Rio de Janeiro – Petrobras has announced net profit of 24.588 billion Brazilian reals (US$ 14.3 billion) from January to September this year. The value is 10% greater than that registered in the same period last year. The result was favoured by the growth of domestic sales, expansion of above 13%, and also by a 35% increase in Brent barrel oil prices, which rose from US$ 57.15 to US$ 77.13.
These figures were disclosed early yesterday (11) by the Financial and Inverstor Relations director at the company, Almir Barbassa. In the first three quarters of the year, investment rose 11% over the previous period, reaching 56.5 billion reals (US$ 32.9 billion). Production of oil and gas rose 2%.
Barbassa pointed out that the greater consumption of gas was due to the greater domestic use and also to its use in thermal-electric plants, elevating the consumption by 28%. The heating up of the country’s economy was also reflected in the expressive growth of vehicle fuel, with special highlight to petrol, with expansion of 18%, boosted by unfavourable anhydrous alcohol prices for consumers. Diesel registered growth of 10%.
Net profits in the third quarter were 8.566 billion reals (US$ 5 billion), representing growth of 3% over the second quarter. The Petrobras market value, after its capital increase, reached 373.766 billion reals (US$ 217.4 billion).
*Translated by Mark Ament
