing and Depository Corporation (Companhia Brasileira de Liquidação e Custódia) or the B3 S.A. – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão, the stock exchange on which the Shares are registered for trading.

(c) Other Obligations and Charges. The Company will pay all other charges and expenses of the Depositary and any agent of the Depositary (except the Custodian) pursuant to agreements from time to time between the Company and the Depositary, except:

 

  (i)

stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges (which are payable by Holders or persons depositing Shares);

 

  (ii)

SWIFT, cable, telex, electronic and facsimile transmission and delivery charges incurred at the request of persons depositing, or Holders delivering Shares, ADRs or Deposited Securities (which are payable by such persons or Holders); and

 

 

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  (iii)

transfer or registration fees for the registration or transfer of Deposited Securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of Deposited Securities (which are payable by persons depositing Shares or Holders withdrawing Deposited Securities).

(d) Foreign Exchange Related Matters. To facilitate the administration of various depositary receipt transactions, including disbursement of dividends or other cash distributions and other corporate actions, the Depositary may engage the foreign exchange desk within JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”) and/or its affiliates in order to enter into spot foreign exchange transactions to convert foreign currency into U.S. dollars (“FX Transactions”). For certain currencies, FX Transactions are entered into with the Bank or an affiliate, as the case may be, acting in a principal capacity. For other currencies, FX Transactions are routed directly to and managed by an unaffiliated local custodian (or other third party local liquidity provider), and neither the Bank nor any of its affiliates is a party to such FX Transactions.

The foreign exchange rate applied to an FX Transaction will be either (a) a published benchmark rate, or (b) a rate determined by a third party local liquidity provider, in each case plus or minus a spread, as applicable. The Depositary will disclose which foreign exchange rate and spread, if any, apply to such currency on the “Disclosure” page (or successor page) of www.adr.com (as updated by the Depositary from time to time, “ADR.com”). Such applicable foreign exchange rate and spread may (and neither the Depositary, the Bank nor any of their affiliates is under any obligation to ensure that such rate does not) differ from rates and spreads at which comparable transactions are entered into with other customers or the range of foreign exchange rates and spreads at which the Bank or any of its affiliates enters into foreign exchange transactions in the relevant currency pair on the date of the FX Transaction. Additionally, the timing of execution of an FX Transaction varies according to local market dynamics, which may include regulatory requirements, market hours and liquidity in the foreign exchange market or other factors. Furthermore, the Bank and its affiliates may manage the associated risks of their position in the market in a manner they deem appropriate without regard to the impact of such activities on the Company, the Depositary, Holders or Beneficial Owners. The spread applied does not reflect any gains or losses that may be earned or incurred by the Bank and its affiliates as a result of risk management or other hedging related activity.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Company provides U.S. dollars to the Depositary, neither the Bank nor any of its affiliates will execute an FX Transaction as set forth herein. In such case, the Depositary will distribute the U.S. dollars received from the Company.

Further details relating to the applicable foreign exchange rate, the applicable spread and the execution of FX Transactions will be provided by the Depositary on ADR.com. The Company, Holders and Beneficial Owners each acknowledge and agree that the terms applicable to FX Transactions disclosed from time to time on ADR.com will apply to any FX Transaction executed pursuant to the Deposit Agreement.

(e) Disclosure of Potential Depositary Payments. The Depositary anticipates reimbursing the Company for certain expenses incurred by the Company that are related to the establishment and maintenance of the ADR program upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time. The Depositary may make available to the Company a set amount or a portion of the Depositary fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time.

(f) The right of the Depositary to charge and receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive the termination of the Deposit Agreement. As to any Depositary, upon the resignation or removal of such Depositary, such right shall extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness of such resignation or removal.

 

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(8) Available Information. The Deposit Agreement, the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and any written communications from the Company, which are both received by the Custodian or its nominee as a holder of Deposited Securities and made generally available to the holders of Deposited Securities, are available for inspection by Holders at the offices of the Depositary and the Custodian, at the Transfer Office, on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website, or upon request from the Depositary (which request may be refused by the Depositary at its discretion). The Depositary will distribute copies of such communications (or English translations or summaries thereof) to Holders when furnished by the Company. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and accordingly files certain reports with the Commission. Such reports and other information may be inspected and copied through the Commission’s EDGAR system.

(9) Execution. This ADR shall not be valid for any purpose unless executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary.

Dated:

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Depositary
By  

             

Authorized Officer

The Depositary’s office is located at 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11, New York, New York 10179.

 

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[FORM OF REVERSE OF ADR]

(10) Distributions on Deposited Securities. Subject to paragraphs (4) (Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc.) and (5) (Liability for Taxes, Duties and other Charges) and any restrictions imposed by Brazilian law, rule, regulation or applicable permit, to the extent practicable, the Depositary will distribute to each Holder entitled thereto on the record date set by the Depositary therefor at such Holder’s address shown on the ADR Register, in proportion to the number of Deposited Securities (on which the following distributions on Deposited Securities are received by the Custodian) represented by ADSs evidenced by such Holder’s ADRs:

(a) Cash. Any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or portion thereof authorized in this paragraph (10) (“Cash”), on an averaged or other practicable basis, subject to (i) appropriate adjustments for taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable with respect to certain Holders, and (iii) deduction of the Depositary’s and/or its agents’ fees and expenses in (1) converting any foreign currency to U.S. dollars by sale or in such other manner as the Depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the United States by such means as the Depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made on a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. If the Company shall have advised the Depositary pursuant to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement that any such conversion, transfer or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of the Brazilian government or any agency thereof or the Depositary shall become aware of any other governmental approval or license required therefor, the Depositary may, in its discretion, apply for such approval or license, if any, as the Company or its Brazilian counsel may reasonably instruct in writing or as the Depositary may deem desirable including, without limitation, Central Bank registration.

(b) Shares. (i) Additional ADRs evidencing whole ADSs representing any Shares available to the Depositary resulting from a dividend or free distribution on Deposited Securities consisting of Shares (a “Share Distribution”) and (ii) U.S. dollars available to it resulting from the net proceeds of sales of Shares received in a Share Distribution, which Shares would give rise to fractional ADSs if additional ADRs were issued therefor, as in the case of Cash. The Depositary shall use reasonable endeavors to collect any fees, taxes and/or charges owing in connection with a Share Distribution from Holders before making any claims hereunder against the Company.

(c) Rights. (i) Warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the Depositary representing rights to acquire additional ADRs in respect of any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or rights of any nature available to the Depositary as a result of a distribution on Deposited Securities (“Rights”), to the extent that the Company timely furnishes to the Depositary evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that the Depositary may lawfully distribute the same (the Company has no obligation to so furnish such evidence), or (ii) to the extent the Company does not so furnish such evidence and sales of Rights are practicable, any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary from the net proceeds of sales of Rights as in the case of Cash, or (iii) to the extent the Company does not so furnish such evidence and such sales cannot practicably be accomplished by reason of the nontransferability of the Rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, nothing (and any Rights may lapse).

