Petrobras informs that it signed on November 11th with Forbes & Manhattan Resources Inc. (F&M Resources), a wholly owned subsidiary of Forbes & Manhattan Inc. (F&M), a contract for the sale of the shares of the company that will own the Shale Industrialization Unit (SIX), located in São Mateus do Sul/PR.

PHOTO ROGÉRIO REIS / PETROBRAS NEWS AGENCY

The sale price is US$ 33 million, of which (i) US$ 3 million will be paid on this date, with the signing of the contract, as a guarantee; and (ii) US$ 30 million will be paid at the closing of the operation, subject to adjustments provided for in the contract. The contract also foresees contingent payments (earn out).

The transaction is subject to compliance with precedent conditions, such as approval by the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) and by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).

Until the precedent conditions are met and the transaction is closed, Petrobras will maintain normal operation of the unit. After the closing, Petrobras will continue to support F&M Resources in the operations of SIX in order to preserve the safety and operational continuity for up to 15 months, under a transition contract. A lease agreement is also expected to be signed between Petrobras and F&M Resources, which will allow the continuity of research activities developed by Petrobras in experimental plants located on the asset. The sale agreement foresees the continuity of the fulfillment of the obligations established in the existing agreements with the São Mateus do Sul City Hall.

SIX is the third asset to have the purchase and sale agreement signed within the scope of the commitment signed by Petrobras with CADE in June 2019 for the opening of the refining market in Brazil. This transaction is in line with Resolution No. 9/2019 of the National Energy Policy Council, which established guidelines for the promotion of free competition in the refining activity in the country.

This disclosure to the market is in accordance with Petrobras' internal rules and with the special regime for divestment of assets by federal mixed economy companies, provided for in Decree 9,188/2017. The transaction is aligned with the portfolio management strategy and the improvement of the company's capital allocation, aiming at the maximization of value and greater return to society. 

About SIX 

SIX, located in the city of São Mateus do Sul, in the state of Paraná, has a shale processing capacity of 5,800 tons/day, focusing on the production of fuel oil, naphtha, fuel gas, LPG and sulfur.

About F&M 

F&M is a privately-held Canadian holding company focused on investments for development of natural resource exploration projects, particularly in mining.