Brazil's Petrobras wants partnership with Bolivia

[Judi Lynn]

Brazil's Petrobras wants partnership with Bolivia

Friday, January 06, 2006

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - Brazil's government-run oil giant Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras, wants to restart talks on Bolivia's participation in Petrobras energy projects in Bolivia.

Talks about a possible Bolivia-Petrobras partnership began two years ago, but political instability in Bolivia prevented them from moving forward, Petrobras International Affairs Director Nestor Cervero said in an interview with the official Agencia Brasil news service posted Wednesday night.

"There wasn't any chance to develop the idea, so now a proposal will have to be presented again, starting from scratch," Cervero said. "In other words, negotiations are starting from zero."
(snip)

Morales has assured private companies operating there that he will respect their Bolivian assets, but also has said the country's natural gas reserves - the second-largest in South America after Venezuela - have been "looted" and that current gas production contracts must be re-negotiated.
(snip/...)

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Business/html/20060105T180000-0500_95965_OBS_BRAZIL_S_PETROBRAS_WANTS_PARTNERSHIP_WITH_BOLIVIA.asp

[bemildred]

1. Evo seems to be getting support from his neighbors. nt