Earnings Labs

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras (PBR)

Q2 2014 Earnings Call· Tue, Aug 12, 2014

$21.89

+3.09%

Key Takeaways · AI generated
AI summary not yet generated for this transcript. Generation in progress for older transcripts; check back soon, or browse the full transcript below.

Same-Day

-4.45%

1 Week

+7.91%

1 Month

+1.24%

vs S&P

-1.66%

Transcript

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Good morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Petrobras Conference Call with analysts and investors for the presentation of Second Quarter 2014 Results. We would like to inform you that participants will be listening to the conference call during the company’s presentation which will be conducted in Portuguese with simultaneous translation to English. Afterwards the Q&A session will begin in Portuguese and in English at which time instructions will be provided. (Operator Instructions). The broadcast is being recorded. Present with us today, Mr. Almir Guilherme Barbassa, Petrobras Chief Financial and Investor Relations Officer as well as other company executives. Before we get started, let us hear from Mr. Theodore Helms, Executive Manager of Investor Relations. Please Mr. Helms, you may proceed.

Theodore Helms

Management

(Interpreted). Good morning, everyone. We’re about to begin another Petrobras conference call with analysts and investors for the presentation of second quarter 2014 results. Before we continue, I’d like to remind you this meeting is being recorded. And please be mindful of Slide number 2, which contains the notice to shareholders and investors, the words belief, expect and similar words related to projections and targets are mere forecasts based on the expectations of executives regarding the future of Petrobras. Lastly, I’d like to inform you that results have already been disclosed in Reals as well as in dollars, both in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS. However, today’s conference will be limited to figures expressed in Reals. At this time, I call in CFO, Almir Barbassa, who together with other directors will present Petrobras results and the main events that took place in the second quarter 2014. Afterwards, we will be answering questions from participants. Please, Mr. Barbassa

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Good morning everyone. Thank you for being with us in this conference call to present second quarter results of Petrobras. Today, we have directors Formigli, Cosenza and Alcides, as well as our Executive Manager Mario, who will participate in this presentation with us. And also other company executives that may contribute with answers to your questions if needed Let me now give the floor to the Director of Exploration and Production Formigli for his considerations. Thank you.

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). Thank you Almir, good morning everyone. I am happy to have this opportunity to talk to you analysts and investors about the resulting coming from exploration and production in the second quarter 2014. The first slide, shows very clearly the reason why we are so happy about the operating results obtained in the upstream segment. After our first quarter of stable throughput as established in our business plan, we already began to see a significant growth month after month in the second quarter of 2014. As you can see, we came from 2,020,000 barrels per day of throughput coming to 2,120,000 in the end of June. But as we’ve already published last weekend and as we confirmed this morning, we came to a production of 2,000,152 barrels of oil per day, operated by Petrobras. When we see this comparison, we came from an average of Petrobras operated throughput 1,009,075 up to 2,000,152 so more than 100,000 barrels more than the average last year. Now, one thing which is extremely important for us can be seen in the next slide. This is where we see our share in the production. We’ve had an increase in Petrobras equity or Petrobras operated production. So, as we saw in the previous slide, we’ve had an increase in the oil production from 1,009,072 coming up to 1,972,000 plus 50,000 barrels per day on average. We also want to explain looking at this slide that the growth rate in production which you can see in the blue curve coming from 1,933,000 in April going up to 2,049,000 in July. And in June, we had already reached 2,800,000 barrels per day. It shows our growth rate is approximately 2% a month, very much in line with our projections as we prepared the production curve expectations or…

Jose Carlos Cosenza

Management

(Interpreted). Thank you, Formigli. Good morning everyone. Today we are presenting the results for Downstream as a whole. And you can be sure that I’m very happy to share the results. because the numeric results and also the philosophies that have been adopted for Downstream can show extraordinary management results that will a chance to comment on our presentation. On the first slide, we’ll be addressing all your product sales in the country. On the left hand chart, there are three parts about production, comparing particularly first quarter 2014 with the second quarter, a 3% increase in production or output for 2,000,124 to 2,000,180, a direct impact on gasoline and diesel which are our largest local demands. And also it reflects basically from a Downtown we had at Rutland in March of 28 days. And it resumed operation in the second quarter so this difference is shown here. But we also have our reflex of our integration philosophy in the areas. And particularly the new variable that we’re using to improve the output, which is logistics, infrastructure at Petrobras which is outstanding and we’re using it more than ever. This use of logistics is critical particularly due to oil products handling, particularly gasoline from one region to another through coastal navigation but it’s also very much related to the start-up of production systems for E&P and we’ll have some fractions of oil products that when mixed to the formulated mixes, where the refineries can increase our gasoline output. So this is a total different moment of the company and areas have to be more integrated than ever. And now when it comes to the product level, these products come out specified from the terminals where they are generated in the separation between liquids and gases and E&P, so they can…

