(Source: Info-Prod Research (Middle East))trackingAccording to ANBA: The Brazilian Chief of Staff, Dilma Roussef, a likely candidate of the Workers Party (PT) to succeed president Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva, confirmed today (25th), in the city of S?o Paulo, that Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company of Saudi Arabia, has manifested interest in exploring for oil in the Brazilian pre-salt layer. "All of the oil companies, in particular Saudi Aramco, will be very welcome in Brazil," she said in a press conference to foreign correspondents. Dilma stated that the company expressed its interest during the visit that Lula made to Riyadh in May this year. According to her, the interest that was shown was underscored by the Saudi minister of Petroleum, Ali Al-Naimi, also during Lula’s trip. As reported by ANBA at the time, the Brazilian president invited Naimi to visit Brazil and look into possibilities of partnership between Petrobras and Aramco. "Cooperation with the Arab world is welcome," said Dilma. The minister added that Brazil is open to international companies, private or state-owned, that are willing to invest in the pre-salt. "There is a unique opportunity available right now for private and state-owned participation," said she, referring to discoveries of large reserves made recently in the country’s territorial waters. The energy sector was one of the main topics approached by Dilma in the interview, as prior to being the Chief of Staff, she was the minister of Mines and Energy. She stated that more than just extracting oil, the government wants to encourage the supply chain of products and services for the sector, including the building of platforms, vessels and drilling rigs, and also to boost the refining and petrochemical sectors.
Originally published by Info-Prod Strategic Business Information.
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