Protests against Libra Field auctions break out in Rio de Janeiro

Criado em 17/10/13 16h51 e atualizado em 17/10/13 17h02
Por Alex Rodrigues Edição:s Fonte:Agência Brasil

Brasília – Members of social organizations and unionists opposing the auction of pre-salt exploration blocks are preparing to intensify protests and reinforce court appeals as a means to prevent Libra Field – the first pre-salt layer field to be commercialized – from being auctioned next Monday (October 12).

Workers from Petrobras and subsidiaries have already been on indefinite strike since Wednesday (October 16). Also, demonstrators affiliated with the national Oil Workers’ Federation (“FUP”) and the Via Campesina movement occupied the building of the Ministry of Mines and Energy on Thursday morning (October 17).

In the protesters’ view, the auction is a crime against the State and endangers national sovereignty, despite the sharing system adopted for the exploration. According to protest leaders, this can be explained by the fact that Libra is the largest pre-salt oil field announced up to the moment, and may be the largest one in the world.

The organizations that took part in the protest said they handed over to a representative from the government at the Palácio do Planalto, the seat of the Brazilian government, on September 20, a document signed by 92 organizations calling for the auction to be canceled.

“The social movements want a channel of negotiation with the federal government, whom we have asked to call off the auction,” Francisco José de Oliveira, FUP communication director, told Agência Brasil. “We’ve warned the president that the Libra Field auction represents a surrender of national heritage and that the Brazilian people will be harmed after such a large-scale reserve, part of the country's national heritage, is given up. Some deputies and senators didn’t know of the auction on the 21st,” Oliveira added.

He argued that “fifteen billion barrels of oil are expected to be produced. To make it available to private enterprise abroad and allow gains to be taken away from Brazil requires more debate with society. We can’t give away such large strategic reserve without discussing this issue with the social movements.”

Discovered in 2010, the Libra Field is located on the Santos basin, around 180 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. It accounts for 1,500 km² out of the 149,000 km² which comprise the Pre-Salt Polygon.

The sharing system of exploration and production for pre-salt oil, gas and hydrocarbons in strategic areas was established by law, and Petrobras will be the operator in the exploration of all blocks contracted under the sharing system of production. A minimum of 30% is ensured for Petrobras in the winning partnership. Additionally, the Union will not be held responsible for the risks involved in the exploration, assessment, development and production activities resulting from the sharing contracts.

Editors: Davi Oliveira / Graça Adjuto / Olga Bardawil
Translators: Fabrício Ferreira

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