Jose Alcides Santoro

Management

(Interpreted). Thank you, Cosenza. Good morning everyone. For gas and energy, the market demanded 96.3 million cubic meters per day. Out of the total 38.9, the non-thermal market with a rise of 1% vis-à-vis the previous quarter. As a highlight, we can show a volume up 41.9 million cubic meters per day in the thermal market which accounted for 11% growth vis-à-vis the previous quarter. The thermal market allowed us to generate 4.7 gig watts – average gig watts or about 600 megawatts average above first quarter 2014, margin gains as well. The energy market maintained similar prices compared with the previous quarter around R$650 megawatt per hour. And the unit cost of liquefied natural gas imported was 8% lower, 8% lower in the second quarter of 2014. As to supply, we highlight an increase of 18% of the import of liquefied natural gas. Supply in therefore 22.1 cubic meters per day but I wanted to highlight the growth of the national gas supply which was 4% reaching a volume of 41.2 million cubic meters per day. This growth is sustainable. And just to give an idea, in July, the volume supply to the natural gas market, domestic was 45.8 million cubic meters per day whereas in August the volume supply were greater than 48 million cubic meters per day. As a result, our gains in margins especially due to the unit cost that was lower for LNG and also an increase in the domestic supply of domestic gas. That’s what I had to say about gas and energy. And it’s also important to say that Procop also delivered results and helped to boost results in gas and energy by lower our management costs not to mention the whole set of factors that led to 22% greater results for gas and energy compared to first quarter 2014. That’s it for now. And now I turn it over to Barbassa.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Thank you, Alcides. Let us have a look at the results. As a result of what we have reported right now in our operations, when we shared gains in all areas, the largest protection and output, higher processing, higher deliveries of domestic production, more gas produced in the country, to be used. So that’s a scenario that led our operating income to grow by 17% in the second quarter vis-à-vis the first quarter. And it was also helped by the Real appreciation. The Real is based on input costs of the product that is sold, imported and sold in Brazil. So we had an appreciation of 6%. The average foreign exchange rate between the first and the second quarter, so that was quite significant in order to improve our operations and therefore increase our operating income. In the first quarter, we also had our improved results by the provision for the voluntary separation incentive plan. And as a result, in terms of cost for the first quarter, we had R$2.4 million which didn’t happen over the second quarter. These two drivers were additional contributions to what we managed to achieve from the operating standpoint in order to improve our results. In the second quarter, we also had a reduction in the exports of oil as Cosenza mentioned before. And in the Brazilian trade balance this is posted as exported. However, it left Brazil but it remains under Petrobras control. And therefore it comes back during the consolidated balance sheet. And therefore this is not posted as result this quarter. In addition, we also had lower disposal of assets in the first quarter. We performed 630 million as assets disposed. And in the first quarter only 230 million. As a result there was a reduction of 400 million between quarters.…

Mario Carminatti

Management

(Interpreted). Good morning. This slide highlights the impacts of our structural programs and also their impact on the company’s net income. As officer Barbassa just said, we had R$5 billion in the second quarter 2014. Net of the structuring programs we would have R$1.9 billion as net income. And if we include Procop, which is the operating expenses optimizing program or producing divest program and PROEF. But today I would like to focus specifically on Procop. This quarter, it contributed with R$1.6 billion. The total savings that we had was R$2.4 billion this quarter. If you look at the full year or the first half of 2014 savings of R$4.9 billion already come into 6.8% of our annual of R$7.3 billion in savings over 2014. So, Procop does show the change in attitude and our efforts and endeavors at Petrobras. And it shows what it means to have our staff continuously committed to productivity trying to exceed Procops goals after 18 months of implementation of the program. These efforts already reflected in indicators like lifting cost, refining cost as our directors showed previously today. But I would like to mention another indication, another indicator on the next slide please. And I would like to share with you the wide coverage of Procop when it comes to general and administrative expenses line. The upper part of the slide shows a chart, where we can see such expenses. On a half yearly basis, 2011 while ‘13 until the first half of 2014. And we highlight how such expenses have evolved from first half 2011 until second half 2012, 15.8% and then 2013, growing 7.8% and now already seeing the effects of Procop. And now from 2013 to first half 2014, growing 1.6% only, and I say only because that’s an expense line that is very much affected by inflation pressure. And here we can show 1.6%. In the lower part of the slide, the mid-chart shows how these expenses are broken. 50% are employee compensation and the other 50% related to data processing, rentals, consulting. We can clearly see, when it comes to expenses, we can see the impact of Procop. Today we have 60 initiatives related to Procop and they cover general and administrative expenses related to flight tickets, agenda for traffic, ground transportation, poor vehicles, beauty management, energy efficiency and IT, putting interest to new devices redundancy etcetera. So, 60 initiatives altogether that allowed us to maintain these expenses year-on-year. And now, at the bottom of the slide, when we check employee compensation, we start to see the impact of PIDV which is the voluntary separation incentive plan. Up to April, we had on average 8,200 employees in administrative or hoarding activities. And in June a drop of 7% in the number of employees for these activities which went down to 7,600 people. So these numbers already reflect the attitude and commitment by Petrobras management and workforce focusing on excellence and governance. Barbassa, over to you.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Okay. Now let’s have a look at the financial ratios. We’ve had as I said already our funding was concentrated in the first quarter so total indebtedness is at the same level as in the end of the first quarter. However, we’ve reduced our cash and cash equivalent or net debt by R$11.6 billion almost R$12 billion. Also here a very interesting piece of information considering the current trend of output growth. What is this piece of information? Well, in the first quarter we consumed approximately R$8 billion in corporate expenses including investments. In addition to what we generated internally that is we increased our net debt by R$8 billion in the first quarter. Now in the second quarter, we’ve increased our debt by R$12 billion but we paid our dividends in the second quarter. On our income of 2013 which is an amount of R$8.7 billion. While this is a one-time expense, at the same time we had a voluntary separation incentive plan which also consumed provisions in the first quarter. But as we look at cash, about 40% of the workforce of that shows to adopt PADV, the voluntary separation incentive plan already left the company in the first quarter. So, we had payments in the second quarter to these former employees when we consider the R$8 billion invested in our operations without any additional expenses in terms of cash in the first quarter, as compared to the second quarter where we consumed R$12 billion, of which R$8.7 million was paid out in dividends and another R$1 billion was used in our voluntary separation incentive plan. So, actually we consumed less cash for our operations, less than R$3 billion actually in the second quarter. This piece of information shows a trend, the trend that we will continue…

Theodore Helms

Management

(Interpreted). Now, the Q&A session will begin.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted) (Operator Instructions). Mr. Kyle Cabral from JPMorgan has a question. Kyle Cabral – JPMorgan: (Interpreted). Good morning, everyone. I have a few questions, I’ll begin taking about refining. I’d like to understand how you view the refining cost after the R-nest came in and what is the ramp up phase. I mean, supposed in the first train, the first refining train begins in November, when will be the second train. I mean the start-up and the ramp-up for the second refining train. And if you can associate that to the overall refining cost? Second question about debt, I’d like to have some more data on CapEx and Foreign Exchange, what do you expect in terms of the evolution of your debt in the next two to three years. These were my two questions for now. Thank you.

