TN PETRÓLEO

Houston-based Ashmore Energy International (AEI) has agreed to acquire Anglo-Dutch oil company Shell`s (NYSE: RDS-B) interest in their JV businesses in Brazil and Bolivia, Ashmore said in a statement.

"This acquisition will further strengthen our platform to grow in South America," Joao Carlos Albuquerque, AEI VP for Brazil and Bolivia, said in the statement.

As a result, AEI would own 100% of the following: Pantanal Energia, a 480MW gas-fired plant in Brazil`s Mato Grosso state; natural gas marketer Transborder Gas Services, which services the plant; Brazilian natural gas pipeline company Gasocidente de Mato Grosso; and Bolivian natural gas pipeline company GasOriente Boliviano.

Further, AEI would boost from 25% to 50% its stake in Bolivian natural gas and liquids pipeline company Transredes Transporte de Hidrocarburos.

AEI would also increase its share from 17% to 34% in GasBoliviano, the Bolivian side of the Bolivia-Brazil pipeline, and from 4% to 8% on the Brazilian side through Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolivia-Brasil.