The State Government continues to work to guarantee investments in the energy sector in Rio Grande do Norte. Last Monday (09), Governor Fátima Bezerra attended two meetings in Rio de Janeiro-RJ to discuss the relationship between the state, Petrobras and private companies.

The first meeting was with Petrobras, represented by the executive director of institutional relations, Roberto Ardenghy. At the time, the company ensured two important measures for the RN's economic environment: maintaining production and investment levels and greater speed in granting access to the Natural Gas Processing Unit (UPGN), in Guamaré, which may decrease the price of gas by up to 30%. “Petrobras is an important part of our economy and it is vital that it remains active within Rio Grande do Norte. Our government will work day and night to ensure that these investments are made, as well as to strengthen partnerships with the private sector ”, declared Governor Fátima Bezerra.

The discussions at the meeting are part of the unfolding of the work group signed between the Government and Petrobras to address the issue of plans announced by the company for the sale of assets in the state.

According to the company's directors, the process for granting access to UPGN is a priority. The group said that the plan is that by the end of November a schedule will be presented that deals with access to companies that have acquired the mature fields to process natural gas. The initial deadline for release given by Petrobras is 18 months, but at the request of the Government, the company will make an effort to reduce the time required for the opening of the UPGN.

The release is foreseen in the agreement signed between Petrobras and Cade to open the gas market in RN. The access of private companies to the UPGN will increase production, generating a great impact on revenue and benefiting the entire production chain and the state.

Potigás will be able to buy gas at more competitive prices, direct from the new producers that already operate in RN, and pass this reduction on to the consumer. The government-controlled company currently has more than 28 thousand customers in the industrial, commercial, residential and vehicle segments, with the vehicle segment covering the largest clientele.

“This is good news for the energy market in our state. The government will continue to act in the search to help resolve this issue ”, added the Chief Executive.

In addition to the governor, the Secretary of State for Planning and Finance, Aldemir Freire, the advisor for Institutional and Regulatory Affairs at Potigás, Marina Siqueira, the executive and external relationship manager at Petrobras, Fernando Assumpção Borges, and the manager also attended the meeting. gas and energy executive, Rodrigo Costa Lima.

ANP 

During the agenda in Rio de Janeiro, Governor Fátima Bezerra also met with the acting director general of ANP, Raphael Moura.

"We had a productive meeting that continued the understandings previously held, including with Petrobras, for access to the Guamaré UPGN", said the governor.

Since last year, the state has also been discussing with the MME and with the monitoring committee of the new gas market. The release of this access is awaited by producers, the Government of RN and Potigás because it will generate an immediate increase in gas production in wells acquired by the private sector.

At the meeting, at the ANP headquarters, the governor was also accompanied by secretary Aldemir Freire and Potigás advisor, Marina Siqueira, in addition to Daniela Santos, representing the Potiguar Oil and Gas Forum.