Jose Carlos Cosenza

Management

(Interpreted). Kyle Cabral, this is Cosenza. About refining, well, R-nest is going to be our benchmark in terms of cost, it’s not going to bring the cost up. I mean, as soon as we have R-nest is going to become our refining cost benchmark, because it’s a new refinery because it is an extremely sophisticated refinery filled with the latest technology resources. And the company management has to translate all of these advantages in terms of costs. And the refining cost is going to show this. Now the straight up of the first refining train of R-nest is November 4, the second refining train May 2015. R-nest is already starting the start-up procedures, because system by system are being released. There are some areas that for example services, energy generation, water treatment, the distillery. I mean, all of that has already been delivered. We are going through a turnkey process. So that we will begin so that we will begin to receive the equipment, so today, we are checking instruments, we’re cleaning pipelines. So the start-up process for us has already started. And the ramp-up will be quick because of this. I mean, as soon as the unit is ready to begin processing then it will start production. I mean, we want to begin to produce diesel on November 4 to begin to replace imports. Kyle, about the debt, and our prospects for the next two to three years, I shall confirm what we’ve already said in our business and management plan. Considering the evolution we’ve shown you between the first and second quarters 2014 production, I’m talking about oil production, oil products production and energy generation by the company. Our projection is that already during 2015 and by year-end 2015 we will have a positive net cash flow in the company. And from then onwards, then we shall maintain that naturally depending on our business land but I mean, considering the current business and management plan, this is what we expect, a positive net cash flow by year end 2015. Kyle Cabral – JPMorgan: (Interpreted). Okay, thank you.

Jose Carlos Cosenza

Management

(Interpreted). Thank you very much.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Mr. Christian Audi from Santander has a question. Christian Audi – Santander: (Interpreted). Thank you. Yes, I had a few questions for Cosenza, Barbassa and Mario. Cosenza, can you please speak about this term, you’ve used a term here which is current exports or exports underway. I mean, I’d like to understand the export processing a little bit better. Second question is about refining. You mentioned that you will keep this utilization factor of 88%. So does that mean you will not have any downtime scheduled or downtime? And my third question about Procop, can you give us some estimates. The same way you showed the impact of Procop on a few aspects, I’d like to know the impact of Procop in your cash generation and also the impact on EBITDA. And finally talking about debt in 2015, do you already have any plans for funding, I’d like to know the cost of debt for the company this year I mean, until now comparing your recent funding activities to the fund you’ve obtained last year? And my final question, are there any discussions at the board level about a potential adjustment and the timing, I mean, when you would reach your debt targets. And also the magnitude of the GAAP I mean, is this an ongoing discussion at the board or is this a discussion you have only when you prepare the business plan for next year? So, these were my main questions. Please.

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). Okay, Philippe about the utilization factor, we will not have any improvement downtime as we had in hit line. And that’s the reason why we believe we will be able to maintain the same utilization factor as we had in the second quarter. Now you’ve also asked about oil. When we say oil this activity, this transaction of exports will only show in our balance sheet when the owner of that oil changes. I mean, as we transport this oil, it takes about 40 days and that’s why you have this gap, this 40-day gap because the oil is being transported meanwhile. Christian Audi – Santander: (Interpreted). And how are you going to account for that, I mean, does the same thing happen with imports?

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). With imports it’s different. When I have oil products, when I buy oil products at the port of origin, it is already accounted for. So, this is a big difference between imports and exports and the way they are accounted for. Because oil, oil products are accounted for at the time of sale at the point of origin. But if it is oil then it will only be accounted for at the point of destination. So these were the two question about refining, right Philippe? Christian Audi – Santander: (Interpreted). Christian is my name.

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). I apologize, Christian, yes. So, Christian about Procop, we believe that the impact on cash will be the same as we saw in income that is we will no longer have this operating expense, so we will protect our cash flow. And then we will have income tax right, which will of course redo. So we’re talking about R$1.6 billion in terms of cash conservation or cash maintenance. Now, Christian about our funding transactions about funding in 2015, it will less than this year although I cannot disclose figures today. Now the target, the debt target looking at our multiples, our leverage we will continue to work as approved by our board so at year-end 2015 20.5 would be – 2.5 net debt over EBITDA. And for us to attain those target the line or the evolution in terms of our funding or the balance between external funding and internal funding, this is going to happen by the mid-point of 2015 or during 2015. Christian Audi – Santander: (Interpreted). Now, Barbassa, I was trying to understand, is this a continued discussion, is this an ongoing discussion you at the board about the debt status, I mean, so you talk about the need for an adjustment or is this a discussion that happens only when you prepare your business plan, your strategic plan that is at the end of the year?

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Well, Christian, we talk about this in all board meetings that is every time the board meets we track this curve and we look at the evolution of the debt. Christian Audi – Santander: (Interpreted). Now the cost of debt, can you make a comparison between the cost of debt but in 2014 compared to 2013?