(d) Other Distributions. (i) Securities or property available to the Depositary resulting from any distribution on Deposited Securities other than Cash, Share Distributions and Rights (“Other Distributions”), by any means that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable, or (ii) to the extent the Depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary from the net proceeds of sales of Other Distributions as in the case of Cash.

 

 

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(e) Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. Whenever the Company intends to distribute a dividend payable at the election of the holders of Shares in cash or in additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders. Upon receipt of notice indicating that the Company wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine, and the Company shall assist the Depositary in its determination, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such elective distribution available to Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that the elective distribution is available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable and (iii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 14 of the Deposit Agreement including, without limitation, any legal opinions of counsel in any applicable jurisdiction that the Depositary in its reasonable discretion may request, at the expense of the Company. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares. If the above conditions are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish a record date and establish procedures to enable Holders to elect the receipt of the proposed dividend in cash or in additional ADSs. The Company shall assist the Depositary in establishing such procedures to the extent necessary. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to Holders a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that Holders or Beneficial Owners generally, or any Holder and/or Beneficial Owner in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.

(f) The Depositary reserves the right to utilize a division, branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities hereunder. Such division, branch and/or affiliate may charge the Depositary a fee in connection with such sales, which fee is considered an expense of the Depositary contemplated above and/or under paragraph (7) (Charges of Depositary). Any U.S. dollars available will be distributed by checks drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents. Fractional cents will be withheld without liability and dealt with by the Depositary in accordance with its then current practices. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the Depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth in the “Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security” section of https://www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs, the location and contents of which the Depositary shall be solely responsible for.

(11) Record Dates. The Depositary may, after consultation with the Company if practicable, fix a record date (which, to the extent applicable, shall be as near as practicable to any corresponding record date set by the Company) for the determination of the Holders who shall be responsible for the fee assessed by the Depositary for administration of the ADR program and for any expenses provided for in paragraph (7) hereof as well as for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive any distribution on or in respect of Deposited Securities, to give instructions for the exercise of any voting rights, to receive any notice or to act or be obligated in respect of other matters and only such Holders shall be so entitled or obligated.

(12) Voting of Deposited Securities.

(a) Notice of any Meeting or Solicitation. As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which holders of Shares are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS record date in accordance with paragraph (11) above and distribute to Holders a notice (the “Voting Notice”) stating (i) final information particular to such vote and meeting and any solicitation materials, (ii) that each Holder on the record date set by the Depositary will, subject to any applicable provisions of Brazilian law, rule or regulation and the Company’s constituent documents, be entitled to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such Holder’s ADRs and (iii) the manner in which such instructions may be given, including instructions to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company. Each Holder shall be solely responsible for the forwarding of Voting Notices to the Beneficial Owners of ADSs registered in such Holder’s name. There is no guarantee that Holders and Beneficial Owners generally or any Holder or Beneficial Owner in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable such Holder or Beneficial Owner to return any voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner. In order to give Beneficial Owners a reasonable opportunity to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to Deposited Securities, if the Company will request the Depositary to act under this Section, the Company shall give the Depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon not less than 30 days prior to the meeting date.

 

 

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(b) Voting of Deposited Securities. Following actual receipt by the ADR department responsible for proxies and voting of Holders’ instructions (including, without limitation, instructions of any entity or entities acting on behalf of the nominee for DTC), the Depositary shall, in the manner and on or before the time established by the Depositary for such purpose, endeavor to vote or cause to be voted the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such Holders’ ADRs in accordance with such instructions insofar as practicable and permitted under the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities. The Depositary will not itself exercise any voting discretion in respect of any Deposited Securities. Without limiting any of the foregoing, to the extent the Depositary does not receive voting instructions with respect to any one or more ADSs, the Depositary shall take such actions as are necessary, upon the written request of the Company and subject to applicable law and the terms of the Shares, to cause the amount of Shares represented by such ADSs to be counted for the purpose of satisfying applicable quorum requirements, provided, however that the Depositary shall not represent or present for quorum purposes any Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which voting instructions were not received unless and until the Depositary has been provided with an opinion of internal or external counsel to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that (i) the representation and presentation of such Deposited Securities for purposes of establishing a quorum does not subject the Depositary to any reporting obligations under Brazilian law, rule or regulation, (ii) the presentation of such Deposited Securities will not result in a violation of Brazilian law, rule, regulation or permit, (iii) the voting arrangement as contemplated herein will be given effect under Brazilian laws, rules and regulations and (iv) the voting arrangement contemplated herein will not be construed to be an exercise of voting discretion by the Depositary and the Depositary will not be considered to be an owner of the Deposited Securities as a result of its presentation of Deposited Securities in accordance with this voting arrangement.

(c)  Alternative Methods of Distributing Materials. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, the Depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by any law, rule or regulation or the rules and/or requirements of the stock exchange on which the ADSs are listed, in lieu of distribution of the materials provided to the Depositary in connection with any meeting of or solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, distribute to the Holders a notice that provides Holders with or otherwise publicizes to Holders instructions on how to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon request (i.e., by reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials). Holders are strongly encouraged to forward their voting instructions as soon as possible. Voting instructions will not be deemed received until such time as the ADR department responsible for proxies and voting has received such instructions, notwithstanding that such instructions may have been physically received by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Depositary, prior to such time.

(13) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities.

(a) Subject to paragraphs (4) (Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc.) and (5) (Liability for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges), the Depositary may, in its discretion, and shall if reasonably requested by the Company, amend this ADR or distribute additional or amended ADRs (with or without calling this ADR for exchange) or cash, securities or property on the record date set by the Depositary therefor to reflect any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification of Deposited Securities, any Share Distribution or Other Distribution not distributed to Holders or any cash, securities or property available to the Depositary in respect of Deposited Securities from (and the Depositary is hereby authorized to surrender any Deposited Securities to any person and, irrespective of whether such Deposited Securities are surrendered or otherwise cancelled by operation of law, rule, regulation or otherwise, to sell by public or private sale any property received in connection with) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company.

(b) To the extent the Depositary does not so amend this ADR or make a distribution to Holders to reflect any of the foregoing, or the net proceeds thereof, whatever cash, securities or property results from any of the foregoing shall constitute Deposited Securities and each ADS evidenced by this ADR shall automatically represent its pro rata interest in the Deposited Securities as then constituted.

 

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(c) Promptly upon the occurrence of any of the aforementioned changes affecting Deposited Securities, the Company shall notify the Depositary in writing of such occurrence and as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice from the Company, may instruct the Depositary to give notice thereof, at the Company’s expense, to Holders in accordance with the provisions hereof. Upon receipt of such instruction, the Depositary shall give notice to the Holders in accordance with the terms thereof, as soon as reasonably practicable.

