No gás, Petrobras é “atravessadora”, diz diretor da ANP. “Não somos ONG,” diz Magda

The Agency for National Petroleum (ANP) has proposed a plan aimed at reducing Petrobras's market dominance in the natural gas industry, potentially lowering the price of a key molecule essential to Brazil's economy. This plan, known as the gas release program, includes compulsory auctions to release part of the gas held by the state-owned company into the market.

The proposal has been met with criticism from Petrobras and supported by 95% of sector agents. The plan establishes annual auctions for the sale of some of the gas that Petrobras purchases from third parties and imports from Bolivia, as well as volumes of gas traded by the company. Pietro Mendes, director of the ANP, stated that Petrobras sells natural gas at a higher price than private companies, indicating an "enormous margin," which justifies the intervention.

Despite opposition from Petrobras executives, including a statement from Wagner Victer claiming that the release of volumes by the company might only create intermediaries rather than genuine competitors, Pietro defended the measures, arguing that Petrobras is the primary source of high gas prices in Brazil. He also denied that the measure could discourage Petrobras's investments in new gas projects, stating that the company's own production is not subject to the auctioned volumes.

The ANP's proposal for a moderate gas release, with annual auctions between 2027 and 2030, involves initially releasing 8 million cubic meters per day, gradually increasing to 9.2 million cubic meters per day by the final auction. Barbara Ferreira, coordinator of competition promotion in the gas market at the ANP, explained that Petrobras holds a 59% share of gas sales, a position lower than before 2021 but still dominant.

Shortly after the ANP announced the gas release discussion, Petrobras executives published articles in the press, calling for caution and expressing opposition to the proposal.