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Well, this is public information. Our funding which is the most relevant event, if you look at the international scenario it has changed, it has changed for everyone including for us. So, the debt became more expensive compared to the debt of May 2013. This year in 2014, it is more expensive because the international scenario has changed. We have less liquidity on the international market today, especially because of the action by the U.S. government. So, actually we believe that we’ve had quite good results I mean, the projections we had at the beginning of the year did not materialize. However, what we hear is that the cost of funding will continue to grow. However, further company, it is important to see that we are now growing our production. And this production was funded by historically low funding rates. And this is very relevant for us because the production now was funded by super funds. And now, in the current phase we have a lower demand for third party funds. It means that at the time we needed foreign funds the most, it was the time when we had a lower cost of fund. And now we will have a return in terms of production. Christian Audi – Santander: (Interpreted). Okay, thank you Barbassa.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted) (Operator Instructions). Gustavo Gattass from BTG Pactual has a question. Gustavo Gattass – BTG Pactual: (Interpreted). Good morning everyone. I had two questions that I just wanted to clarify. My first question, if possible Barbassa, could you just comment more about the account in part. We are trying to understand BR Distribuidora and the problem related to the electric industry? You accounted for R$7.2 billion as receivables from the electric industry. However, there is another note from C-Gas showing R$2.6 billion. So, I want to know if there is R$2.6 billion is included in R$7.2 billion or if that’s an additional account. And if possible that Electrobras would already be offsetting this payment in a more robust manner. So I just would like to understand your comments. And my second question is, you have just discussed the leverage of 2.5 times. So, I would just like to confirm, our understanding is that every board meeting you would be considering getting to 2.5 times, without having to increase gasoline and diesel prices. And our understanding was that you could wait, at least up to now. So, according to my math, I don’t get it. So, I would just like to understand your attitude by the board is the company or does the company still envisage any possibility to get to this leverage level without having to increase prices in the short-term? Thank you. Gustavo Gattass – BTG Pactual: (Interpreted). Gattass, electric sector. The two amounts or the two values are separate here. We are not adding this gas that you mentioned. There is a huge effort, by the way we always made that effort but this effort became more intense, significantly more intense for the last two or three months. We’re trying to find a solution to this scenario. And…

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Gattas, I don’t have all the figures about BR with me right now. I can send you later if you want. And I can confirm if you’re calculation is correct. But you’re right, there was an increase in debt and therefore allocation of resources to meet that goal this quarter. Gustavo Gattass – BTG Pactual: (Interpreted). Thank you, Barbassa.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). You’re welcome.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Luiz Carvalho from HSBC has a question. Luiz Carvalho – HSBC: (Interpreted). Good morning everyone. I have two questions. Just to follow-up to the leverage question Barbassa. You clearly mentioned 2.5 net debt over EBITDA ratio up to the end of next year. So, is this the total the 35% for the total is maintained right? And is this in line with what you said before? And the second question is to Formigli. Formigli, we’ve been seeing some movements by ANP in terms of the utilization process, we’ve also heard from Sapinhoá and other processes that are taking place in parallel and others are about to startup. Considering Petrobras and ANP discourse in terms of a possible direct transfer of rise to Petrobras, how about any possible additional payments in the areas that might be added or acquired by Petro directly related to ANP and to the union and what about the local content, and obviously any impact on your CapEx structure? Thank you.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Carvalho, answering your question about net debt over net capital which today is at 40%, our goal remains to lower it down to 35%. However, we must admit that this is a Real-denominated leverage. The bulk of our debt is in dollars. Therefore, it is heavily affected by the foreign exchange rate. And this impact from foreign exchange rate is also important for de-leveraging purposes. So that’s a variable lowering debt by using the payment of the principle is one thing but doing it related to foreign exchange variation is a totally different impact considering the dollar denominated debt. So, in this case we have to consider foreign exchange contribution and in this measure of Real-denominated leverage, well we want to improve it. But reaching fully 35% it takes also a different assumption of foreign exchange performance that should be favorable, would have to be favorable to us. But at the end of the day what becomes even more significant is the leverage in dollars which doesn’t have the same impact. And which is expected to be met. Luiz Carvalho – HSBC: (Interpreted). Thank you.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). And now I give the floor to Formigli.

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). Luiz, the two examples that you mentioned of unitization with the sharing model of areas that today are under concession like Sapinhoá and Lula. What I can tell you is that these are marginal volumes which are outside the ring fence both for Lula and Sapinhoá. We are under negotiations with the government, particularly with PPSA and ANP. The topic is considered priority by these two authorities. Consortia both for 9 Sapinhoá and also with 11 with Lula are also coming to a schedule as disclosed by ANP last week. This was announced publicly by the press. And this is fully compatible with our implementation of the project. There is no sign of threat to the project scheduled. In addition, as to your concern about local content and CapEx, there is virtually no impact at all. Since we’re speaking of very low volumes compared to the volumes that are within the ring fence and this is crystal clear and present when we discuss with the agency. Luiz Carvalho – HSBC: (Interpreted). Now, if you’re addressing, you’re talking about sharing, I understood you were referring to these two areas, right?

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). Right. Luiz Carvalho – HSBC: (Interpreted). Now, just a follow-up question. Should you really acquire this volume even though it is margin as you said, any intention to contract a certifying agency or independent certified agency as you did with the transfer rise just in order to certify the barrels or would it be something that might not be, so visible. As I said before these volumes in Sapinhoá and Lula are really small. We don’t see any reason to have this kind of contract for such tiny volumes. Please bear in mind that this topic would exist anyway if you were having unitization with another adjacent block and which required negotiation with another contortion. So, in this case, volumes are really small. And there is no impact of the economics of the project, okay. Luiz Carvalho – HSBC: (Interpreted). Okay, thank you.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Mr. Bruno Montanari from Morgan Stanley has a question. Bruno Montanari – Morgan Stanley: (Interpreted). Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity. My questions have been answered but I still have a few other points. The question to Cosenza, looking at your wide guidance of refining cost announced in the first and second quarters, we could see an increase between 5% and 7% if it’s in Reals or dollars. I’d like to understand the driver of this increase although it’s not very significant. And a question to Formigli, about variations, in terms of income tax when you have operations abroad, I’d like to understand if you have any provisions in the context of service providers which would allow for Petrobras to transfer or to pass on these additional taxes?

Jose Carlos Cosenza

Management

(Interpreted). Bruno, could you please repeat the question. I did not understand your question about refining cost. Bruno Montanari – Morgan Stanley: (Interpreted). At the end of the first quarter, you presented a guidance of R$173 per barrel for 2014 and this amount has gone up to almost R$7 per barrel. I’d like to understand why the increase in the cost guidance?

