Brazil unveils Round 13 contract, bidding terms

Brazil's hydrocarbons regulator ANP has launched a 20-day public consultation for the country's 13th oil and gas licensing round.

The watchdog published preliminary bidding and contract terms for the October 7 auction on Friday.

The consultation period, which will end on July 2, will allow investors to "obtain subsidies and additional information" for the round, ANP said. It will be followed by a public hearing on July 9.

"The auction and concession terms will go through a consultation process and public hearing, and will be subject to eventual corrections and adjustments," the regulator said on its website.

Round 13 will offer oil companies concessions for 266 exploration blocks, 182 of which are onshore and 84 offshore.

Onshore areas include the Amazonas, Parnaíba, Recôncavo and Potiguar basins while offshore blocks are located in the Sergipe-Alagoas, Jacuípe, Espírito Santo, Campos, Camamu-Almada and Pelotas basins.

It will be Brazil's first auction of oil and gas concessions since 2013.

Energy minister Eduardo Braga said on Thursday the government expects to net up to 2bn reais (US$630mn) in signature bonuses.

Rio de Janeiro-based consultancy Uphill this week told BNamericas the round would attract major international players despite the impact of a sprawling graft scandal engulfing state-run oil firm Petrobras and falling crude prices.

Russia's Gazprom, France's Total and the UK's BP have already said they are evaluating whether to participate.

Further details about the bidding and contract terms, in Portuguese, can be seen here.