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20031-912 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Federative Republic of Brazil
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
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Memorandum of Understanding for refining in the USA
(Rio de Janeiro, November 16, 2005). – PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S/A - PETROBRAS, [Bovespa: PETR3/PETR4, NYSE: PBR/PBRA, Latibex: XPBR/XPBRA], a Brazilian international energy company, announces that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Astra Oil Company (“Astra”), combining forces to establish a joint venture trading and refining company in the United States. The initial business plan calls for joint operation, trading and commercial management of Pasadena Refining System Inc. (PRSI), formerly the Crown Refinery in Pasadena Texas. The PRSI refinery is currently being upgraded to meet new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Air Standards for gasoline and diesel, and as soon as reasonably practical, the refinery will also be modified to handle a wide range of heavy sour crude and feedstock, including Petrobras' Marlim production.
Astra is a well known subsidiary of the Belgian Compagnie Nationale A Portefeuille, with interests in international oil, coal, coke, and natural gas trading, ocean shipping and refining. Astra purchased the Crown Refinery, located in Pasadena Texas, in January 2005.
Raul Adalberto de Campos– Executive Manager
E-mail: petroinvest@petrobras.com.br
Av. República do Chile, 65 - 4th floor
20031-912 – Rio de Janeiro, RJ
(55-21) 3224-1510 / 9947
This document may contain forecasts that merely reflect the expectations of the Company’s management. Such terms as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “plan”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, along with similar or analogous expressions, are used to identify such forecasts. These predictions evidently involve risks and uncertainties, whether foreseen or not by the Company. Therefore, the future results of operations may differ from current expectations, and readers must not base their expectations exclusively on the information presented herein.
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PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A--PETROBRAS |
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/S/ José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo
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José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo
Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Director |
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This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates offuture economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually oc cur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.