Jose Carlos Cosenza

Management

(Interpreted). Well, this was a nice elated effect basically vacation on this period. So it was a one-time event afterwards it went back to the original amount. I mean, this is the data we have today.

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). Bruno, this is Formigli, about our position regarding income tax on the chartering or chartering contracts of rigs and vessels. This is a topic of discussion we are holding this discussion in our associations and also discussing this with the Brazilian Internal Revenue Service. This topic is being treated adequately, the discussion is fair. And we shall not make comments about the news that have been published about position vis-à-vis these contracts we have with service providers. Because this issue, this topic is still at a level where we shall not disclose more information about the discussion we’ve had with these providers. Okay. Bruno Montanari – Morgan Stanley: (Interpreted). Okay, thank you.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Now we have a question in English, Mr. Frank McGann from Bank of America Merrill Lynch has a question. Frank McGann – Bank of America Merrill Lynch: Hello, good day. Two questions if I could. One is just in terms of lifting cost for pre-salt. You mentioned that you extract the cost continue to come down from $9. I was wondering what you think an ultimate average type of lifting cost could be for the pre-salt areas plus specifically continued to be one of the most productive plus the average you have maybe in other areas. And then secondly, what is the status now of any planned asset sales going forward, are you targeting what you see happening over the next 12 to 18 months?

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Well, we always made it public that this number of $9 was feasible for the pre-salt layer. And now we are demonstrating that this will materialize. Any additional projections will depend on the continuity of the current productivity we’ve had in most of our wells. So, the number we’ve disclosed and the number we use as a basis for our projects in terms of lifting cost is $9 per barrel. Are we happy with this number? No. We believe we still have an opportunity to improve but we cannot yet disclose what this margin would be at least not until we are safe that we can actually talk about that. As I said before, our productivity is still very high. We now have another well Lula 28 heading more production to our curve. And as soon as we can reach the top of the platform with only four productive wells, although we still have the cost of CO2, water injection, I mean the current cost is highly competitive no doubt about this. Even when compared to our projections for these projects. Another number that has been maintained is the breakeven for the pre-salt layer concession area without considering infrastructure, $45 per barrel. As you add the infrastructure to evacuate gas, then the number goes up to about $50 per barrel. Again, these projects are extremely attractive in economic terms. Thank you.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). We have another question in English, (inaudible) from Tudor Pickering Holt would like to ask a question.

Unidentified Analyst

Management

Good morning everybody. Just a couple of questions from the operational side. So, if you were to give the sort of priority to development of the pre-salt fee, in particular in media, Franco, you are Jupiter or Carcara, which would your priority for developing this field? And my second is just based on the information that we got to go on Lula, when do you expect to see the growth or when do you expect to see first signs of decline at the Lula field? Thank you.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Regardless of translation or the name of the fields I can tell you that our priorities remain the same in terms of our business and management plan for 2014 and 2018. Everything you see there still applies. Continuity of projects under concession that we had sanctioned before Lula, Sapinhoá and projects that are concession later on are also present, Carcara, Sednabi, which is Iracema de Lula area. They will be, as expected, in our schedule. Jupiter was also mentioned just as Carcara, they will start up as of 2018 and ‘19. We also mention Buzios or the former Franco the transfer of rights area very clear there. The first output is 2016 for the transfer right. So it keeps up and running. The outcome from, the wells are very important platforms in progress so, first oil within the deadline and all the other areas of transfer rights according to our business plan.

Unidentified Analyst

Management

What about Libra?

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). What still applies is the standard well test by late 2016. There is even a bidding process and we got the proposals. This is under negotiation for FPSO and the extended well test and the first oil is expected in 2020 by Libra already announced by the contortion, the five partners plus PPSA. And surplus from transfer of rights has already announced during the resolution disclosure. These are areas that as we speak are being discussed with the government when it comes to detail of the corresponding contracts. In our economic analysis, we expect first oil for 2021. Any changes to the schedule will be announced in a timely manner for business plan 2015/19. But what really applies, are the deadlines that I’ve just mentioned. You had another question about the drop or decline. Luckily up to now there are no signs of a decline that characterizes big extension of the area. Obviously in our simulations, we have something predicted in the decline. Our geology model and the flow model, both models have engaged. I think we are bullish when it comes to the results of these models but we don’t have any forecast in order to announce any decline. The words as we speak, there is no kind of sign of reduction be it in water production or a drop in pressure, a significant drop that might lower out output levels that we’ve managed to maintain both in commercial and TLD areas. Because a very important extended well test right now is for Yada. And we also manage to deliver from 29,000 to 30,000 barrels of oil per day which is a great sign for our production development projects in this area. Thank you.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). We have another question in English John Rome from Northwestern has a question. Mr. John, please go ahead. John Rome – Northwestern: Hello, can you hear me? Hello. Hello.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Please go ahead, sir. John Rome – Northwestern: Hello.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). John, you may ask your question, please. John Rome – Northwestern: Thank you. With respect to the pre-salt wells, have you changed your completion designs that all as time has progressed and what are you seeing in terms of today’s well productivity versus wells just started a few years ago? And my other follow-up is are there any FPSO facility turnarounds that we should be aware of?

