The Federal Official Gazette published today (1/7) the decision of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, which provides for the reduction of royalties and the incentive for small or medium-sized companies in the activities of exploration, development and production of oil and gas natural and marginal areas. For Firjan and the National Organization of the Petroleum Industry (ONIP), the determination was eagerly awaited by the oil and gas market and comes at a fundamental moment for companies to prepare for the resumption of post-pandemic Covid-19 activities.

The order signed by the Minister of Mines and Energy Bento Albuquerque follows the guidelines of the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) and recommends that the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) evaluate the adoption of measures aimed at reducing royalties for up to 5%, for fields granted to small or medium-sized companies, classified according to the criteria established by the agency.

Also according to the MME publication, it is indicated that the ANP should continue the studies and actions aimed at defining and implementing any incentives for exploration, development and production by small or medium-sized companies in areas of hydrocarbon accumulations or fields with marginal economy. .

“This measure comes to increasingly encourage the participation of small and medium-sized operators in the national market, creating dynamism both for the exploitation of natural gas and for marginal fields. It is a response from MME in building a favorable business environment for small and medium-sized companies ”, exalts Firjan's Oil, Gas and Naval manager, Karine Fragoso.

The reduction in royalties for small and medium-sized companies, from 10% to 5%, was approved by CNPE in the beginning of last June and was announced by the Secretary of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, José Mauro Ferreira, during the live Oil and Gas Circuit Brazil with the MMME, held on 6/17. On the occasion, the executive secretary of the Brazilian Association of Independent Petroleum Producers (ABPIP), Anabal Santos Jr., demanded speed in publishing the resolution. Minister Bento Albuquerque also addressed the topic in an interview with Firjan's magazine Carta da Indústria, in June.