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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of July, 2005

Commission File Number 1-15106



PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. - PETROBRAS
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Brazilian Petroleum Corporation - PETROBRAS
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)



Avenida República do Chile, 65
20031-912 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Federative Republic of Brazil
(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. 

Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F _______

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____



Shelf Registration of Petrobras is approved by Securities and Exchange Comission - SEC


(Rio de Janeiro, July 29, 2005). – PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S/A - PETROBRAS, [Bovespa: PETR3/PETR4, NYSE: PBR/PBRA, Latibex: XPBR/XPBRA], a Brazilian international energy company, announces that, its Board of Directors was informed today that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission – SEC – approved in July 28 the Shelf Registration to issue securities, fixed income or equity, in an aggregate principal amount of up to US$ 6.5 billion, during the next 24 months by Petrobras and its subsidiary Petrobras International Finance Company.

This is a common procedure among companies of the same size, resulting in a pre-register of potential issuances for the next two years, thereby optimizing the documentation required for each offering and providing Petrobras with greater flexibility and agility to access the international capital markets.

The Company has stated that the volume of the prospective offerings will be consistent with the capital expenditures of Petrobras in the near future and within the financial leverage limits established in its strategic plan.

We would like to inform that Petrobras filed the report Form 20-F at the Securities and Exchange Comission – SEC, on June 30 2005, as it is required of all companies listed at the New York Stock Exchange – NYSE. The Form 20-F is a report that consolidates information about the Company that reflects the transparency of its business with accounting, financial, operational, strategic, statutory, legal and managerial information and it is incorporated by reference to the Shelf Registration’s register, as required by the American law.

With the conclusion of all of the procedures and legal registers required by the SEC, Petrobras from now on will be apt to access the international market, at its convenience. The present press release does not constitute an offering of securities. Offerings of securities will be made according to a prospectus and respective supplement.

http: //www.petrobras.com.br/ri/english


Contacts:
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A – PETROBRAS
Investor Relations Department
Raul Adalberto de Campos– Executive Manager
E-mail:
petroinvest@petrobras.com.br
Av. República do Chile, 65 - 4th floor
20031-912 – Rio de Janeiro, RJ
(55-21) 3224-1510 / 9947


This document may contain forecasts that merely reflect the expectations of the Company’s management. Such terms as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “plan”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, along with similar or analogous expressions, are used to identify such forecasts. These predictions evidently involve risks and uncertainties, whether foreseen or not by the Company. Therefore, the future results of operations may differ from current expectations, and readers must not base their expectations exclusively on the information presented herein.


 

 
SIGNATURE
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: July 29, 2005

 
PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A--PETROBRAS
By:
/S/  José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo

 
José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo
Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Director
 

 

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates offuture economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually oc cur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.