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). As to the pre-salt product, as the design I would say the main change that we had to make has to do with the approval of the flexible lines. And therefore we have an option to connect the wells to the platforms with flexible lines using the PLSV fleet which is what we usually use at Petrobras very successfully. And certainly we might even have the rigid alternative be it in the coupled version or not. And this is represented by the still wave risers that can be directly connected to the platform, that steel lays wave risers or the sub-sea buoyancy system and both for Cidade de São Paulo and Cidade de Paraty. But our traditional option for the flexible lines, we manage to have the lines approved with a lifecycle that can make the projects very feasible. And then we have all the flexibility behind the concept what we manage our portfolio. The second question was about well yield or well productivity. When we sanctioned this projected we considered or we still consider productivity of about 20,000 barrels of oil per day. And today, our output ranges between 30,000 to 36,000 barrels of oil per day. Obviously it brings a very good impact both for Lula and Sapinhoá. And at the end of the day, we can have higher economics compared to sanctioned projects. However, we continue with this level of production be under concession or with a transfer of rights because Petrobras understands we need more time elapsed so we can change that in our projects. And you asked a question about the turnaround or something about some FPSO related to what’s happening in our production. If you’re speaking of a turnaround in FPSO already installed, so we don’t need any change at all. But plans up to now have been managing to handle very well the characteristics of the projects. And both gas out or CO2 can be handled properly by the plants onboard. No matter if they are Cidade Angra Dos Reis 100,000 and two units Cidade de São Paulo and Paraty at 120,000. And as of the fourth quarter, Mangaratiba and Ilhabela are greater with 150,000. If I understood what you mentioned by turnaround in your question, I may have asked or answered your question. But if you want to know something else, don’t hesitate to ask again. John Rome – Northwestern: Okay.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Pedro Medeiros from Citi Bank has a question. Pedro Medeiros – Citi Bank: (Interpreted). Good morning everyone. I have a question about CapEx and then two more questions very straight forward questions. But first about CapEx, we could see that the CapEx of the first half and the second quarter had a drop in Reals as well as in dollars. If we look at the investment rate, the total CapEx for the year seems to be lower than what we can see in your business and management plan. Now, can you tell us whether the investment rate would be maintained until year-end, was there any change, should we get ready for a reduction compared to your announcement in the beginning of the year. And do you already know how we are going to have the unitization of the new areas as announced last month? And now, I have a very straight forward question to Formigli. Could you give us a breakdown looking at the output for August, because you gave us the overall number? And I’d like to know the specific production from 59, 62 and 55 because these are the three most relevant platforms for this quarter? And next question whether you are going to make changes in your refining facilities especially regarding gasoline and diesels and how these changes will translate into the output for the next quarters?

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Okay, beginning from your question about CapEx, we maintain the projections announced early this year. Although the performance in the second quarter is a little bit lower or a little bit behind our expectations. However, our projects are evolving as expected. And so, the CapEx for this year shall be maintained. Now I give the floor to Formigli, he will speak about the payment for the transfer of rates. Pedro Medeiros – Citi Bank: (Interpreted). Okay, Barbassa. Before you give the floor to Formigli, so, this quarter, the performance was in-line with what you’ve expected. I mean, there was no improvement or no lagging behind compared to the budget?

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). That’s right, that’s correct.

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). Okay, Pedro. About the payment of the R$2 billion bonus, currently we are conducting negotiations with the government. And the only thing I can tell you right now is that the schedule we have announced until year-end, we expect to have these payments as announced. I cannot really give you further details.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Yes, I think he asked about this transfer of rights. Pedro Medeiros – Citi Bank: (Interpreted). So, you’re speaking about the R$2 billion bonus associated to the surplus in the transfer of rates, I mean, because we only have to pay a bonus on the surplus?

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). That’s right. Because this is still outstanding as you negotiate the contract. Right, so my answer was correct. Our schedule is being fulfilled we are conducting weekly meetings between the government and Petrobras. However, I cannot tell you exactly what month we will pay these R$2 billion. About August production, look here, this is only one week production in August. It was a good output. It shows, it clearly shows our production potential which is growing in time, we have new wells. Pedro Medeiros – Citi Bank: (Interpreted). Where is that coming from?

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). Well, it’s coming from where we have new oil, new oil being added P-55, P-58 and P-62. These are the largest platforms. But as we’ve started up, one well in the pre-salt layer that’s also additional. When you have a production downtime, and we continue to have downtimes, we’ve just announced our production in July when we had an average stoppage of 41,000 barrels per day and we will continue to have our downtime because this is part of our activity, this is part of our business. You spoke about new oil it’s coming from these new platforms. But our output will vary in time. We will have more new oil coming in, new wells in P-63 we also have transfer of wells that we’re in FPSO Brazil to P-54 and also to P-52. So this oil existed in the past, today it’s not there but it will come back in the next weeks or months. I think this was your last question, right? Pedro Medeiros – Citi Bank: (Interpreted). Okay. I also asked a question to Cosenza about the expansion of the refining capacity?

Jose Carlos Cosenza

Management

(Interpreted). Yes, you asked about additional production of diesel and gasoline in the next few months, right. Well, in Barbassa’s presentation, in his last slide, you could see our contribution for oil products. And this is comparing quarters. So, we are delivering about 90,000 barrels per day in terms of diesel and gasoline production. Now, gasoline, as I told you, we are using our logistic infrastructure, we are transferring product from one place to another using coastal navigation that is we’re using our logistic infrastructure better. Now about diesel, diesel was more difficult because this product comes basically from the utilization of our facilities but from 840 to 917 barrels per day because we now have in fact, HDT which will bring another 2,000 barrels of new diesel, diesel which was not being made. And now that startup of our nest, 70% of the oil coming in there will come out as diesel, it is going to be our best diesel conversion. So these are our projections for the short and mid-term, okay? Pedro Medeiros – Citi Bank: (Interpreted). Okay, thank you.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Auro Rozenbaum from Bradesco has a question. Auro Rozenbaum – Bradesco: (Interpreted). Good morning. Yes, I have two questions. First, taking from this last question asked, I’d like to know about the increase in gasoline output and the better use of infrastructure. That is you had a limit in the production of gasoline but this was not a limit of in terms of capacity of the refineries. It was actually a problem or a limit in the use of infrastructure. I’d like to know more if you could bring some more colors to this. My second question is about oil imports in the second quarter from 359 in the first quarter to 534 in the second quarter? And I’d like to understand a bit more details about this.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). In our calculations, simple mathematics, the use of oil, the additional need for oil seemed to be lower than in previous quarters, I mean, considering an increase of 50,000 barrels per day in terms of output, a decrease in exports, perhaps it’s not that – perhaps it’s only in transit and also an increase of 43k in throughput or processes feedstock. But we could see an increase of 165,000 barrels a day and a comment that this could have contributed to improve our cost. Now I can believe that most of the imports are now in the inventory. But there is also an implication and cost, of course we only have access to public information. And so, I’d like to have your help to try and understand these numbers, how can we reconcile the 54,000 barrels of imports with the numbers that you’ve shown us today.