(14) Exoneration.

(a) The Depositary, the Company, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates and each of them shall: (i) incur no liability to Holders or Beneficial Owners (A) if any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, the Federative Republic of Brazil or any other country or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or any securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities, any present or future provision of the Company’s constituent documents, any act of God, war, terrorism, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions, computer failure or circumstance beyond its direct and immediate control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause any of them to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with, any act which the Deposit Agreement or this ADR provides shall be done or performed by it or them (including, without limitation, voting pursuant to paragraph (12) hereof), or (B) by reason of any non-performance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or things which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed or any exercise or failure to exercise any discretion given it in the Deposit Agreement or this ADR (including, without limitation, any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable); (ii) not incur or assume any liability to Holders or Beneficial Owners except to perform its obligations to the extent they are specifically set forth in this ADR and the Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or willful misconduct and the Depositary shall not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to Holders or Beneficial Owners; (iii) for the inability of any Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from, or participate in, any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Shares but is not made available to Holders hereunder, (iv) in the case of the Depositary and its agents, be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities, ADSs or this ADR; (v) in the case of the Company and its agents hereunder be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or this ADR, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability be furnished as often as may be required; and (vi) not be liable to Holders or Beneficial Owners for any action or inaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information, or in the case of the Depositary only, the Company. The Depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions made by, or the insolvency of, any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system.

 

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(b) The Depositary. The Depositary shall not have any liability for the price received in connection with any sale of securities, the timing thereof or any delay in action or omission to act nor shall it be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party so retained in connection with any such sale or proposed sale. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Deposit Agreement (including the ADRs), subject to the further limitations set forth in subparagraph (q) of this paragraph (14), the Depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, (a) the insolvency of any Custodian that is not a branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or (b) any act or omission to act on the part of the Custodian except to the extent that any Holder has incurred liability directly as a result of the Custodian having (i) committed fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services to the Depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to the Depositary as determined in accordance with the standards prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the Custodian is located.

(c) The Depositary, its agents and the Company may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by them to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.

(d) The Depositary shall be under no obligation to inform Holders or Beneficial Owners about the requirements of the laws, rules or regulations or any changes therein or thereto of any country or jurisdiction or of any governmental or regulatory authority or any securities exchange or market or automated quotation system.

(e) The Depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast, including without limitation any vote cast by a person to whom the Depositary is required to grant a discretionary proxy pursuant to paragraph (12) hereof, or for the effect of any such vote.

(f) The Depositary may rely upon instructions from the Company or its counsel in respect of any approval or license required for any currency conversion, transfer or distribution.

(g) The Depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in ADRs.

(h) Notwithstanding anything else contained herein or in the Prior Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall have no liability or responsibility under the Deposit Agreement, any ADR or any related agreement, for any period prior to the effective date of the Deposit Agreement or for any act or omission of the predecessor to the Depositary or any of its agents (including the Custodian as defined in the Prior Deposit Agreement), under or in connection with this Deposit Agreement, any ADRs or any related agreement.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Deposit Agreement or an ADR, the Depositary and its agents may fully respond to any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf in connection with the Deposit Agreement, any Holder or Holders, any ADR or ADRs or otherwise related hereto or thereto to the extent such information is requested or required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation laws, rules, regulations, administrative or judicial process, banking, securities or other regulators.

(j) None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be liable for the failure by any Holder or Beneficial Owner to obtain the benefits of credits or refunds of non-U.S. tax paid against such Holder’s or Beneficial Owner’s income tax liability.

(k) The Depositary is under no obligation to provide the Holders and Beneficial Owners, or any of them, with any information about the tax status of the Company. The Depositary and the Company shall not incur any liability for any tax or tax consequences that may be incurred by Holders and Beneficial Owners on account of their ownership or disposition of the ADRs or ADSs.

(l) The Depositary shall not incur any liability for the content of any information submitted to it by or on behalf of the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company.

 

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(m) Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the Depositary and the Custodian(s) may use third party delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as pricing, proxy voting, corporate actions, class action litigation and other services in connection herewith and the Deposit Agreement, and use local agents to provide extraordinary services such as attendance at annual meetings of issuers of securities. Although the Depositary and the Custodian will use reasonable care (and cause their agents to use reasonable care) in the selection and retention of such third-party providers and local agents, they will not be responsible for any errors or omissions made by them in providing the relevant information or services.

(n) The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary.

(o) By holding an ADS or an interest therein, Holders and Beneficial Owners each irrevocably agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving the Company or the Depositary, arising out of or based upon the Deposit Agreement, the ADSs or the transactions contemplated herein, therein or hereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and by holding an ADS or an interest therein each irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

(p) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Depositary and its agents under certain circumstances and the Depositary has agreed to indemnify the Company under certain circumstances.

(q) Neither the Depositary nor any of its agents shall be liable to Holders or Beneficial Owners for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) or lost profits, in each case of any form incurred by any person or entity (including, without limitation, Holders and Beneficial Owners), whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought.

(r) No provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR is intended to constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which Holders or Beneficial Owners may have under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to the extent applicable.

(15) Resignation and Removal of Depositary; the Custodian.

(a) Resignation. The Depositary may resign as Depositary by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement.

(b) Removal. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by no less than 60 days’ prior written notice of such removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 60th day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement.

(c) The Custodian. The Depositary may appoint substitute or additional Custodians (to the extent multiple Custodians are permitted under law) and the term “Custodian” refers to each Custodian or all Custodians as the context requires; provided, however, that at no time without the proper Brazilian governmental approvals shall the Depositary have more than one Custodian acting for it hereunder.

 

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(16) Amendment. Subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), the ADRs and the Deposit Agreement may be amended by the Company and the Depositary, provided that any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges on a per ADS basis (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, SWIFT, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or that shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall become effective 30 days after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Holders. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment to the Deposit Agreement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADR, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Holder of any ADR to surrender such ADR and receive the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or (b) the ADSs or Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body or regulatory body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the ADR at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of ADRs shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders and Beneficial Owners to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Commission’s, the Depositary’s or the Company’s website or upon request from the Depositary).

(17) Termination. The Depositary may, and shall at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement and this ADR by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the Depositary shall have (i) resigned as Depositary hereunder, notice of such termination by the Depositary shall not be provided to Holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating hereunder within 60 days of the date of such resignation, or (ii) been removed as Depositary hereunder, notice of such termination by the Depositary shall not be provided to Holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating hereunder on the 60th day after the Company’s notice of removal was first provided to the Depositary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement without notice to the Company, but subject to giving 30 days’ notice to the Holders, under the following circumstances: (i) in the event of the Company’s bankruptcy or insolvency, (ii) if the Shares cease to be listed on an internationally recognized stock exchange, (iii) if the Company effects (or will effect) a redemption of all or substantially all of the Deposited Securities, or a cash or share distribution representing a return of all or substantially all of the value of the Deposited Securities, or (iv) there occurs a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other transaction as a result of which securities or other property are delivered in exchange for or in lieu of Deposited Securities.

