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____
Preliminary Assessment of Certification Company
Rio de Janeiro, August 20 2010 Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras, announces that it has submitted a preliminary assessment of the value of certain pre-salt areas that may be included in the transfer of rights under Law 12.276/10 to the Cabinet of the President of Brazil and to the Ministries of Finance and Mines and Energy. The assessment was delivered yesterday afternoon by DeGolyer and MacNaughton, the independent certification company hired by Petrobras.
The submission of the DeGolyer and MacNaughton assessment marks the beginning of the negotiations regarding the price for the Transfer of Rights. The final price will be based on independent assessments submitted by both Petrobras and the National Petroleum Agency.
The independent assessments are presented in a preliminary form due to the large number of variables involved in the valuation process, including different technical interpretations related to geology, petroleum engineering, and economic matters that must be discussed by all the professionals involved.
In order to ensure transparency and fairness to all shareholders, the final terms of the Transfer of Rights will be submitted to the decision-making bodies of the Company in accordance with its corporate governance guidelines, including, in this case, to the Minority Shareholders Committee.
This announcement is not an offer of Petrobras shares. Petrobras shares may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration, and Petrobras currently intends to register the proposed offering in the United States. Any public offering of Petrobras shares will be made by means of a prospectus containing detailed information about Petrobras and the offering.
Contacts: PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S. A. PETROBRAS
Investor Relations Department I E-mail: petroinvest@petrobras.com.br / acionistas@petrobras.com.br
Av. República do Chile, 65 22nd floor - 20031-912 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ I Tel.: 55 (21) 3224-1510 / 9947
This document 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 merely reflect the expectations of the Companys 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.
PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A--PETROBRAS | ||
By: |
/S/ Almir Guilherme Barbassa
|
|
Almir Guilherme Barbassa
Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer |
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.
All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and you should not place reliance on any forward-looking statement contained in this press release. 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.