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). Well, other, rate Auro. Okay, well, about logistics, they – I mean, when you have to change logistics you have to study the processes, I mean it’s not easy to decide a pipeline that you were using for three products, now you’re going to use the same pipeline for two products. And you cannot stop or you cannot decrease your supply so we are exchanging a few pipelines. We are – we had pipelines being used by two or three products and now they’re being used for only one or two products. But we are improving also the utilization of these pipelines. Basically we use pipelines for diesel and gasoline but we are now studying different ways of operating our pipelines. And these are efforts we are conducting right now, it’s underway but it’s a very complex effort because it – I mean, we always have to be very careful because we must ensure the supply to the market. So that’s something we have to be very careful about. And at the same time, we are working on improving our logistics. But in the second half of the year, we will have higher volumes. And the preparation of gasoline which is something we did not do in the past, we are doing this on different points and different places of the Brazilian Coast, because we have difficulty in terms of storage tanks. And the fractions that make up gasoline, if we have them available in our refineries then it will bring important gains it’s not that we did not think about that in the past. Much to the contrary we have been working on this, especially in the REFAP and REPLAN because they could complement each other. But now the logistic effort is expanding throughout the whole country. I’m…

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). We don’t see the same number actually. So I believe that we could perhaps talk one-on-one, try to understand your numbers more specifically because our in-transit numbers are less than half of this number you mentioned. In-transit means that it is being transported in a vessel, 130 approximately 130,000 barrels per day, half of what you mentioned. Auro Rozenbaum – Bradesco: (Interpreted). Okay, yes. I will visit you next week and we can talk about that.

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). Yes, please do that. Come here and talk to us so we will clarify these numbers. Thank you.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Paula Kovarsky from Itau BBA has a question. Paula Kovarsky – Itau BBA: (Interpreted). Good morning everyone. I have two questions. The first question is to Formigli, I think we have to congratulate but you’ve been managing to deliver output volumes. Formigli, what are your concerns or why do you consider to be a risk for the second half of the year and your expectations for grower output for 2015 considering the past and whatever is on track? And maybe even more importantly we’re beginning to hear that we can see that there has been some moves in order to try and anticipate any possible delay for platform delivery by 2016 and ‘17 when we have a higher risk of local content due to more platforms to startup in Brazil and ensure production growth. And therefore you would already start to send a couple of things to be done overseas, particularly the hulks. Paula Kovarsky – Itau BBA: (Interpreted). So, what about the dynamics, how do you see restriction to local content. Do you continue to be confident that despite all that you continue to improve the output at a longer term for 2016 and ‘17? So how do you track and follow-up these things down the road? My second question is to Barbassa, I’m sorry to go back to the indebtedness level but I wonder if you could share with us the assumptions for oil and also foreign exchange that make you believe that by the end of 2015, indebtedness level would be 8.5 times. I guess, everybody who is participating in this call has a hard time to get to this number, maybe you’re using different assumptions and maybe you can help us clarify this? Thank you.

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). Paula, I can tell you that on behalf of the whole management and E&P team, I thank you for your compliment. You can be sure that all employees will get to know both the criticism and acknowledgement by you analysts because I know how important your point of view is vis-à-vis what we deliver. So, first of all, I thank you for your kind words. Now answering your questions obviously the second half of the year demands very remarkable growth in production, in rates equivalent or even higher than we had in previous months. So, we can – we achieved this 7.5 or 1% target. Paula Kovarsky – Itau BBA: (Interpreted). So what about the main issues?

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). I don’t think they are a point of concerns, they are more than concerns they are occupations. Paula Kovarsky – Itau BBA: (Interpreted). So, where do we focus our strongest efforts today?

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). First of all, when it comes to Papa Terra project, we want to make sure that we manage to have the rig-up of the rig, the tender assisted drilling within our schedule. So, we can really start-up production, which is just critical for the fourth quarter. So P-63 is under control and we manage to anchor both units. We have their proximity two weeks ago and now we are in the rig phase. So that’s what’s happening in Papa Terra that’s what we remain busy now. And obviously we want to continue interconnecting the wells. Another very important point is to work side-by-side with our schedule for PLSV, so we can connect the 33 production wells and also the injector wells that are also very important, we are also working on them. In statistics we show production wells but we want to maintain productivity gains and then you might say, do you see our Visa coming up, that’s true and that’s why we have people working on acceptance tests overseas. So once they get here, the time to be released by authorities in Brazil, so we can really go offshore be the shortest possible with a very low number of tests. So that’s an very important action. Another critical item Paula is diligent production of wet Christmas trees and flexible lines. You might ask, is it everything ready, nearly everything. And we also have some trees that have to be delivered in future months. No kind of delay but we need them to be delivered by manufacturers, so that’s another critical item. As to Mangaratiba and Ilhabela, the fact that the units are ready well, so to speak they’re almost at hand. And as soon as they get to the location we need to focus on anchoring operations, properly…

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). Got it. So, local content vis-à-vis delivered date for the units. The delivery term in 2016, if you look at our business and management plan, this is critical. It must happen. So we have another inflexion in our output corrupt to get 3.2 by 2018. So, with that we are already working heavily particularly Figueiredo, our Director working with units for 2016 and ‘17. When you ask me if we are allocating some units overseas, what we are doing is to render services that don’t threaten local content in our contract with the agency. We have emphasized a lot that our priority is the output curve. We’ll keep on tracking it, any cost. And we’ll have the local content as a policy, as a condition. And whatever we realized there is an opportunity to lower risks, in terms of the delivery date of the plant and with no threat to the minimum contract terms with ANP so we can really do part or the hulk version or part of the module overseas, we will certainly manage that. We need to make it happen so we can be sure we have the units delivered within this schedule which doesn’t mean that we are really making a lot of efforts with our shipyards and the construction sites for the modules so they stick to the delivery schedule. We’ve been having weekly meetings both in-house and also with suppliers in this case, EPC agents. So things really happen according to our agreements. Up to now, if you ask me, if you have any problems with the agency, the answer is no. We’ve been managing to meet our contracts. So we don’t expect at least for these projects any contract problems when it comes to local content. If there is any reason or justification for negotiation purposes, we’ll certainly contact E&P but so far no reason to do that. Paula Kovarsky – Itau BBA: (Interpreted). So, just double checking, you mentioned 41,000 barrels per day of maintenance cost or scheduled maintenance. Is this what you expect to see again in the second half or would it be around 60,000 as usual?