After the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary and its agents will perform no further acts under the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, except to receive and hold (or sell) distributions on Deposited Securities and deliver Deposited Securities being withdrawn. As soon as practicable after the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to sell the Deposited Securities and shall thereafter (as long as it may lawfully do so) hold in an account (which may be a segregated or unsegregated account) the net proceeds of such sales, together with any other cash then held by it under the Deposit Agreement, without liability for interest, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of ADRs not theretofore surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations in respect of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash. After the date so fixed for termination, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary and its agents.

 

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(18) Appointment; Acknowledgements and Agreements. Each Holder and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs or ADRs (or any interest in any of them) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof, and (c) acknowledge and agree that (i) nothing in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR shall give rise to a partnership or joint venture among the parties thereto nor establish a fiduciary or similar relationship among such parties, (ii) the Depositary, its divisions, branches and affiliates, and their respective agents, may from time to time be in the possession of non-public information about the Company, Holders, Beneficial Owners and/or their respective affiliates, (iii) the Depositary and its divisions, branches and affiliates may at any time have multiple banking relationships with the Company, Holders, Beneficial Owners and/or the affiliates of any of them, (iv) the Depositary and its divisions, branches and affiliates may, from time to time, be engaged in transactions in which parties adverse to the Company or the Holders or Beneficial Owners may have interests, (v) nothing contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR(s) shall (A) preclude the Depositary or any of its divisions, branches or affiliates from engaging in such transactions or establishing or maintaining such relationships, or (B) obligate the Depositary or any of its divisions, branches or affiliates to disclose such transactions or relationships or to account for any profit made or payment received in such transactions or relationships, (vi) the Depositary shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any information held by any branch, division or affiliate of the Depositary and (vii) notice to a Holder shall be deemed, for all purposes of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, to constitute notice to any and all Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by such Holder’s ADRs. For all purposes under the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, the Holder hereof shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on behalf of any and all Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by this ADR.

(19) Waiver. EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER OF, AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN, ADSS OR ADRS) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY).

 

A-15

Exhibit 8.1

 

LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

 

List of our subsidiaries:

         

Subsidiaries

   Total
Capital
    Voting
Capital
    Country of
Incorporation
     Activity  

Petrobras International Braspetro—PIB BV (i)

     100,00     100,00     Netherlands        Several (ii)  

Petrobras Transporte S.A.—Transpetro

     100,00     100,00     Brazil        RT&M  

Petrobras Logística de Exploração e Produção S.A. —PB—LOG

     100,00     100,00     Brazil        E&P  

Petrobras Gás S.A.—Gaspetro

     51,00     51,00     Brazil        Gas & Power  

Petrobras Biocombustível S.A.

     100,00     100,00     Brazil        Corporate, others  

Liquigás Distribuidora S.A.

     100,00     100,00     Brazil        RT&M  

Araucária Nitrogenados S.A.

     100,00     100,00     Brazil        Gas & Power  

Termomacaé S.A.

     100,00     100,00     Brazil        Gas & Power  

Braspetro Oil Services Company—Brasoil (i)

     100,00     100,00     Cayman Islands        Corporate, others  

Breitener Energética S.A.

     93,66     93,66     Brazil        Gas & Power  

Termobahia S.A.

     98,85     98,85     Brazil        Gas & Power  

Baixada Santista Energia S.A.

     100,00     100,00     Brazil        Gas & Power  

Petrobras Comercializadora de Energia Ltda.—PBEN

     100,00     100,00     Brazil        Gas & Power  

Fundo de Investimento Imobiliário RB Logística—FII

     99,20     99,20     Brazil        E&P  

Petrobras Negócios Eletrônicos S.A.—E-Petro

     100,00     100,00     Brazil        Corporate, others  

Termomacaé Comercializadora de Energia S.A.

     100,00     100,00     Brazil        Gas & Power  

5283 Participações Ltda.

     100,00     100,00     Brazil        Corporate, others  

Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolívia—Brasil S.A.—TBG

     51,00     51,00     Brazil        Gas & Power  

 

Joint Operations

   Total
Capital
    Voting
Capital
    Country of
Incorporation
   Activity

Fábrica Carioca de Catalizadores S.A.—FCC

     50,00     50,00   Brazil    RT&M

Ibiritermo S.A.

     50,00     50,00   Brazil    Gas & Power

 

Consolidated Structured Entities

   Total
Capital
    Voting
Capital
    Country of
Incorporation
   Activity

Charter Development LLC – CDC

     0,00     0,00   U.S.    E&P

Companhia de Desenvolvimento e Modernização de Plantas Industriais —CDMPI

     0,00     0,00   Brazil    RT&M

Fundo de Investimento em Direitos Creditórios Não-padronizados do Sistema Petrobras

     0,00     0,00   Brazil    Corporate, others

 

 

(i)

Companies abroad with financial statements prepared in foreign currencies.

(ii)

Cover segments abroad in E&P, RT&M, Gas & Power segments.

Exhibit 12.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) AS ADOPTED

UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

I, Roberto da Cunha Castello Branco, certify that:

 

  1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – PETROBRAS (the “Company”);

 

  2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4.

The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

 

  (a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5.

The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

     

/s/ Roberto da Cunha Castello Branco

Date: Date: March 20, 2020.      

Roberto da Cunha Castello Branco

     

Chief Executive Officer


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) AS ADOPTED

UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

I, Andrea Marques de Almeida, certify that:

 

  1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – PETROBRAS (the “Company”);

 

  2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4.

The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

 

  (a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5.

The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

     

/s/ Andrea Marques de Almeida

Date: March 20, 2020      

Andrea Marques de Almeida

     

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investor Relations Officer

Exhibit 13.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—PETROBRAS (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

The Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 of the Company fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form 20-F fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

  

/s/ Roberto da Cunha Castello Branco

  

 

Date: March 20, 2020

  

Roberto da Cunha Castello Branco

  

Chief Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—PETROBRAS (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

The Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 of the Company fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form 20-F fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

     

/s/ Andrea Marques de Almeida

Date: March 20, 2020      

Andrea Marques de Almeida

     

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investor Relations Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Exhibit 15.1

 

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KPMG Auditores Independentes

Rua do Passeio, 38, Setor 2, 17º andar – Centro

20021-290 – Rio de Janeiro/RJ—Brasil

Caixa Postal 2888—CEP 20001-970—Rio de Janeiro/RJ—Brasil

Telefone +55 (21) 2207-9400

kpmg.com.br

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.

