Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
20035-900 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Federative Republic of Brazil
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes _______ No ___X____
Petrobras Again States That Its Platforms Comply With The Regulations
(Rio de Janeiro, November 01, 2002) - PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. - PETROBRAS, [BOVESPA: PETR3/PETR4, NYSE: PBR/PBRA, LATIBEX: XPBR/XPBRA], Brazil's biggest oil & gas, petrochemicals and energy company announces that the company denies the accusations that have been made against it with respect to operating licenses for its platforms in the Campos Basin and again states that its units are operating strictly within legal parameters.
Out of the 33 platforms fined by Ibama on October 30, 15 have individual operating licenses whose renewal was requested by Petrobras strictly within the time limits laid down by law, to which Ibama had not replied by that date. In accordance with Conama resolution 237/97, if the environmental body gives no reply, the validity of the license is automatically extended.
All of the other 18 units installed prior to the current environmental legislation have been the subject of a Declaration of Commitment between Petrobras and Ibama signed on 03/25/1999, in accordance with Provisional Measure 1710-4 of 12/3/1998. Petrobras has taken all the steps listed in the declaration and has requested the issue of operating licenses within the time limit laid down. In this case also Ibama has made no formal reply.
In view of the above, Petrobras has passed this matter to its legal department for appropriate action in order to protect the Company’s interests, image and reputation.
| Petróleo Brasileiro S.A - PETROBRAS | THOMSON FINANCIAL/CARSON |
| Investor Relations Department | Isabel Vieira (New York) |
| Luciana Bastos de Freitas Rachid - Executive Manager | (212) 807-5110 |
| E-mail: lrachid@petrobras.com.br | isabel.vieira@thomsonir.com |
| Carlos Henrique Dumortout Castro - Manager | Valter Faria (Brazil) |
| E-mail:carloshdc@petrobras.com.br | (11) 3848-0887 ext. 202 |
| Av. Republica do Chile, 65 - 4th floor | valter.faria@thomsonir.com.br |
| 20031-912 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ | |
| (55-21) 2534-1510 / 2534-9947 |
|
PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A--PETROBRAS
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| By: |
/S/
João Pinheiro Nogueira Batista
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João Pinheiro Nogueira Batista
Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Director
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