Jose Miranda Formigli

Management

(Interpreted). The 41,000 is the number written on our production note that was announced today. Actually it was disclosed this weekend but we repeated it again today. In the second half of the year, usually our downtime levels might be higher. And that’s what we would do this year too. So that the average this year would be around the same average we had last year. It is with this projection that we’ll be doing our business. So, these stoppages are necessary. We can’t avoid them, we want to lower ours and you can be sure that just as we control the startup day of the new plants, we also control the units of each one of the scheduled maintenance actions. (Inaudible) worked all-day long with general managers of each unit. We know the difference it makes at the end of the day just a couple of hours in production. So, answering your question, the level or average level of stoppages over 2014 would be similar to 2013. Therefore the second half of the year we expect to see a slightly higher level of stoppages compared to the first half, okay? Paula Kovarsky – Itau BBA: (Interpreted). Okay.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Paula, as to the assumptions we used in our projections here, first of all we have the business and management plan. In terms of crude oil, it would be around R$105 this year and over time migrating to R$100 per barrel. So, for 2015, we might expect around R$105. As to foreign exchange rate, in our business and management plan which was the base to project the leverage by the end of 2010 – I’ll correct it myself, 2015, it was 2.10. But according to projections, we do have some leeway or a possibility to meet our goals if we have 2.30 foreign-exchange rate, so these are the assumptions we work with. Paula Kovarsky – Itau BBA: (Interpreted). So this leeway assumption implies significant increases in diesel and gasoline right?

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). We’ve always worked in this area searching for parity. We are not considering day price. Paula Kovarsky – Itau BBA: (Interpreted). Thank you Barbassa.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). You’re welcome.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Mrs. Lilyanna Yang from UBS has a question. Lilyanna Yang – UBS: (Interpreted). Thank you for the opportunity I have two questions. One is, also about prices, there was a process that CVM who’s vote was not posted in the meeting at that time, at that time which was in February. But it seems to me in February 2014, the board of Petrobras said in the meeting that there was zero probability for the company to reach the target debt level if the prices of diesel and gasoline were to be maintained. This was in February, now we’re in August. And so I’d like to understand what has changed. When you say that you will be able to achieve your target debt? And another question related to that, whose responsibility is it for the prices to be maintained? Is this under the board’s responsibility or the management? And the other question goes to Formigli, I’d like to understand if we can quantify penalties or fines that ANP has issued against companies or operators because of not meeting the local content and if this number is expected to grow in the future? Thank you. Maria das Graças: (Interpreted). Hi Lilyanna. I will begin to answer talking about local content versus fines. At this time, ANP is talking to us, we are presenting answers to audit questions about a few blocks the fifth, sixth and the seventh round of bidding. And if you look at the potential of fines, we still don’t have numbers. Lilyanna Yang – UBS: (Interpreted). Why not? Maria das Graças: (Interpreted). Well, of course we work with different scenarios but we are showing ANP, we are showing the agency evidence that either we attain that level of local content as we see in the contract. And if we do not especially during the exploratory phase we would have to prepare justification for that. However, what I can tell you now is that in Petrobras opinion, this is going to be a small number. I’m not going to, I’m not going to continue in this discussion because I understand that we are currently presenting our evidence to ANP to the government agency. Of course now, the agency will have to accept or not our documents. If they do not then we shall find other evidence for ANP to accept our response. And only after that then we begin to talk about the possible of a fine. Let me now give the floor to Almir, he will answer your questions, your other questions.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Well, your question about what was said in February and what is said today, well, there are variables that have changed in this period of time. One of them was the appreciation of Brazilian Real, which is very relevant. So, these are different points in time. And in each point in time, there are different variables that have to be considered. We may have a situation where we did not where considering all the variables at that time when we believed we would not be able to attain the debt target. But these factors have changed in so what we have today leads us to the conclusion that we will be able to attain the debt target, considering the numbers we have, considering the projections I mentioned, we believe this target can be achieved at the end of 2015. Thank you. Lilyanna Yang – UBS: (Interpreted). Now in fact the output outlook remains the same, it is still solid but it’s not bigger than before. And when we talk about the foreign exchange it helps very little in this mathematics. I can therefore understand that considering price increase has not yet been approved then in fact we would perhaps expect a higher price increase in the future. That’s how I understand that. Thank you.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Well, then it depends on what happens to the variables and the way you include these variables in your economic model. But our target is very much consistent with the projections and the data we have so far. Lilyanna Yang – UBS: (Interpreted). Perfect. Thank you.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). Thank you.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Thank you. And at this time, the Q&A session of the Petrobras conference call is over. CFO Almir Barbassa will now make his final remarks. Please Mr. Barbassa.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa

Management

(Interpreted). One more time, I would like to thank you all for participating in this meeting, talking about the results of the second quarter 2014. I hope to see you all in our meeting in the third quarter. We will continue to work to deliver our targets to grow our output in the company’s results. Thank you.

Operator

Operator

(Interpreted). Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, the audio of this conference for replay and slides presentation will be available at the Petrobras IR website at www.petrobras.com.br/ri. This concludes today’s conference call. Thank you very much for your participation. Please hang up your telephones and have a great day.