We consent to the use and incorporation by reference in the registration statements (File Nos. 333- 229096-01 and 333-229096) on Form F-3 of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras and Petrobras Global Finance B.V., respectively, of our report dated February 19, 2020, with respect to the consolidated statement of financial position of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively the “consolidated financial statements”), and of our report dated March 20, 2020, with respect to the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, which reports appear in the December 31, 2019 annual report on Form 20-F of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras. Our report refers to a change in the method of accounting for lease arrangements as of January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of IFRS 16 “Leases”.

/s/ KPMG Auditores Independentes

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

March 20, 2020

 

KPMG Auditores Independentes, uma sociedade simples brasileira e firma-membro da rede KPMG de firmas-membro independentes e afiliadas à KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), uma entidade suíça.    KPMG Auditores Independentes, a Brazilian entity and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.

Exhibit 15.2

DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

March 20, 2020

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.

Av. República do Chile 330

9th Floor – Centro

CEP 20031-170

Rio de Janeiro – RJ-Brazil

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We hereby consent to the references to DeGolyer and MacNaughton as set forth under the headings “Our Business–Exploration and Production–Reserves” and “Additional Information” in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras (Petrobras) for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the Annual Report). We further consent to the inclusion of our report of third party dated February 6, 2020 (our Report), as Exhibit No. 99.1 in the Annual Report. Our Report contains our opinions regarding a comparison of estimates prepared by us with those furnished to us by Petrobras of the net proved oil, condensate, gas, and oil equivalent reserves, as of December 31, 2019, of certain properties located onshore and offshore Brazil in which Petrobras has represented it holds an interest.

We further consent to the references to our firm as set forth in the Registration Statement on Form F-3, Registration Nos. 333-229096 and 333-229096-01, of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras and Petrobras Global Finance B.V.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ DeGolyer and MacNaughton
DeGOLYER and MacNAUGHTON
Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-716

 

Exhibit 15.3

Hydrocarbon Production by Geographic Area

The following table sets forth our production of crude oil, natural gas, synthetic oil and synthetic gas by geographic area in 2019, 2018 and 2017:

 

     2019      2018      2017  
     Oil +
NGL
(mbbl)
(5)
     Synth.
Oil
+
NGL
(mbbl)
(4)(6)
     Nat. Gas
(mmcf)
(1)
     Synth.
Gas
(mmcf)
(1)(4)
     Total
(mboe)
     Oil +
NGL
(mbbl)
(5)
     Synth.
Oil
+
NGL
(mbbl)
(4)
     Nat. Gas
(mmcf)
(1)
     Synth.
Gas
(mmcf)
(1)(4)
     Total
(mboe)
(7)
     Oil +
NGL
(mbbl)
(5)
     Synth.
Oil
+
NGL
(mbbl)
(4)
     Nat. Gas
(mmcf)
(1)
     Synth.
Gas
(mmcf)
(1)(4)
     Total
(mboe)
 

Brazil

     791,970        754        551,194        298        884,639        741,766        929        541,557        259        832,998        785,161        969        555,820        183        878,79  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Lula field (2)

     224,390        —          149,424        —          249,294        204,831        —          133,518        —          227,084        175,663           140,931           199,151  

Búzios field (2)

     91,967        —          —          —          91,967        12,147        —          —          —          12,147        717                 717  

Other

     475,613        754        401,770        298        543,378        524,787        929        408,039        259        593,766        608,780        969        414,889        183        678,929  

International:

                                            

South America (outside of Brazil)

     1,406        —          68,686        —          12,854        1,624        —          75,393        —          14,190        1,872        —          85,388        —          16,103  

North America

     —          —             —          —          14,289        —          4,365.4        —          15,017        13,164        —          21,450        —          16,739  

Total International

     1,406        —          68,686        —          12,854        15,914        —          79,758        —          29,206        15,037        —          106,838        —          32,843  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total consolidated production

     793,376        754        619,880        298        897,493        757,680        929.5        621,316        259        862,203        800,198        969        662,659        183        911,641  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity method investees (3):

                                            

South America (outside of Brazil)

                    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —    

North America

     4,651        —          1,662        —          4,928        426        —          148        —          452        —          —          —          —          —    
                    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Africa

     12,255        —             —          12,255        7,118        —          —          —          7,118        8,190        —          —          —          8,190  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Worldwide production

     810,282        754        621,542        298        914,676        765,224        929        621,463        259        869,771        808,388        969        662,659        183        919,831  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Natural gas production figures are the production volumes of natural gas available for sale, excluding flared and reinjected gas and gas consumed in operations.

(2) 

The Búzios and Lula fields are separately included as they each contain more than 15% of our total proved reserves.

(3) 

Equity-accounted investees.

(4) 

We produce synthetic oil and synthetic gas from oil shale deposits in São Mateus do Sul, in the Paraná Basin of Brazil.

(5) 

Oil production includes production from EWT and NGL.

(6) 

Conversion rate for gas is 1 boe = 6,000 cf.

(7) 

The gas to boe conversion rate for 2018 was rectified.

Exhibit 15.4

Our Vessels

The table below shows the vessels chartered or owned by us and Transpetro as of December 31, 2019:

 

    

Vessel

   Owned /Chatered    Capacity
(deadweight tonnage)
 
Owned/
Chartered
by
Transpetro
   Abdias Nascimento    Owned    157,055  
   Andre Rebouças    Owned    156,523  
   Angra dos Reis    Chartered    105,165  
   Anita Garibaldi    Owned    72,786  
   Ataulfo Alves    Owned    150,880  
   Barbosa Lima Sobrinho    Owned    5,093  
   Carlos Drummond de Andrade    Owned    114,366  
   Cartola    Owned    150,880  
   Castro Alves    Owned    114,562  
   Celso Furtado    Owned    48,502  
   Dan Cisne    Chartered    59,336  
   Dan Sabiá    Chartered    59,317  
   Darcy Ribeiro    Owned    5,097  
   Dilya    Owned    17,745  
   Diva    Owned    17,718  
   Dragão do Mar    Owned    156,502  
   Fortaleza Knutsen    Chartered    106,316  
   Garrincha    Owned    114,441  
   Gilberto Freyre    Owned    2,573  
   Grajaú    Owned    8,875  
   Gurupá    Owned    8,907  
   Gurupi    Owned    8,890  
   Henrique Dias    Owned    156,505  
   João Cândido    Owned    156,980  
   Jorge Amado    Owned    2,537  
   José Alencar    Owned    48,573  
   José do Patrocínio    Owned    156,726  
   Lindóia BR    Owned    44,582  
   Livramento    Owned    44,582  
   Lorena BR    Owned    44,928  
   Lucio Costa    Owned    5,097  
   Machado de Assis    Owned    156,829  
   Madre de Deus    Chartered    105,283  
   Maísa    Owned    17,674  
   Marcílio Dias    Owned    156,541  
   Marta    Owned    17,812  
   Milton Santos    Owned    156,629  
   Nara    Owned    17,762  
   Navion Bergen    Chartered    104,102  
   Navion Gothenburg    Chartered    152,244  
   Navion Stavanger    Chartered    148,729  
   Neusa    Owned    17,738  
   Nilza    Owned    17,754  
   Norma    Owned    17,720  
   Olavo Bilac    Owned    114,700  
   Oscar Niemeyer    Owned    5,079  
   Pedreiras    Owned    55,067  
   Piraí    Owned    66,672  
   Pirajuí    Owned    66,721  
   Portinari    Owned    114,435  
   Recife Knutsen    Chartered    105,560  
   Rio Grande    Chartered    105,224  
   Rômulo Almeida    Owned    48,449  
   São Luís    Chartered    105,212  
   São Sebastião    Chartered    105,190  
   Sérgio Buarque de Holanda    Owned    48,573  
   Sestrea    Chartered    162,756  
   Storviken    Chartered    152,013  
   Zumbi dos Palmares    Owned    156,492  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Subtotal Owned/ Chartered by Transpetro

