The Government of Rio Grande do Norte, through Potigás, opened a propositional dialogue with Petrobras for the due recognition of the event of Fortuitous Event or Force Majeure resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic - COVID-19.

This initiative was taken after Legislative Decree No. 6, of March 20, 2020, which established the so-called State of Public Calamity at the federal level.

In the negotiation, the Government of Rio Grande do Norte, through the piped gas distributor, Potigás, sensitized Petrobras to sign an agreement to suspend the so-called take-or-pay and ship-or-pay clauses. Basically, these clauses impose penalties in the event that the distributor does not have the minimum withdrawal of the daily quantity of natural gas scheduled in accordance with commercial conditions agreed upon by mutual agreement.

It is important to note that the suspension of these clauses is valid until the end of the effects of the Fortuitous Case or Force Majeure event resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic - COVID-19.

This agreement allows the natural gas distribution company to have more flexibility and conditions to adapt to changes in demand in this atypical and challenging moment that our country faces, with evident repercussions on the economic activity and on the level of gas consumption in several segments - especially in industry, commerce, automotive, cogeneration and thermogeneration.

Regardless of this agreement, which only releases the concessionaire, from paying penalties for not using the contracted gas, Potigás continues with the same purpose: to make every effort to continue providing this essential service efficiently and safely, while adopting all preventive measures recommended by health authorities to preserve the safety and health of its employees, customers and the population in the collective effort to confront COVID-19.