Lukoil yet to decide on bidding in Brazilian tender
LONDON. March 7 (Interfax) - Lukoil has not yet decided on whether it will take part in a tender in Brazil, company CEO Vagit Alekperov has told the press.
"This was my first trip to Brazil. We are considering the question of the eleventh round. But no decision has yet been made. At the end of the month there will be new meetings. This is a new market, we are analyzing it, approaching very cautiously," Alekperov said. He had visited Brazil at the end of last month with the aim of discussing possible projects off the countries coast.
Ten years ago, Lukoil's foreign-project upstream operator Lukoil Overseas underwent license tender qualification for Brazilian shelf blocks. The company was awarded category 'A - Operator' status.
According to the National Oil and Gas Agency, in the 11th licensing round the plan is to put up 289 oil and gas blocks, including shelf blocks. Documents for prequalification are being accepted until March 26, and the results are planned to be announced April 10. The actual dealing is slated for May.
Rosneft is also planning to study in the near future the prospects for operating off the Brazilian coast. TNK-BP , which Rosneft is buying, already operates in the country.