   59      4,800,999  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 


     Vessel    Owned /Chatered    Capacity
(deadweight tonnage)
 
  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 
Chartered
by Us
   Afrodite    Chartered    53,082  
   Ajax    Chartered      53,095  
   Alessandro Volta    Chartered    29,300  
   Alexandros II    Chartered    51,257  
   Alhena    Chartered    52,420  
   Aliakmon    Chartered    46,792  
   Altair    Chartered    50,583  
   Amazon Explorer    Chartered    72,910  
   Amazon Gladiator    Chartered    72,910  
   Amelia Pacific    Chartered    45,811  
   Anfa    Chartered    47,975  
   Anikitos    Chartered    50,082  
   Ariadne    Chartered    53,021  
   Aris    Chartered    53,106  
   Aris II    Chartered    51,218  
   Aristotelis II    Chartered    51,225  
   Assos    Chartered    47,872  
   Avax    Chartered    47,834  
   Axios    Chartered    47,781  
   Ayrton II    Chartered    51,260  
   Brasil 2014    Chartered    155,709  
   Buddha    Chartered    46,048  
   BW Prince    Chartered    54,368  
   Clyde    Chartered    49,999  
   Davis Sea    Chartered    106,062  
   Eagle Paraiba    Chartered    105,153  
   Eagle Parana    Chartered    105,048  
   Eco Nical    Chartered    6,407  
   Elandra Maple    Chartered    49,999  
   Elektra    Chartered    52,422  
   Elka Leblon    Chartered    154,846  
   Elka Parana    Chartered    155,010  
   Endless Summer    Chartered    49,999  
   Epic Baluan    Chartered    7,187  
   Epic St. George    Chartered    5,350  
   Evros    Chartered    47,120  
   Falcon Iris    Chartered    50,927  
   Falcon Maryam    Chartered    46,121  
   Falcon Nostos    Chartered    51,371  
   Flumar Brasil    Chartered    51,188  
   Forte de Copacabana    Chartered    8,843  
   Grand    Chartered    50,129  
   Horizon Armonia    Chartered    50,326  
   Horizon Ekavi    Chartered    51,099  
   Horizon Electra    Chartered    51,069  
   Izumo Princess    Chartered    105,374  
   Luigi Lagrange    Chartered    29,191  
   Maersk Kalea    Chartered    38,850  
   Maersk Maru    Chartered    48,020  
   Mambo    Chartered    45,967  
   Motivator    Chartered    54,901  
   Ocean Spirit    Chartered    49,995  
   Pacific Onyx    Chartered    49,996  
   Pacific Zircon    Chartered    49,995  
   Picacho    Chartered    4,569  
   Ras Maersk    Chartered    34,999  
   Rio 2016    Chartered    155,709  
   Robert Maersk    Chartered    34,801  
   Romoe Maersk    Chartered    34,806  
   Sallie Knutsen    Chartered    153,617  
   Saltram    Chartered    54,627  
   Santos    Chartered    6,420  
   St James    Chartered    48,005  
   Stena Conqueror    Chartered    47,323  
   Stena Conquest    Chartered    47,136  
   Stena Perros    Chartered    65,086  
   Stena Premium    Chartered    65,055  
   Stena Progress    Chartered    65,125  
   Zouzou    Chartered    50,651  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Subtotal Chartered by Us

   69      3,931,552  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

TOTAL

   128      8,732,551  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

DeGolyer and MacNaughton

5001 Spring Valley Road

Suite 800 East

Dallas, Texas 75244

February 6, 2020

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.

Av. República do Chile 330

9th Floor – Centro

CEP 20031-170

Rio de Janeiro – RJ-Brazil

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to your request, this report of third party presents an independent evaluation, as of December 31, 2019, of the estimated net proved crude oil, condensate, and gas reserves of certain properties in which Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) has represented it holds an interest. The properties are located in Brazil and offshore from Brazil. This evaluation was completed on February 6, 2020. Petrobras has represented that these properties account for 96 percent on a net equivalent barrel basis of Petrobras’ total net proved reserves as of December 31, 2019, and 97 percent of Petrobras’ net proved reserves in Brazil. Petrobras has represented that the net proved reserves estimates were prepared in accordance with the reserves definitions of Rules 4–10(a) (1)–(32) of Regulation S–X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the United States. We have reviewed information provided by Petrobras that it represents to be Petrobras’ estimates of the net reserves, as of December 31, 2019, for the same properties as those which we evaluated. This report was prepared in accordance with guidelines specified in Item 1202 (a)(8) of Regulation S–K and is to be used for inclusion in certain SEC filings by Petrobras.

Reserves estimates included herein are expressed as net reserves as represented by Petrobras. Gross reserves are defined as the total estimated petroleum remaining to be produced from these properties after December 31, 2019. Net reserves are defined as that portion of the gross reserves attributable to the interests held by Petrobras after deducting all interests held by others.

Certain fields evaluated herein are subject to the terms of production sharing contracts (PSC). Net reserves for these fields are defined as that portion of the gross reserves attributable to the interest of Petrobras based on the terms of the PSCs. The terms of the PSCs generally allow for working interest participants to be reimbursed for capital costs and operating expenses, as well as to share in the profits. The reimbursements and profit proceeds, net to Petrobras based on its working interest share, are converted to a volumetric equivalent by dividing by product prices to estimate the Petrobras “entitlement quantities.” These entitlement quantities are equivalent, in principle, to net reserves and are used to calculate an equivalent net share, termed an “entitlement interest.” Petrobras has advised that royalties for these fields are paid in cash, as per the terms of the PSCs, and has requested that the royalty volumes be included in the net reserves estimated herein.

