pbra20130114_6k.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

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 January, 2013

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____

 

This report on Form 6-K is incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form F-3 of Petróleo Brasileiro -- Petrobras (No. 333-163665).


 
 

 

PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. - PETROBRAS

 

 

MATERIAL FACT

 

 

Petrobras’ Proven Reserves in 2012

 

Rio de Janeiro, January 14th, 2013 – Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. –  Petrobras announces its proved oil and natural gas reserves, assessed at the end of 2012 according to the Securities and Exchange Commission – SEC criteria.

 

Petrobras’ Proven Reserves in 2012

 

 

 

On December 31st, 2012 proven reserves according to SEC criteria reached 12.884 billion boe, representing an increase of 0.1% from the previous year, distributed as shown:

 

Proven Reserves - SEC

Volume (billion boe)

%

Brazil

12.263

95

International

0.621

5

Total

12.884

100

 

In 2012, 0.896 billion boe were appropriated to Proven Reserves and 884 million boe were produced, resulting in an increase of 0.011 billion boe compared to 2011 reserves (12.873 billion boe).

 

Proven Reserves Breakdown – SEC

Volume (billion boe)

A) Proven Reserves in December / 2011

12.873

B) Cumulative Production in 2012

(0.884)

C) Appropriation of Proven Reserves in 2012

0.896

D) Annual Variation (B + C)

0.012

E) Proven Reserves in December / 2012 (A + D)

12.884

 

According to SEC criteria, for each barrel of oil equivalent extracted in 2012, 1.01 barrels of oil equivalent were appropriated, resulting in a reserve replacement ratio of 101%. The Reserves-to-Production Ratio (R/P) was 14.6 years.

 

 

 


 
 

 

Proven Reserves in Brazil

 

 

On December 31st, 2012 proved oil and natural gas reserves in fields under Petrobras’ concession in Brazil, according to SEC criteria, reached 12.263  billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe), representing the maintenance of 2011 proven reserves.

 

 

Proven Reserves – SEC criteria

Volume

%

Oil + Condensate (billion bbl)

10.539

86

Natural Gas (billion m3)

274.101

14

Oil Equivalent (billion boe)

12.263

100

 

In 2012, 0.822 billion boe were appropriated to Proven Reserves, compared to a cumulative production of 0.815 billion boe, as shown below:

 

Proven Reserves Breakdown – SEC

Volume (billion boe)

A) Proven Reserves in December / 2011

12.256

B) Cumulative Production in 2012

(0.815)

C) Appropriation of Proven Reserves in 2012

0.822

D) Annual Variation (B + C)

0.007

E) Proven Reserves in December / 2012 (A + D)

12.263

 

For each barrel of oil equivalent extracted in 2012, 1.01 barrels of oil equivalent were appropriated, resulting in a Reserve Replacement Ratio of 100.9%. The Reserves-to-Production (R/P) ratio was 15 years.

 

The main Proven Reserves incorporations in 2012 were:

 

•    ongoing success of exploratory activities in the post-salt in different Brazilian basins:

 

- incorporation of volumes related to new discoveries close to the existing infrastructure of the Golfinho field, in Espírito Santo Basin; Marlim Sul field, in Campos Basin; and Araçás, Cexis, Fazenda Panelas and Taquipe fields, in Recôncavo Basin;

 

- declaration of commerciality in the following fields: Tartaruga Verde and Tartaruga Mestiça in Campos Basin; Baúna and Piracaba in Santos Basin; and Piranema Sul and Arapaçu in Sergipe-Alagoas Basin.

 

•    rise in proven reserves in the pre-salt due to an increase in well drilling activities and positive responses from production systems in operation both in the Campos and Santos Basins. Most of it came from the Lula/Cernambi and Sapinhoá concessions, where Petrobras is the operator and registers volumes proportional to its stake in these concessions: 65% and 45%, respectively.

 

 


 

 

International Proven Reserves

 

 

On December 31st, 2012 Petrobras’ proved oil and natural gas reserves abroad, according to SEC criteria, were 0.621 billion boe, an increase of 0.6% from the previous year.

 

 

Proven Reserves – SEC

Volume

%

Oil + Condensate (billion bbl)

0.414

67

Natural Gas (billion m3)

35.243

33

Oil Equivalent (billion boe)

0.621

100

 

 

 

 

In 2012, 0.074 billion boe were appropriated to Proven Reserves, compared to a cumulative production of 0.069 billion boe, as shown below:

 

Proven Reserves Breakdown – SEC

Volume (billion boe)

A) Proven Reserves in December / 2011

0.617

B) Cumulative Production in 2012

(0.069)

C) Appropriation of Proven Reserves in 2012

0.074

D) Annual Variation (B + C)

0.005

E) Proven Reserves in December / 2012 (A + D)

0.621

 

According to SEC criteria, for each barrel of oil equivalent extracted in 2012, 1.07 barrels of oil equivalent were appropriated, resulting in a reserve replacement ratio of 107%. The Reserves-to-Production Ratio (R/P) was 9 years.

 

In 2012, main Proven Reserves incorporations were:

 

•    Revaluation of the Chinook field in deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico;

 

•    Review of the Agbami Development Plan in deep waters of Nigeria;

 

•    Inclusion of volumes associated to the secondary recovery at Akpo field in deep waters of Nigeria.

 

Petrobras clarifies that the hydrocarbon reserve properties belong to their respective National States.

 

 

 

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: January 14, 2013
PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A--PETROBRAS
By:
/S/  Almir Guilherme Barbassa

 
Almir Guilherme Barbassa
Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer
 
 

 

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act) that are not based on historical facts and are not assurances of future results.  These forward-looking statements are based on management's current view and estimates of future 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 o f 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 occur. 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. 
All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and you should not place reliance on any forward-looking statement contained in this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason.