On June 22, Minister Bento Albuquerque met, by videoconference, with the secretary general (SG) of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammad Barkindo (photo). The dialogue was part of the South American side of the exchange of bilateral impressions that OPEC has been maintaining with countries that do not belong to the Organization. The OPEC SG assessed the effects of the Organization's recently cut production decisions on the global oil market, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and made mention of Brazil's participation in the G-20 Energy Ministers Meeting , on April 10th. In his words, “Brazil's participation in this important meeting (of the G20) was a clear sign of Brazil's active involvement and support for global energy dialogue and cooperation”.

Minister Bento Albuquerque recalled Barkindo's participation in the past G20 meeting - a group of which Brazil is a full member - and outlined the frank exchange of ideas that the country has been maintaining with the United States, Saudi Arabia and International Energy Agency in the context of combating the effects of the pandemic on the oil market. The Minister also mentioned Brazil's active participation in the Focus Group (Focus Group) created within the scope of the G20.

He then described the Federal Government's efforts to combat the effects of the crisis and the work of the Monitoring Committee for the Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels Sector coordinated by the MME so that there is intense interaction between agents in the sector. Minister Bento Albuquerque highlighted the need to guarantee essential services and fuel supply, daily monitoring of the oil, natural gas and biofuels supply chain, the importance of maintaining onshore and offshore production levels, the need for investments in new fields and the centrality, for Brazil, of the stability of investments in the country. He recalled that, for the Brazilian trade balance, oil exports represent an essential item. Petrobras is publicly traded and makes decisions, therefore, strictly linked to its business strategy, without government interference.

In thanking for this dialogue and stating that Brazil is a key player in the South American continent, both as an oil and natural gas producer and as an energy consumer, the Secretary General of OPEC alluded to the interest that members of the Organization have to listen to Brazil and invited Minister Bento Albuquerque to participate in the 8th International OPEC Seminar, which will take place in June 2021. The Minister pledged to do everything possible to participate in the event.