Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
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.
Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F _______
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes _______ No___X____
This report on Form 6-K is incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form F-3 of Petróleo Brasileiro -- Petrobras (No. 333-163665).
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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras Corporate Taxpayer ID (CNPJ/MF): 33.000.167/0001-01 |
Banco BTG Pactual S.A. Corporate Taxpayer ID (CNPJ/MF): 30.306.294/0001-45 |
MATERIAL FACT
Joint Venture for E&P operations in the African continent
Rio de Janeiro, June 14, 2013 – Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras (“Petrobras”) and Banco BTG Pactual S.A. (“BTG Pactual”), in compliance with CVM Rule 358/2002, hereby announces that today Petrobras International Braspetro B.V. (“PIBBV”), controlled by Petrobras, and an investment vehicle managed and advised by BTG Pactual (“BTG Pactual Vehicle”), entered into a binding agreement (“Agreement”) to establish a 50/50 joint venture for oil and gas exploration and production in Africa (“E&P”).
This partnership between Petrobras and BTG Pactual represents a promising investment opportunity in E&P in Africa and will be the preferential vehicle of the two parties for new investments of such nature in the continent.
The joint venture will be formed upon the acquisition, by BTG Pactual and its clients acting through the BTG Pactual Vehicle, of 50% of the shares issued by Petrobras Oil & Gas B.V. (“PO&G”), currently wholly owned by PIBBV, for US$1.525 billion. Once the corporate restructuring currently in progress is concluded, the operation will involve the branches located in Angola, Benin, Gabon and Namibia, as well as the subsidiaries Brasoil Oil Services Company (Nigeria) Ltd., Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Ltd. and Petrobras Tanzania Ltd.
The partnership was approved by Petrobras’ Board of Directors at the meeting held today and the closing is expected to be executed by the end of June.
The operation represents an important step for Petrobras’ Divestment Program, allowing for the expansion of its operations in Africa and the sharing of investments required for expansion and development of its reserves.
For BTG Pactual, the operation represents a step toward investment opportunity generation in the African continent and in the oil and gas segment, in accordance with the growth strategy of its asset and investment management activities, in addition to fostering the continuous expansion and diversification of the product portfolio available to its clients.
Petrobras and BTG Pactual will keep BM&FBovespa, the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários) and the market in general informed on the matter.
Rio de Janeiro, June 14, 2013.
Almir Guilherme Barbassa
Chief Financial and Investor Relations Officer of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras
João Marcello Dantas Leite
Investor Relations Officer of Banco BTG Pactual S.A.
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PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A--PETROBRAS | ||
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By: |
/S/ Almir Guilherme Barbassa
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Almir Guilherme Barbassa
Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer |
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This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act) that are not based on historical facts and are not assurances of future results. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current view and estimates of future 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 o f 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 occur. 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.
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