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____
(Rio de Janeiro, May 22, 2003). PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A Petrobras, (BOVESPA: PETR3 / PETR4, NYSE: PBR / PBRA, LATIBEX: XPBR / XPBRA), Brazils largest oil and gas, petrochemicals and energy company, announces that with the approval by the Argentine regulatory authorities of the sale of Perez Companc to Petrobras on May 13, 2003, the Companys total oil and natural gas production in Brazil and overseas reached a record 2,043,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day (boe/d) during the first quarter of 2003. This achievement ranks Petrobras among the select group of listed world class oil companies to exceed the 2 million boe/d mark.
This record was achieved principally due to the Companys growing production of 1,896,000 boe/d in the first quarter of 2003 and the incorporation of Perez Compancs output of 147,000 boe/d over the same period. At these new production levels, Petrobras has succeeded over little more than 6 years in doubling its total output of oil and gas, which in 1996 stood at 1,008,000 boe/d.
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.
PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO
S.A--PETROBRAS | ||
By: |
/S/ José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo
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José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo
Chief Financial
Officer and Investor Relations Director
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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 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.