Estimates of reserves should be regarded only as estimates that may change as further production history and additional information become available. Not only are such reserves estimates based on that information which is currently available, but such estimates are also subject to the uncertainties inherent in the application of judgmental factors in interpreting such information.

Information used in the preparation of this report was obtained from Petrobras. In the preparation of this report we have relied, without independent verification, upon information furnished by Petrobras with respect to the property interests being evaluated, production from such properties, current costs of operation and development, current prices for production, agreements relating to current and future operations and sale of production, and various other information and data that were accepted as represented. A field examination of the properties was not considered necessary for the purposes of this report.

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

Definition of Reserves

Petroleum reserves included in this report are classified as proved. Only proved reserves have been evaluated for this report. Reserves classifications used in this report are in accordance with the reserves definitions of Rules 4–10(a) (1)–(32) of Regulation S–X of the SEC. Reserves are judged to be economically producible in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions and assuming continuation of current regulatory practices using conventional production methods and equipment. In the analyses of production-decline curves, reserves were estimated only to the limit of economic rates of production under existing economic and operating conditions using prices and costs consistent with the effective date of this report, including consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements but not including escalations based upon future conditions. The petroleum reserves are classified as follows:

Proved oil and gas reserves – Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible—from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

(i) The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes:

(A) The area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and (B) Adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil or gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering data.

(ii) In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons (LKH) as seen in a well penetration unless geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establishes a lower contact with reasonable certainty.

(iii) Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty.

(iv) Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when:

(A) Successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and (B) The project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.

(v) Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price shall be the average price during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.

Developed oil and gas reserves – Developed oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that can be expected to be recovered:

(i) Through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and

(ii) Through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.

Undeveloped oil and gas reserves – Undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

(i) Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances.

(ii) Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances justify a longer time.


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

(iii) Under no circumstances shall estimates for undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, as defined in [section 210.4–10 (a) Definitions], or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.

Methodology and Procedures

Estimates of reserves were prepared by the use of appropriate geologic, petroleum engineering, and evaluation principles and techniques that are in accordance with the reserves definitions of Rules 4–10(a) (1)–(32) of Regulation S–X of the SEC and with practices generally recognized by the petroleum industry as presented in the publication of the Society of Petroleum Engineers entitled “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information (revised June 2019) Approved by the SPE Board on 25 June 2019.” The method or combination of methods used in the analysis of each reservoir was tempered by experience with similar reservoirs, stage of development, quality and completeness of basic data, and production history.

Based on the current stage of field development, production performance, the development plans provided by Petrobras, and analyses of areas offsetting existing wells with test or production data, reserves were classified as proved. The undeveloped reserves estimated herein were based on opportunities identified in the plan of development provided by Petrobras.

Petrobras has represented that its senior management is committed to the development plan provided by Petrobras and that Petrobras has the financial capability to execute the development plan, including the drilling and completion of wells and the installation of equipment and facilities.

The volumetric method was used to estimate the original oil in place (OOIP) and original gas in place (OGIP) for the fields, as required. For those fields that required volumetric evaluation, geologic models provided by Petrobras were reviewed and found to reasonably represent the distribution of reservoir properties and quantities of OOIP and OGIP. When applicable, structure and isopach maps were prepared to aid in evaluating reservoir volumes. Electric logs, radioactive logs, core analyses, bottomhole pressures, and other available data were used to prepare these maps.

Estimates of ultimate recovery took into account the type of energy inherent in the reservoir, as well as reservoir and well performance. Reservoir fluid properties, relative permeability, and other reservoir data were analyzed, and appropriate characterizations were generated for this analysis. In certain fields, a review was made of reservoir simulation studies performed by Petrobras. The available data related to future field development were also examined. In reservoirs where enhanced recovery methods had been implemented or were scheduled, recovery efficiency was estimated by fractional flow analysis and other engineering methods. Where adequate data were available, ultimate recovery was estimated using the material-balance method.

For depletion-type reservoirs or those whose performance disclosed a reliable decline in producing-rate trends or other diagnostic characteristics, reserves were estimated by the application of appropriate decline curves or other performance relationships.

In certain cases, reserves were estimated by incorporating elements of analogy with similar wells or reservoirs for which more complete data were available.

Estimates of reserves were limited to the economic limit as defined under the Definition of Reserves heading of this report or the expiration date of a fiscal agreement, whichever occurs first. In addition, reserves for the Atapu, Búzios, Itapu, Norte de Berbigão, Norte de Sururu, Sépia, Sul de Berbigão, Sul de Lula, and Sul de Sururu fields were also limited by the Cessão Onerosa terms as represented by Petrobras.

Petrobras has represented that the Cessão Onerosa (also known as Transfer of Rights) terms are part of an agreement between Petrobras and the Government of Brazil signed in September 2010 in which Petrobras made payment to the Government of Brazil for the rights to produce up to a total of 5 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) from the fields included in this agreement.

Petrobras has also represented that a partial unification agreement between Petrobras and the ANP was agreed upon for the Baleia Azul, Baleia Franca, Cachalote, Caxaréu, Jubarte, Mangangá, and Pirambu fields, also known as Parque das Baleias, or Whale Park fields. This unification agreement was signed on April 5, 2019 (with an effective date of May 1, 2019), creating new Cachalote, Caxaréu, Jubarte, Mangangá, and Pirambu fields. The new Jubarte field is composed of the former Baleia Azul, Baleia Franca, and Jubarte fields and portions of the former Cachalote, Caxaréu, Mangangá, and Pirambu fields. Only the new Jubarte field is evaluated herein.

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

Data provided by Petrobras from wells drilled through December 31, 2019, and made available for this evaluation were used to prepare the reserves estimates herein. These reserves estimates were based on consideration of monthly production data available for certain properties only through October or November 2019. Estimated cumulative production, as of December 31, 2019, was deducted from the estimated gross ultimate recovery to estimate gross reserves. This required that production be estimated for up to 2 months.

Oil and condensate reserves estimated herein are to be recovered by normal field separation. Oil and condensate reserves reported herein are expressed in millions of barrels (106bbl). In these estimates, 1 barrel equals 42 United States gallons. For reporting purposes, oil and condensate have been estimated separately and are presented herein as a summed quantity.

Gas quantities estimated herein are expressed as natural gas and fuel gas. Natural gas is defined as the total gas to be produced from the reservoirs after reduction for injection, flare, and shrinkage resulting from field separation and processing but not from fuel usage. Fuel gas is defined as that portion of the gas consumed in field operations and is included in the natural gas and is estimated herein as reserves. Gas reserves estimated herein are expressed at a temperature base of 20 degrees Celsius (°C) and at a pressure base of 1 atmosphere (atm). Gas reserves presented in this report are expressed in billions of cubic feet (109ft3).

Gas quantities are identified by the type of reservoir from which the gas will be produced. Nonassociated gas is gas at initial reservoir conditions with no oil present in the reservoir. Associated gas includes both gas-cap gas and solution gas. Gas-cap gas is gas at initial reservoir conditions and is in communication with an underlying oil zone. Solution gas is gas dissolved in oil at initial reservoir conditions. Gas quantities estimated herein include both associated and nonassociated gas.

At the request of Petrobras, gas reserves estimated herein were converted to oil equivalent using an energy equivalent factor of 6,000 cubic feet of gas per 1 barrel of oil equivalent. This conversion factor was provided by Petrobras.

Primary Economic Assumptions

This report has been prepared using initial prices, expenses, and costs provided by Petrobras in United States dollars (U.S.$). Future prices were estimated using guidelines established by the SEC and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The following economic assumptions were used for estimating the reserves reported herein:

Oil and Condensate Prices

Petrobras has represented that the oil and condensate prices were based on a reference price, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period. Petrobras supplied differentials by field to a Brent reference price of U.S.$62.51 per barrel. The volume-weighted average adjusted product price attributable to estimated proved reserves for the fields that were evaluated was U.S.$62.25 per barrel. These prices were not escalated for inflation.

Gas Prices

Petrobras has represented that the gas prices were based on a 12-month average price, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements. The volume-weighted average adjusted price for the fields that were evaluated was U.S.$8.63 per thousand cubic feet (103ft3). This price was based on contract prices and the 12-month average regulation prices from the regulatory agency of Brazil (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombistíveis (ANP)), as provided by Petrobras. The ANP regulation prices are the prices disclosed by the ANP to upstream operators for payment of royalties and taxes. These prices were not escalated for inflation.

Operating Expenses, Capital Costs, and Abandonment Costs

Operating expenses and capital costs were based on information provided by Petrobras and used in estimating future costs required to operate the properties. In certain cases, future costs, either higher or lower than existing costs, may have been used because of anticipated changes in operating conditions. These costs were not escalated for inflation. Abandonment costs, which are those costs associated with the removal of equipment, plugging of wells, and reclamation and restoration associated with the abandonment, were provided by Petrobras. Estimates of operating expenses, capital costs, and abandonment costs were considered in determining the economic viability of the undeveloped reserves estimated herein.

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

In our opinion, the information relating to estimated proved reserves of oil, condensate, and gas contained in this report has been prepared in accordance with Paragraphs 932-235-50-7 and 932-235-50-9 of the Accounting Standards Update 932-235-50, Extractive Industries – Oil and Gas (Topic 932): Oil and Gas Reserve Estimation and Disclosures (January 2010) of the FASB and Rules 4–10(a) (1)–(32) of Regulation S–X and Rules 302(b), 1201, and 1202 (3), (4), (8), and 1203(a) of Regulation S–K of the SEC; provided, however, that estimates of proved developed and proved undeveloped reserves are not presented at the beginning of the year.

To the extent the above-enumerated rules, regulations, and statements require determinations of an accounting or legal nature, we, as engineers, are necessarily unable to express an opinion as to whether the above-described information is in accordance therewith or sufficient therefor.

Summary of Conclusions

Petrobras has represented that its estimated net proved reserves attributable to the evaluated properties were based on the definition of proved reserves of the SEC. Petrobras’ estimates of the net proved reserves, as of December 31, 2019, attributable to these properties, which represent 96 percent of Petrobras’ reserves on a net equivalent basis, are summarized as follows, expressed in millions of barrels (106bbl), billions of cubic feet (109ft3), and millions of barrels of oil equivalent (106boe):

 

     Estimated by Petrobras
Net Proved Reserves as of
December 31, 2019
 
     Oil and
Condensate
(106bbl)
     Natural
Gas
(109ft3)
     Oil
Equivalent
(106boe)
 

Properties Evaluated by DeGolyer and MacNaughton

 

  

Brazil

        

Proved Developed

     4,831.3        5,422.3        5,735.0  

Proved Undeveloped

     3,061.6        2,538.0        3,484.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Proved

     7,892.9        7,960.3        9,219.6  

 

Notes:

1.  Natural gas reserves estimated herein were converted to oil equivalent using an energy equivalent factor of 6,000 cubic feet of gas per 1 barrel of oil equivalent.

2.  The natural gas reserves estimated herein include fuel gas. The fuel gas portion of the natural gas reserves estimated herein represents 31.8 percent of the proved developed natural gas reserves, 44.0 percent of the proved undeveloped natural gas reserves, and 35.7 percent of the total proved natural gas reserves.

   

   

In comparing the detailed net proved reserves estimates prepared by DeGolyer and MacNaughton and by Petrobras, differences have been found, both positive and negative, resulting in an aggregate difference of 0.5 percent when compared on the basis of net equivalent barrels. It is DeGolyer and MacNaughton’s opinion that the net proved reserves estimates prepared by Petrobras on the properties reviewed and referred to above, when compared on the basis of net equivalent barrels, in aggregate, do not differ materially from those prepared by DeGolyer and MacNaughton.

While the oil and gas industry may be subject to regulatory changes from time to time that could affect an industry participant’s ability to recover its reserves, we are not aware of any such governmental actions which would restrict the recovery of the December 31, 2019, estimated reserves.

 


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

DeGolyer and MacNaughton is an independent petroleum engineering consulting firm that has been providing petroleum consulting services throughout the world since 1936. DeGolyer and MacNaughton does not have any financial interest, including stock ownership, in Petrobras. Our fees were not contingent on the results of our evaluation. This report has been prepared at the request of Petrobras. DeGolyer and MacNaughton has used all assumptions, data, procedures, and methods that it considers necessary and appropriate to prepare this report.

 

Submitted,
/S/    DEGOLYER AND MACNAUGHTON        

DeGOLYER and MacNAUGHTON

Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-716

 

   

/S/    FEDERICO DORDONI        

  SEAL   Federico Dordoni, P.E.
   

Vice President

DeGolyer and MacNaughton


DeGolyer and MacNaughton

CERTIFICATE of QUALIFICATION

I, Federico Dordoni, Petroleum Engineer with DeGolyer and MacNaughton, 5001 Spring Valley Road, Suite 800 East, Dallas, Texas, 75244 U.S.A., hereby certify:

 

  1.

That I am a Vice President of DeGolyer and MacNaughton, which firm did prepare the report of third party addressed to Petrobras datedFebruary 6, 2020, and that I, as Vice President, was responsible for the preparation of this report of third party.

 

  2.

That I attended Buenos Aires Institute of Technology (ITBA) University, and that I graduated with a degree in Petroleum Engineering in the year 2004; that I am a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas; that I am a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers; and that I have in excess of 15 years of experience in oil and gas reservoir studies and reserves evaluations.

 

 

/S/    FEDERICO DORDONI        

SEAL   Federico Dordoni, P.E.
 

Vice President

DeGolyer and MacNaughton