Brazil's National Petroleum Agency, or ANP, approved Chinese oil company Sinochem's purchase of a 10% stake in five offshore blocks as the state-run company continues its expansion into Latin America's hottest oil frontier.
Sinochem purchased the stakes in January from the local unit of French oil and natural-gas company Perenco.
The deal was approved at the ANP's Oct. 3 board meeting, according to minutes of the meeting posted on the agency's website.
The deal continues the growing presence of Chinese companies in Brazil, especially in offshore oil and natural-gas exploration, as the Asian country seeks natural resources for its soaring economy.
Several billion-dollar deals have been completed in recent years to tap into Brazil's rising crude oil production.
Previously, Sinochem acquired a 40% stake in Statoil ASA's (STO, STL.OS) Peregrino field for $3.07 billion.
China's Sinopec, meanwhile, paid $5.19 billion for a 30% stake in the Brazilian unit of Galp Energia (GALP.LB) and $7 billion for a 40% share of the Brazilian arm of Spanish oil company Repsol YPF (REP.MC).
Sinochem acquired a 10% working stake in five blocks of the offshore Espirito Santos Basin in return for funding exploration-commitment wells, subject to conditions, Perenco said when the deal was announced.
Perenco retains a 40% operator stake in the blocks, with partner OGX Petroleo e Participacoes (OGXP3.BR, OGXPY) holding the remaining 50%.
The transaction also allowed Perenco to continue its exploration program in Brazil after the company was forced to cancel previous plans for an initial public offering of shares on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange.
The planned $511 million IPO was canceled after market conditions deteriorated amid the ongoing European sovereign-debt crisis.
foxbusiness.com
Sinochem purchased the stakes in January from the local unit of French oil and natural-gas company Perenco.
The deal was approved at the ANP's Oct. 3 board meeting, according to minutes of the meeting posted on the agency's website.
The deal continues the growing presence of Chinese companies in Brazil, especially in offshore oil and natural-gas exploration, as the Asian country seeks natural resources for its soaring economy.
Several billion-dollar deals have been completed in recent years to tap into Brazil's rising crude oil production.
Previously, Sinochem acquired a 40% stake in Statoil ASA's (STO, STL.OS) Peregrino field for $3.07 billion.
China's Sinopec, meanwhile, paid $5.19 billion for a 30% stake in the Brazilian unit of Galp Energia (GALP.LB) and $7 billion for a 40% share of the Brazilian arm of Spanish oil company Repsol YPF (REP.MC).
Sinochem acquired a 10% working stake in five blocks of the offshore Espirito Santos Basin in return for funding exploration-commitment wells, subject to conditions, Perenco said when the deal was announced.
Perenco retains a 40% operator stake in the blocks, with partner OGX Petroleo e Participacoes (OGXP3.BR, OGXPY) holding the remaining 50%.
The transaction also allowed Perenco to continue its exploration program in Brazil after the company was forced to cancel previous plans for an initial public offering of shares on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange.
The planned $511 million IPO was canceled after market conditions deteriorated amid the ongoing European sovereign-debt crisis.
foxbusiness.com
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